Starter Interchangability

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
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SlimShady
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:19 am
Real Name: Tony

Starter Interchangability

Post by SlimShady »

I have a trailfire 440 motor with recoil starter but case has the boss for electric start. Was just wondering what other motors used the same starter, for example sportfire, liquifire starter, will these bolt on? Also wonderin if a js440 (from jetski) from same era would happen to fit? Any help would be greatly appreciated, tryin to get somethin goin for grandkids. Thanks
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ihengineer76
Posts: 467
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:53 am
Real Name: Tom Rehberg
Location: SC Wisconsin

Re: Starter Interchangability

Post by ihengineer76 »

Good morning. The starters for the Kawasaki powered sleds interchange. I’m not sure about the jet ski, though. I’ve never looked at on up close.
1976 Liquidator - 970 mile raced sled
1975 340/S - I-500 raced sled
1978 440 Liquifire
tieszo6
Posts: 214
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2005 1:00 am
Real Name: Mark T
Location: Holland IA

Re: Starter Interchangability

Post by tieszo6 »

Yes, the JS440 starter motor will work. I have installed them on Trailfires, Sportfires and Liquifires. The mounting holes are tapped, you will need to drill them out. The clearance between the mounting holes and the body of the starter is very small. I use socket head capscrews to make access easier. The JS440 starter (or at least the one that is available on eBay) is longer than the original snowmobile starter. The original used a sheetmetal bracket to support the overhanging end of the starter motor. The extra length of the starter might interfere with the boss on the lower crankcase half that was used for the sheetmetal bracket. I think I had to grind a little bit on a Sportfire but the Trailfires and Liquifires have cleared.

Here is a link to the starter I buy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/280401281206?h ... BMpKjIn59i

Mark.
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SlimShady
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:19 am
Real Name: Tony

Re: Starter Interchangability

Post by SlimShady »

Thanks guys! Thats exactly what I needed to know! Much appreciated!
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nick80lf
Posts: 1152
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:45 pm
Real Name: Nick
Location: The snow free zone of Ohio

Re: Starter Interchangability

Post by nick80lf »

Wilson starter has part number for reman originals. O'Reilly claims they could be specially ordered. I have never attempted this because of the price. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/wi ... 0/91251052
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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