1980 Spitfire Rehab!

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
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427cobra
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:00 am
Real Name: Eric
Location: Metamora IL

1980 Spitfire Rehab!

Post by 427cobra »

I picked up a pretty clean Spitfire awhile back. I decided to make some needed repairs and get this thing ready for snow again.

Overall it is pretty straight and must have had lower miles (no speedo). The hyfax still had black paint on them! I got it home and found that one piston was toasted...

Lots of nice yellow pin stripe!

Here are a couple pics when I got it home. :popcorn:
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Last edited by 427cobra on Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Eric A.

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid" - John Wayne
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427cobra
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:00 am
Real Name: Eric
Location: Metamora IL

Re: 1980 Spitfire Rehab!

Post by 427cobra »

With some help from fellow board members I was able to get a good cylinder and piston! :beers;

Put the engine back together. Then started on the suspension. I cleaned it all up and installed grease zerks!

I put the suspension back in today along with the engine.

I was able to find a NOS speedo and tach kit on eBay. So that looks pretty nice!

Its coming together.... :dance:
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Eric A.

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid" - John Wayne
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liquitisplit80
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Real Name: Roy
Location: Wisconsin Dells area

Re: 1980 Spitfire Rehab!

Post by liquitisplit80 »

Looks good! My brother still has our original 81 spitty. Also has a melted piston ... and went through a tornado!
'78 Spitfire
82 Trailfire 340
'80 Trailfire 440
'80 sportfire
'81 liquifire


Still ridin' the New Breed!
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427cobra
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Real Name: Eric
Location: Metamora IL

Re: 1980 Spitfire Rehab!

Post by 427cobra »

Thanks!

Next I need to align the motor and clutches. Then assemble the carb.

I need to decide what to do with the seat as well... :think:

Later on in fall I plan on getting the skis blasted and powder coated.

Should run good on the minimal snow we get around Peoria! :lol22:
Eric A.

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid" - John Wayne
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jeffreyb1965
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Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:56 pm
Location: Boise, ID

Re: 1980 Spitfire Rehab!

Post by jeffreyb1965 »

We picked up an 80 Spitfire, for our kids, a couple of years ago that sat in the basement garage of a client of mine for 20 years. Had a burn cylinder like yours. Took me 3 months to find a cylinder, but we found one and replaced both pistons and rings. Then we took it to a local snowmobile shop for the final tune. It runs great! Little squirrely, but fun.

I decided this year that in the spring we will go through and restore the rest of the sled. Can't wait to get started on it.
1994 Polaris 600XLT SKS
1994 Polaris Indy 500
1980 JD Spitfire
1980 Yamaha ET 340 Enticer
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snowkat79
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Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 2:17 pm
Location: Central IL

Re: 1980 Spitfire Rehab!

Post by snowkat79 »

I miss my '80 Spitty....
80 JD TrailFire 340 (440 motor, currently toasted)
80 JD LiquiFire (currently being restored)
80 JD Spitfire (becoming this years rider, hopefully)
80 JD Spitfire (project, parts? Who knows...)
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