so, I have this old midget racer I am redoing, tell me what I have..

I sent this link to noted 1/4 midget restorer Gregg Kishline in Kenosha Wisconsin. He responded with the following:
The 6:1 gearbox was used for one reason only.
On the typical 1/20 mile parking lot ovals, engines like the Continentals need 8:1, 9:1, or 10:1 final drive ratios (unless they're headed off to Bonneville). The smallest sprocket (#35 chain) you can get on a Continental engine (with or without a clutch) is about 12 teeth.

Do the math - 6:1 is 72 teeth, 7:1 is 84 teeth on the big sprocket (on the rear axle), 8:1 is 96 teeth, 9:1 is 108 teeth, and 10:1 is 120 teeth. It is damned difficult to find a sprocket with more than 72 teeth, and at 9:1 your sprocket is larger than the wheel. So either you use a jackshaft or you achieve that final drive ratio by combining the 6:1 gearbox with 2 sprockets that give you roughly 1.5:1. Multiply 6 x 1.5 and you're at 9.

However, #35 chain wouldn't stand up to the push-starting loads, and so they went with heavier #40 chain, because it handles the loads imposed by the 6:1 gearbox, coupled with push-starting. That's it, in a nutshell.

 

Midget that was at LSRU this year. Check out the flattie in it !

 

i found mine last year in the scrap yard...it was a mess...posted and most here said it was home built....but as time has progressed, i have found the factory engine tag under lots of grime riveted to the back side of the seat....1955 briggs and straton 8 hp with a 6.5:1 reduction...

i threw it together this spring, dropped a 6.5Hp harbor freight ohv motor on it..35 chain setup (was on the original axel and antique sprocket mount)35 tooth, 15 tooth clutch and the damn thing is scarey fast....steering is soooo tight , ya can tell it was built for going in circles





damn laptop....i'll measure my wheel base today for ya...sweet ride ya got....that rack setup is bad ass looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wow, this is a cool looking car! I really like the 37 bonnet welded in there! Im planing on building something similar for my daughter's Christmas present, as she is just about out grown her pedal car. Any chance of some rolling chassis photos and finished photos?
Thanks Aaron.

Sent from my SM-G360G using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Stumbled in this thread while researching my current purchase.
Got some good info.
Been awhile since I was a regular on the board but drop in from time to time.
Mine was started off plans from Popular Mechanics in the 60's.
A fabricator by trade started building it for his son, they moved, life got in the way and the kid outgrew it. After that is got put away till now.
Was told it was slated for Cushman power.
What has been done is very good quality work.
Though it might add to/revive the. the thread.