Old Nolan Cart with 10 inch Driven Comet Rear End

[Dizysoul]

I picked an old Nolan utility cart off an auction.
The engine is missing, and it has a Comet rear end.
There is only enough of the tag left on the rear end to read "Comet", so I'm having a lot of trouble finding any information about what Comet system was originally on it.
I have a Vanguard 12.5 motor that I want to use in it, but I need help to figure out what clutch to by for the driver.
It's a cool old cart with diamond tread plating, and a cargo carrier on roof.
I want to use it for commercial film production to carry gear to and from the trucks and film sets, so I'm trying to make something with more torque than speed.
If I can get it running, I'm going to strip it and paint with a military motif, probably O.D. green with some nomenclature and warning signs, etc...
Any help is appreciated!
Best,

Daniel Laurine

[smallblock450sl]

You'll need the crankshaft output end dimenssions (tapered or straight) what size (straight 1 or 1 1/8th and keyway measurement). This should be doable

[Dizysoul]

The vanguard I have has a 1" straight with 1/4 key way slot.

[roady89]

Cart parts plus carries a few, they have a few for the 1" shaft. Any of them should work. Looks like you have plenty of room. I'd stay away from the comet 94c clutches....they are cheaper but I've read many people switch to a different drive clutch and gain speed and power. As far as the belt.....thats a good question...give tom at cpp a call and he can help with that. He's the only one I know that specializes in that kind of stuff...I'm sure there's others.You'll likely need to set the belt up on the engine/drive and driven to get the right set up then mark your holes to drill.


That key switch look like the clone engine-honda type key start that mounts to the cooling tin....exactly. Someone probly had a swap in at some time.


It looks like it will be a super simple swap.

[Dizysoul]

I figure once I'm sure what clutch to buy, I can measure the distance between the shafts and buy a belt accordingly.
I'll leave the mounting adjustable to fine tune it.
I'm wanting to get this running on the cheap to make sure I can rent it out and make it pay for itself.
If it pans out, then I can start with the upgrades.
I'm a props stylist in commercial films, so I will probably pick a theme and then go overboard. I like the idea of a P-51 theme with the shark teeth painted on the front.
Lots of toggle switches, etc...
But for now, I need to get it mobile.
Will I be able to wire the key switch that's currently mounted to operate the Vanguard?
I also have to figure out the exhaust, I'll need it quiet a possible to be around a film set.
As it sits now, the engine will make contact with the seat, so should I raise the seat and insulate it, or modify the engine mount.
I could bolt the plate on the underside of the frame and gain a inch, or add spacers and lower it even more.
Any ideas from members who have conquered these problems is greatly appreciated.
The clutch selection just seems like the "Black Arts" to me.
I have a comet on my kids go kart and it works great.
But I've heard a lot from local mechanics that say if it's not "just right", the cart wont have any power and I'll have wasted money.
Again any help is appreciated!