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

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Cdnturboz »

Thanks for the reply! I ended up getting a Kimpex windshield that seems to fit good:

Image

I’ll have to visit a local dealer and grab some screws then. All that’s left is repairing the seat and a few misc stuff - got it running pretty good and have taken the daughter out a few times already!


Thanks
Steve M
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 »

The Kimpex windshields are better then the Sno-Stuff ones. I think Kimpex stopped making them so there getting hard to find.
1973 400
1975 800
1975 800 - (Parts)
1975 JDX8
1983 Sprintfire - (Vintage Challenge Finisher 2022)
AirborneX4Special
Posts: 1450
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by AirborneX4Special »

I agree on the Kimpex deal. Sure is a clean sled!
Curlymurt
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:29 am
Real Name: Adam
Location: Indiana

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by Curlymurt »

Cdnturboz wrote: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
I find a lot of nicer trim screws from the autopart stores. I tend to have better luck with AutoZone in my area. Granted, I don't really know what the OEM should look like

Sent from my SM-J100VPP using Tapatalk
1972 Deere 400
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 »

Quick update on this thing - trying to get it ready for the vintage show/parade at CPTC out here in March.

Added new footwell grips/tape - found some stair tread tape that was wide enough and kept the yellow stripe for the JD theme.
IMG_3250.jpeg
IMG_3249.jpeg
Putting some new skegs on as well - a few last misc things and it should be ready to go.
IMG_3256.jpeg
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 »

Still having issues with the Walbro WDA, found a couple bendix carbs, might try rebuilding on of these new ones and giving it a try again. Not sure if I want to go with the mikuni swap
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
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400brian
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Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by 400brian »

What Walbro are you working with, and what are your specific problems?

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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 »

The WDA-32 which was off of a 73 400. It was fully rebuilt with an aftermarket rebuild kit. Used your advice on the salvaging Walbro carbs thread but still can’t get that bog gone.

It bogs real bad when at about mid range, almost when you go on and off the throttle.

As well the throttle is really hard to squeeze, like after 10 minutes of pulling the kids around it started to get hard to squeeze and almost sticks, been like this for a while now. I’m guessing something is binding.

I’ve tried a new throttle cable and no difference, I’m thinking it’s something at the throttle block- I had swapped the entire handle from a 75 300 when I first redid the sled (as it was nicer) thinking something must have been wrong with it.
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 »

Reason I went to the Walbro from the original bendix was I could never get it to idle right even after a full rebuild of the engine and using a nos carb rebuild kit.

Thinking something was wrong with the original bendix so I think I’ll try one of these other ones I just got
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
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400brian
Posts: 5627
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by 400brian »

It would help if you could determine if the bog is because of lack of fuel, or too much.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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 »

Yeah that’s my plan to mess more with it this weekend - I’m going to try and fix the binding throttle first
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5627
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by 400brian »

Yes, absolutely get the throttle working correctly.

It may be possible to play with the choke to diagnose what is going on.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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 »

:arrow: Took cable all off and lubed it with chain lube (that’s all I had) - seems 100% better than before. It was a new aftermarket cable, most likely my fault in forgetting to lube it the first time. Is there a better cable lube to use?

For the bog it seems to be in the mid range just before full throttle, full throttle is fine though. It seems to idle good, what’s a good idle RPM to set these at?
1973 JDX8 (maybe parts sled)
1974 JD400
1975 JD800
1982 Trailfire LX 440

:canada:
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5627
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: 1974 JD 400 Project

Post by 400brian »

There is some personal preference involved. Obviously it has to be below clutch engagement!
I am thinking around 2000 rpm.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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 »

Steve,

Just a curious question: where did you source the footboard grip tape? That's pretty cool and very functional. You must have put the yellow stripe in yourself? Yellow piping for the bumper and tunnel perhaps?

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
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