1974 JD 400 Project

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
Cdnturboz
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:48 pm
Real Name: Steve
Location: Manitoba, Canada

1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Cdnturboz »

Hi all, new to the forum. First sled I learned to drive was an older black JDX4, and now with some daughters of my own I picked up a 74 JD 400.

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Track looks really nice/almost new, same with the undercarriage.

The fuel tank is rusted inside, was going to try to clean it out and rust convert it etc. The guy that I bought this one from had a newer 300 that had a plastic tank, would it be worth grabbing that to replace the rusted tank/will it fit?


Now for the carb/fuel system, looking at an online service manual it seems as though it has a Bendix 1612 carb, I wanted to take it apart and clean it up, are there rebuild kits available?
It seemed to run good otherwise so I'm hoping just a clean might help the carb out a bit.

The sled ran fine when we poured some mix down the fuel line, so I'm hoping with cleaning out this gas tank and the carb it should be a good running sled to take the kids for rides around the yard.

Any help/info on the above would be great! Hoping to restore this thing to its former glory
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
Curlymurt
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:29 am
Real Name: Adam
Location: Indiana

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Curlymurt »

That sled looks like it's excellent condition (other than the seat)! The seat can be re-covered fairly easily. I see the windshield has a little extra support... those can be replaced, or, I cut off about 1" of the bottom and just drilled new bolt holes for it.



I'd recommend the por15 product for fuel tanks. After reading a bunch of reviews, I'm glad I tried it. I cleaned up my tank two years only to have it refill with rust immediately, so I figured I needed to take the extra step this time. It seems a little pricey, but you only need the smallest can (4 or 8oz... I think 8oz) they have. When you try to slosh it around inside the tank, use tape to cover the holes, or a rubber glove/balloon. I used the caps and it'll leave a coat on the rubber seal. I've read a poly tank will fit, but you might have to cut a bit of the underside of the plastic cowl attached to the hood.
1972 Deere 400
farleyjd400
Posts: 102
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:26 pm
Real Name: Andy
Location: Ham Lake MN

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by farleyjd400 »

If you have a chance to get a plastic tank, Grab it. Also get the straps that hold the plastic tank down. The tank and straps will fit right in your snowmobile.

Very nice sled, ENJOY. Mid Mounts are awesome to ride..
1976 Cyclone 340
1977 Cyclone 440
1978 Cyclone 440
Cdnturboz
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:48 pm
Real Name: Steve
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Cdnturboz »

Thanks guys - so the tank will bolt in with no mods? Trying to keep it pretty original / stock.


Are there any sources for a new kill switch and high beam switch?
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
Steven Rempel
Posts: 284
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:37 pm
Location: Landmark MB Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Steven Rempel »

welcome, nice to see another one from MB. I love the mid mounts and have a ton of parts, nice metal and plastic tanks if you need let me know.

Hi low switches are found much more often then kill switches, I thought someone here was selling repos of the kill switches.
the bendix carbs can be hard to get parts for, but I just did my JDX special with a bendix carb, I ordered a gasket kit and worked out real nice.
Cdnturboz
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:48 pm
Real Name: Steve
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Cdnturboz »

Pm sent
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
User avatar
jep_800
Posts: 445
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2014 1:33 pm
Real Name: Jason
Location: Grand Forks, ND

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by jep_800 »

Those bogies look excellent!! Didn’t come with any spares did it? Steve, you mentioned you had a bunch of spare parts.... do you have any decent bogie wheels you could let go?

Jason
1975 John Deere 800
1975 JDX8 (VC Finisher 2019)
1976 440 Cyclone (VC Finisher 2022)
1974 El Tigre 440 (Sold)
1996 Arcitc Cat 440Z
farleyjd400
Posts: 102
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:26 pm
Real Name: Andy
Location: Ham Lake MN

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by farleyjd400 »

Yes the plastic tank will bolt right in, Just use the straps for the plastic tank.

Steve R, Where did you get the gaskets for the Bendix carb? Im still using one on my JDX4 Special. did you ever find out who is making the Repo kill switches?
1976 Cyclone 340
1977 Cyclone 440
1978 Cyclone 440
Steven Rempel
Posts: 284
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:37 pm
Location: Landmark MB Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Steven Rempel »

I saw this a few months back so just bring it to your attention





First batch of new reproduction kill switches are in, and shipping. Thanks to Mark T for being the first customer. :beers;

Fitment: Most all 73-78 Deere sleds, except the 74 JD 295/s
$55.00 each, plus shipping

Thanks,
-Joe Rainville
joerainville@hotmail.com
585-406-4593 call / text
ATTACHMENTS
Kill Switch Open.jpg
Kill Switch Packaged.jpg
Honorary Tech Editor
Steven Rempel
Posts: 284
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:37 pm
Location: Landmark MB Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Steven Rempel »

So I have tried contacting the guy that had some bendix carb gasket sets and I cant get hold of him, and the email is just returned as bad address. I just sold my last one to Cdnturboz. So I no longer have any source to get these any more. Online I have seen some kits but I think they are used more for the motor bikes and they are like 80 usd. I have seen many kits like this one for 24 usd https://fortnine.ca/en/drag-specialties ... t-10030166? (copy and google) but I don't believe all these parts are used on our sled carbs. this would be the kit I would try as the gasket look right and if that all you need might just be what you need. as long as its the right size.
Cdnturboz
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:48 pm
Real Name: Steve
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Cdnturboz »

Another quick question on fuel lines - what is the correct fuel line colour for these sleds? Looking at some old brochures I see yellow/green lines, looking on new breed parts they sell blue/yellow?
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
User avatar
jep_800
Posts: 445
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2014 1:33 pm
Real Name: Jason
Location: Grand Forks, ND

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by jep_800 »

A lot of guys will use blue for the fuel line, and clear or yellow for the return line. Some just use yellow targon and call it good.

I personally use the blue/clear so they are distinguishable and I know what I'm looking at. I don't believe green line is available, but could be wrong.

Jason
1975 John Deere 800
1975 JDX8 (VC Finisher 2019)
1976 440 Cyclone (VC Finisher 2022)
1974 El Tigre 440 (Sold)
1996 Arcitc Cat 440Z
Cdnturboz
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:48 pm
Real Name: Steve
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Cdnturboz »

Starting to look into replacement windshield sources - what site/company has the best quality oem appearance windshield?
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
Cdnturboz
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:48 pm
Real Name: Steve
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Cdnturboz »

I'm missing a bunch of those side cowling/panel screws - anyone know of a source to find them? Looking for ones that would look stock in appearance
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
Ajc
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 11:40 pm
Real Name: Andrew Clark
Location: Le Sueur MN

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Ajc »

They make new windshields, but they don't hold up very well and tend to fold in on them self. How bad is yours? doesn't look to bad in the pics. If you still have the clips the screws are M63450. They look to be still available at the dealer. Otherwise they are a No.10 5/8 flat head screw that were painted black. Also check the engine seals if the sled has been sitting for a long time you don't want to burn it down. Otherwise looks good.
1973 400
1975 800
1975 800 - (Parts)
1975 JDX8
1983 Sprintfire - (Vintage Challenge Finisher 2022)
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