old phazer

Can anyone tell me if a 540 engine will run in both directions (like a golf cart engine)? I've got a project i'm working on and reversing rotation would make things easier.

RJ Gleason

Any 2 stroke can be reversed.
You will need a way to adjust the timing so it will run in either direction.

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kccats

Yep! Everyone seems to think that the push button rev is new! Hardly, Yamaha and Eze Go did it 30 years ago!

old phazer

That's what got the wheels turning. I was giving the yamaha golf cart a tune up and got to thinking, if I could mount the starter/gen. on the 540 with the polarity reversing electricals off of the golf cart, I might be able to make the cart a little faster. plus it will pull my trailers a little better.
The motor thats in it now is 295 cc and it's getting tired from the wife driving it back and forth to work for the last few years.
I've got a twisted srv 540 that's got a strong motor just waiting to be plundered for a project like this.

kccats

It might be alot easier to just rework the motor you already have!

old phazer

I agree, it would be easier and cheaper to go through the stock motor, but they are designed for low rpm's. I'm looking to build a toy and they're more fun with a mod or 2. A sled motor should be quite a bit "quicker" and run higher rpm for more top end.
I'm just not real familiar with snowmobile engines yet. the only thing i've had to do to mine are carb cleanings. I guess i'll just have to tear one down and see how they're built so I can figure this out.
The timing is one of the issues, do they have a chain or an electronic pick up of some sort?

yamadad4

electronic pickup. timing is achieved by setting the stator plate and pulsor coil in relation to piston tdc.

never really pushed the issue for rpms, but if you have access, watch the way the clutch rotates when pulling the recoil rope. then wrap a rope around the clutch as to pull it in the opposite of normal rotation. should fire in a few pulls then monitor the rpm.

you may have to think in reverse to gain optimum performance with the timing if the rpms arent where they should be.

old phazer

Thanks yamadad4. So the motor will run forward or reverse without changing the timing? I'm not looking for high rpm when reversing, what i'm trying to do is mount the starter/generator with reversing polarity from a golf cart on the engine and use it in a golf cart.
If it will run both directions then my biggest challenge will be putting the clutch/pulley combination on it and mounting the starter.

yamadad4

the primary clutch shouldnt care which way it spins, but the secondary clutch will based on orientation. its a single direction design on a snowmobile not equipped with reverse.

reversing polarity makes sense with the starter, uncharted waters for me. the generator shouldnt care about rotation either in theory.

the engine will run fine spinning the opposite direction to a point, based on my experiences, never really revved one up running opposite.

i have had limited experiences with backwards running 2 strokes. most were a surprise when noticed and the the kill switch was quickly used. imagine dropping your yz 465 into gear and having it go backwards.

old phazer

I'll be using the secondary thats on the cart. It's designed to go both ways.

If you ever get a chance, take a look at a gas golf cart drive set up. the engine runs one direction for forward and the other for reverse. It's actually a very simple system using a primary and secondary clutch between the engine and rear axle.
The engines are designed for low rpm/high torque and an average speed of 11-13 mph.
I have mine turned up but it really stresses the engine. If i'm thinking right,
a sled engine should be a better choice for my "street" carts.

old phazer

And the YZ in reverse sounds scary. Did you go far before you got it stopped?

kccats

I've reworked an EZgo to run at about 45mph, it's simply in the govenor! That 540 SRV will run that golf cart at well over 100mph! But don't forget you will have to use the exhaust pipe that came with the sled! With out that motor will be a real puoch!

old phazer

Funny you say that. I just got back from buying an 82' ez go with a steel body and a destroyed engine that will become frankenstein.
After finding this I decided to freshen up the yamaha and modify this ez go. It has more room in the engine compartment and the engine's already trash. The guy who had it took the governor off and his kids blew it up (dang kids),which works out good for me.
I'm not looking for 100 mph, but a little "WTF" will be fun. I think I can work the exhaust to get the air flow and still keep it at a respectable decible level. I'll just have to keep an eye on the plugs for a while so I don't burn it down.