Sled Update

[jep_800]

I didn't have such a good outing at last year's Ride With the Champs in St. Germain... I showed up with my sleds running in pretty good form, but at the end of the weekend, both were loaded on the trailer not running. My 75' 800 burned a piston on the Bogie Bash on the way back from Minocqua. Went on the rope for about the last 8 miles or so to get back to the Whitetail. Then, on the Vintage Challenge, my 75' JDX8 failed about 1/2 way up to Bent's Camp, the 1st fuel stop. I later determined that the PTO piston had caught a ring on a port which destroyed the piston and head.

This created quite a bit of work for me in the off season to try and get them trail worth again before this season. I've made some good progress, as I completely tore the engine down on the X8, got the crankshaft rebuilt, nice original jugs (standard size), NOS Kioritz pistons & rings, one NOS cylinder head from Brock W., and complete Kioritz gasket set. I pressure tested the engine until I was satisfied that it is sealed, and dropped it back in. Once I got it fired up, it ran excellent, and I had fun blasting down the alley for a bit.

My next step is to yank the 440/22 from the 800 and start that process. I plan to do the exact same thing... everything is going to get touched, as I will have John Rouland (Northern Crankshaft) rebuild that crank, and go from there. The original jugs from the X8 were bored to .020" oversize, and I acquired .020" oversize SPI pistons & rings. A complete gasket set will be used, and I will pressure test that engine until it is properly sealed. I hope to complete this by the end of December so I have 2 machines on the trailer bound for WI again. Of course, they will get break-in miles so that the rings have a chance to seat well, and I can identify any flaws.

These two sleds have been a labor of love, but I enjoy riding them so much... I get a kick out of seeing them side by side on the trailer, knowing they are the best Mid-mounts (performance wise) that John Deere produced before they went to the front motor sleds. Check out the link to see the X8 running after the engine rebuild. I'll try and do the same when the 800 is finished.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzuuQQS ... e=youtu.be

Jason

[acesillini06]

Sounds like just bad luck. I have been going through similar problems with my fire series sleds. Glad to see you persevere and problem solve! Nice video and sleds!

[Ajc]

Good to hear you got them running again.

[jep_800]

As promised, here's the 800 now that she's running again.

Jason

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5RnjQXd2bk

[Curlymurt]

That is one shiny sled!