Jdx8 cranks

[Popcorn popper]

Do you guys know of companies fixing the old kiroritz cranks? Or is it even possible?

[400brian]

There are several shops that do this kind of work that I am aware of. Jerome Kretzman, a former Deere team mechanic has done a fair number of cranks for the guys here. He is in Baxter, MN.

Repairs that can be done are somewhat limited. The ball bearings the crank spins on can be replaced, and the center seals. The biggest issue is the the lower rod bearings are a non-standard size, and are not available. With enough money you can do most anything, they have modded some newer parts to fit on Liquidator cranks.

If you have a crank that has excessive end play or bad center seals, New bearings and center seals will get you some more life out of the crank. If you have a crank that is rusty and corroded, you need to find a different one.

[Popcorn popper]

This one has a bent rod from a piston failure. Was hoping to get it replaced. I have this 440/21 but the rod end on piston pin is smaller. If crank exchanges i’d just replace it with that. But rod looks alot smaller on /21. I compared these two engines. The /22 has 5 intake transfer ports the /21 has only 3. Quite a huge difference. Exh port on /22 is significantly bigger also which I guess all contributes to the extra 6hp.

[400brian]

Your observations on the two engines are correct, very little interchanges. The piston pins were increased in size with the /22. The cranks may physically interchange, but I cannot say if it will work. If it were me, I would run the /21 until a another /22 can be found.

I am running a 73 with the /21 and a 74 with the /22, in my opinion, in general trail riding you won't notice a huge difference.

The cranks were sold as complete units, so the only parts that Deere sold for them were the ball bearings, and the seals. So a bent rod would have meant a new crank. You do have the option of mixing parts from a donor crank though.

[Popcorn popper]

The only other crank i have is the rusted up one. I did talk to another fellow and he has complete motor out of a 600. Might go for that. 350 for whole sled. Lol. I’ll have 1300 in all these so far. If i put the /21 to i have to change wiring harness or that 6 blade plug is universal?

[400brian]

The electrical hook up should work fine. While I was rebuilding the 340/5 for my wife's '74 green machine, I swapped the 440/21 in its place. Of course I had to swap the exhaust in as well.

I have no idea what the rods are made of, but they don't seem to rust like normal steel. The bearing in it is no doubt junk, but a rod might be salvageable. It would take a careful inspection. Guys part out engines on ebay, and if you talk to people, or watch Face Book market place, something may show up.

[Popcorn popper]

Brian could i run that tuned pipe with /21?

[400brian]

I am not sure if that will bolt up. My concern is that I am thinking the tuned pipe used it's own exhaust manifold, and I am not sure if that will work on the /21. If it does, then it should work.

[Popcorn popper]

Well guys i found another engine. 440/22 out of 600. One dead hole but spins over fine. 350 bucks but have to take whole sled . Its a early points model so see how it looks. So far im going to have 1300 tied up and nothing together. Lol.

[400brian]

Our guiding principle is that money is irrelevant when it comes to vintage sleds...and don't talk about the money with the wife!

One advantage I will point out with the 440/22 is that pistons are available ( at least for now ). So if you are going to stick some money in an engine, that is the one.

[Popcorn popper]

Lol I hear you there. Brian any idea what a concours style jdx8 of this vintage usually sell for. Im primarily a skidoo guy and those sleds here have really gone up. For example a decent shape 77-79 everest well over 2500 bucks. I sold a mint 80srx for 4500.

[400brian]

I honestly have no real idea.

[Popcorn popper]

Well its been a interesting week. In my search for cranks i found a wrecker that’s been collecting for 35 years. He had numerous sleds, also found 3 complete kec440/22 however one is seized. Should be able to find a good crank out of one. Tear down starts today lol. I’ll keep you posted. Does anyone know if the 340/22 is same bottom end and cranks as 440?

[harleysportster]

Yes it is the same.

[Popcorn popper]

Thanks. Learning alot about these in short time.