I'll be the first to admitt that I don't know anything about Deere race sleds. I'm verifing the sled serial number and engine serial number. What are things that I need to look for? I don't care to pay just don't want to get taken! What are the really hard to find pieces for this sled? Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
'72 400
'73 400, (2)500's, 600
'74 295/S (restored) 2010 HOF poker run survivor.
'75 800, JDX8,
'75 340/S 2011 & 2012 Vintage Challenge finisher.
'76 (2)400's
'78 Liquifire 340,440
'79 Spitfire
"If it has Tits, Tires, or Tracks it's gonna cost you money!"
Best thing you could probably do if you are unfamiliar with this sled is to obtain pics if possible and post on this site. You will get plenty of help on this one from the guys that know. Get pics with the hood off .
Also to note aside from most of chassis being unique, the motor is too. For the drive train, the chain case and driven clutch are only used on the 340/s, as was the body work of course, including the windshield.
Lee Fredrickson of MN repoped the glass pan and hood so you can find replacements. The ABS hood are most usually broke, and I have only ever seen one 340/s with the ABS pan still on it. Even the NOS ABS pan I saw was cracked, and it was never on a sled. Jeff Haugen repop'd the windshields too.
The motor was based on the 295/s, but only shared a few actual parts. Even the crank has a different p/n. I do know the base gaskets are the same though. The rings are the same as the Dator, but the pistons are different.
So far most of the 340/s' I've seen still have the factory air boxes. Finding one for a 295/s or Dator is much more difficult.
Basically, you should try to find as complete of a machine as possable since most of the parts are unique to the 340/s as we all said. A few of the parts that do interchange with non-racers includes the track, drive axle, drive clutch, throttle grip and lever, ski's, rear idlers, and, well, I think that is about it.
Good Luck!
-Joe Rainville
B)
Honorary Tech Editor
Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
Thanks guys. I'm very greatful for all the input here. All the responses I got prompted me to ask for more specific photos to help identify some of things you guys pointed out. Hopefully I'll get photos within a few days and more details to some questions I asked. I'll keep you posted on what I find and what I decided to do.
:huh: Keep your fingers crossed. :rolleyes:
'72 400
'73 400, (2)500's, 600
'74 295/S (restored) 2010 HOF poker run survivor.
'75 800, JDX8,
'75 340/S 2011 & 2012 Vintage Challenge finisher.
'76 (2)400's
'78 Liquifire 340,440
'79 Spitfire
"If it has Tits, Tires, or Tracks it's gonna cost you money!"
One thing to note about some of the Deere produced 340/S glass hoods that are floating around out there. It turned out that some of the hoods are not quite tall enough in back and consequently don't fit down in place like they should. When I sent my hood and pan down to Lee to be reproed, I asked him to make the new repro hood one and one half inches taller in the back than mine. I think he followed through with that and as a result, each hood can be trimmed to fit individual sleds.
Well guys I am now the proud owner of a well used 340/S.
It is definately a project sled. Be prepared for lots of questions.
:blink: It runs pretty decent and has lots of potential. Tunnel and belly pan are nice. Track seems good. Looks to be very original and all the hard to find parts are there. No race history that I know of yet. I doubt there is. My luck it was purchased by some guy who wanted to be the first to have his fishing shack on the ice each winter!
:unsure: Still working on the details. I got really lucky on this one.
Thanks everyone for the feedback.
'72 400
'73 400, (2)500's, 600
'74 295/S (restored) 2010 HOF poker run survivor.
'75 800, JDX8,
'75 340/S 2011 & 2012 Vintage Challenge finisher.
'76 (2)400's
'78 Liquifire 340,440
'79 Spitfire
"If it has Tits, Tires, or Tracks it's gonna cost you money!"
Its been in the mid to upper fifties all week. Everything is real spongy from the thaw. Another week of this and I'll have to start on another Deere project. The lawnmower
:o
'72 400
'73 400, (2)500's, 600
'74 295/S (restored) 2010 HOF poker run survivor.
'75 800, JDX8,
'75 340/S 2011 & 2012 Vintage Challenge finisher.
'76 (2)400's
'78 Liquifire 340,440
'79 Spitfire
"If it has Tits, Tires, or Tracks it's gonna cost you money!"
I'm sitting here drooling in anticitation of some pictures of this new find.
Kenny
AKA: Kenny, Grumpy, Mr. Richard Head
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
Its been in the mid to upper fifties all week. Everything is real spongy from the thaw. Another week of this and I'll have to start on another Deere project. The lawnmower