1980 Liquifire Project

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
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nick80lf
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Real Name: Nick
Location: The snow free zone of Ohio

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by nick80lf »

The best way to know for sure is a coolant pressure tester. Most auto parts stores will have them as a loaner tool.

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80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
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Packers29
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 pm
Real Name: Andrew Engels
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Packers29 »

I think that is what it is doing nick I noticed coolant around the studs. The PTO side seems to be the one leaking the Mag side i see no coolant leaking. The head must be warped and not sealing correctly. Ill have to take a closer look to make sure its flat along with the jug.
1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
JDT
Posts: 5561
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by JDT »

Andrew check the stud length to be sure they are all the same and one or two have not worked loose.

Also be sure all the head bolt washers are the same thickness.
A thinner washer allows the acorn nut to bottom out internally before the head is at the correct torque.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
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Packers29
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Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Packers29 »

Will do thanks JDT.


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1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by sledhead16 »

Open end nuts like the ones one my rebuilt motors won't bottom out like the acorn nuts could.
1975 340/s Speed Run Sled
1975 340/s I500 #161
1980 Liquifire SN# 4995 From WA Speed Run Sled
1980 Liquifire SN# 4996 From MN
1983 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire Deep Snow Tunnel 4/6 motor
1984 Sprintfire (2)

***Duelling Deere Garage***
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Packers29
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 pm
Real Name: Andrew Engels
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Packers29 »

But then you don't have the awesome chrome acorn nuts!
1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
JDT
Posts: 5561
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by JDT »

I have seen examples where the head nuts were over torqued and this caused the studs to stretch.

Then the acorns bottom out and you can't get the gasket tight.

Quick fix is to used thicker washers.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
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Packers29
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 pm
Real Name: Andrew Engels
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Packers29 »

Thats the plan add some more washers.
1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
User avatar
Packers29
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 pm
Real Name: Andrew Engels
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Packers29 »

Image

It's apart again.


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1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
User avatar
nick80lf
Posts: 1160
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:45 pm
Real Name: Nick
Location: The snow free zone of Ohio

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by nick80lf »

If your already aware of this I apologize.

As odd as this may sound, the manual for the Kawasaki Invaders tell you to apply Kawaibond (basically yamabond or threebond case sealer) to the head gasket.

The OEM Deere gaskets had a sealant preapplied.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by sledhead16 »

Scraping the old material off the NOS and using new sealant is the way to go
1975 340/s Speed Run Sled
1975 340/s I500 #161
1980 Liquifire SN# 4995 From WA Speed Run Sled
1980 Liquifire SN# 4996 From MN
1983 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire Deep Snow Tunnel 4/6 motor
1984 Sprintfire (2)

***Duelling Deere Garage***
User avatar
Packers29
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 pm
Real Name: Andrew Engels
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Packers29 »

I did not know that. Rob suggested using copper gasket material on the weisco gaskets I ordered. Essentially that does the same thing right?


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1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
Jd sled rider
Posts: 204
Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:03 pm
Real Name: Lincoln Huffman
Location: Michigan

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Jd sled rider »

Was the sea lent dry or hard on the nos gaskets? I have used several sets just the way they are and had no problems. How do you scrape it off without hurting it, and what do you use in place of? Thanks lincoln
2015 vintage challenge finisher on 81 liquifire
2016 vintage challenge finisher on a wounded 83 Liquifire
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by sledhead16 »

Scrape it with any tool gentle enough to get the old residue off then any bond like the yamabond or threebond. The copper sealant is a great idea too
1975 340/s Speed Run Sled
1975 340/s I500 #161
1980 Liquifire SN# 4995 From WA Speed Run Sled
1980 Liquifire SN# 4996 From MN
1983 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire Deep Snow Tunnel 4/6 motor
1984 Sprintfire (2)

***Duelling Deere Garage***
User avatar
Packers29
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 pm
Real Name: Andrew Engels
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1980 Liquifire Project

Post by Packers29 »

JDRob is helping me finish the project A new head and redone recoil. Thanks Rob.
1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
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