83 Liquifire Restoration

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ihengineer76
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Real Name: Tom Rehberg
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83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

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About a month and a half ago, I purchased a pair of 83 Liquifires from a fellow Deere junky. One is missing the engine, clutches, seat, and some other various parts, but will be a great candidate for the 530 Cat motor I have sitting on the shelf. The second sled is the one that I am currently restoring. When I bought it, it had a piston crown that had failed from an air leak, but is otherwise complete with a little over 900 miles. I plan on doing a complete tear down and restore, but am waiting to do the chassis until I move at the end of March. For the time being, I am doing the motor. I pulled it down and found the jugs were fine, so I went ahead and ordered Wiseco forged pistons and a gasket and seal set. I have the bottom end assembled so far and will work on more this week.
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1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
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ihengineer76
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

Here's some pictures of the engine progress.
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Just a little piston damage...
Just a little piston damage...
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1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
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ihengineer76
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

Here is a pair of NOS skis I cam across for the restoration. Interesting reinforcement on the ends. I was told it was for the Canadian sleds, but am not really sure about that.
Attachments
IMG_6770.JPG
IMG_6771.JPG
1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
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acesillini06
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Real Name: Matt Cappel
Location: Rochelle, IL

Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by acesillini06 »

Looks like you're making great progress fellow Deere junky! :dance:
1983 Liquifire 2-1983 Sprintfire's original owner
1983 Trailfire LX 1983 Sportfire and 1976 Liquidator #170
1982 Sprintfire 1982 Liquifire/Intruder "white hood" 1975 340/s #179
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ihengineer76
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

A little update on the progress. The motor is back together and ready to be dropped back in!
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IMG_6775.JPG
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1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
motoXman
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Location: Ontario

Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by motoXman »

Excellent. Keep the pics coming :beers;
1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
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ihengineer76
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

It has been a while since I posted about this project, but moving slowed it down a bit. In the last few days, I have gotten the sled mostly torn down. Decals came in last week. I still have to split the tunnel and bulkhead, but I hope to start media blasting parts this week. I will try to get some pictures up as soon as I can.
1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
MARK S
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Real Name: Mark Stevens
Location: Windom Mn

Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by MARK S »

The OEM ski's were part number AM55307 and back in the day Deere listed them as Ski Welded SWEDISH......I don't remember if we found out about them through service bulletins or if the Consumer Product person told us about them..I do remember ordering a couple sets for myself and I think it was around the time I set my 84 liquifire up at the dealership..Mark
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ihengineer76
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

Mark S, thanks for the info on those skis! Do you happen to know what the purpose was for building them that way? Here are a few pictures of the progress on disassembly. I also snapped a shot of a few of the sleds while I was cleaning up the shop. Monday, I started with the sled completely together minus the engine. My wife was out of town and I had plenty of beer. Amazing what progress can be made! :D
Attachments
IMG_6922.JPG
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IMG_6918.JPG
1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
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JD600
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by JD600 »

Very nice 1206! I always thought the white rear rims, radiator support, and fenders was a cool look. Too bad you can only use them in weather above about 50 degrees lol.

DE
Dustin Elder
Salem, OH


Midmounts.... Lots and lots of midmounts...

"Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege."
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ihengineer76
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

Thanks JD600, I restored that a couple years ago. I only has a little over 2300 hours on it. And thank God for the block heater!
1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
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ihengineer76
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Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:53 am
Real Name: Tom Rehberg
Location: SC Wisconsin

Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

Made a little progress on the sled this week. I steam cleaned the belly pan and have been wet sanding and polishing the tunnel.
Attachments
IMG_7063.JPG
1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
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smitfire
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by smitfire »

Super nice job on the tunnel, what did it take?
Many new and used parts available, I ship anywhere. Thanks everyone.
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ihengineer76
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Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:53 am
Real Name: Tom Rehberg
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by ihengineer76 »

400, 600, 1000 grit sand paper, followed by buffing compound, a power ball and aluminum polish, and finished with Wizard's metal polish. This sled is just going to be my rider. I am almost scared to think about the finish I will try to get when I do my 84 Sportfire!
1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
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JoeRainville
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Re: 83 Liquifire Restoration

Post by JoeRainville »

IHE,

That tunnel looks sweet. Nice job. You might not like this next suggestion but if you are this far down, I would suggest pulling the TPR and splitting the tunnel so you can sand blast that bulkhead and check for rust damage. Yes, I have done this several times myself, and I am currently putting a new bulkhead on my 80 vintage racer. I am checking into have the bulkhead and tunnel powder coated flat and gloss black respectively.

Good luck with your sled!
-Joe Rainville
Honorary Tech Editor

Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
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