'80 Sportfire for Charity - New topic

[kwc]

We are gaining on the hood and chassis....

1. all the decals have been removed
2. chassis has been powerwashed/degreased and ready for stripping
3. hood cracks have been repaired (3 total), almost ready for primer and block sanding
4. Winterfrost II paint has been matched and have 1 quart of PPG ready for spraying

More updates to come.

[kwc]

Good news, the hood is painted and the color is an excellant match to the original Winterfrost II.

[Matt]

Kevin, nice work man!

[WinnipegStPaul9]

How about that "God-built" paint booth!!!! Great job! DA

[clackinator]

Don, you have helped me so much with the 340/S project I feel like I need to help out on this one too. If nobody else has volunteered to take on the ski restoration project, and if you wouldn't mind shipping them up to me in Park Rapids, I will work them over. What kind of turnaround time is ok? A month or so?

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Boy, that would be great. You'd have 45-60 days. I have them boxed, I'll package them better and ship out as soon as possible. Thanks again Justin, I know you've got your hands full. Don

[WinnipegStPaul9]

More parts arrived while I was gone to Dallas. Thanks Jack for the fuel line and filter. Thought you all might want to see the box it came in. DA

[pjr]

I began refurbishing some of the drivetrain parts that DA dropped by a few weeks ago and so far, so good! I've got the carb and the engine to freshen up yet, so I've got to get crackin' to get those both done if I'm to get my own machines done also before this year's riding season begins.

Both drive axle bearings were in excellent, smooth running condition upon disassembly, as it looked as if someone had changed them out in the very recent past. No new bearings needed there! The axle itself was also in very good condition with only minor surface rust that cleaned up nicely in the glass beed blaster and both sprockets looked to be in better shape than what I originally thought once they were pressed off the axle, so they were also re-used.


pj

[pjr]

The sprockets were power-washed clean, the hardware buffed with a wire-wheel, the bearingss were checked/hand washed and the axle shaft bead blasted to a new-like finish.

The sprockets were pressed back onto the axle shaft in the same way/direction they came off and the fasteners were treated to a small dab of anti-sieze where the shank of the bolt passes through the steel axle shaft- just to eliminate any posibility of corrosion between the bolt, the shaft and the sprocket. The bearings were then partially re-assembled back onto the shaft ends to prepare them for re-installation back into the tunnel. I also added a fresh chain case gasket also. Finally, the axle shaft itself was coated in John Deere paints/primers that JDT so graciously donated! Thanks JDT!!

One axle shaft all done and rarin' to go gents!!


pj

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Great work PJ. On Wednesday Bob and I are going to Decatur and over to Rockford Ohio. We might swing by and bring some parts. I have to drop the handlebars off at the plater as well. Again, nice job. DA

[Jekyll]

Don,

Got most of the Sprotfire parts painted yesterday. Will finish up today.

I ordered new rod-ends for the front end, they should show up Fri or Mon. I plan to package and ship back middle of next week.

Quick question--------------- The bolts that were used to connect steering parts (size 3/8ths) are all course thread. The Polaris stuff I'm used to is fine thread. Did Deere used N/C thread or N/F thread. I'm going to include all new nuts and bolts but want to send the OEM type stuff.

Thanks,
Roger

[WinnipegStPaul9]

They used coarse. Thanks a big bunch Roger. This thing is really going to be coming together soon. DA

[pjr]

I started on the engine resto yesterday and overall, I'd say this engine is in excellent condition and will make a nice powerplant for the Charity Sled! The "performance" side of me wanted to start porting the cylinders, raising compression, lightening the rotating assembly, etc. to make more power, but alas...I restrained myself and kept to the stock build montra instead...

This engine has been apart before however, and someone has replaced the PTO-side piston/rings at some point. They didn't even install new base/head gaskets either when they did it, as they just smeared silicone all over everything to seal it up. Hillbilly work for sure...

All the engine parts, including the PTO-side cylinder, is in excellent condition, so we're good there. Since the 'el cheapo replacement piston/ring set they used is different in weight and design from the original JD piston on the MAG-side, I think it best (for long term durability) to replace both pistons/ring sets with matching parts for re-assembly. Plus, we'll need an engine gasket/seal kit too.

Parts Needed:
- Two(2) Replacement Pistons/Ring Sets w/ circlips and pins
- One(1) Engine Gasket/Seal Kit

Enjoy the pics and more will come as I move along.

-pj

[pjr]

No one wants to help out with these needed engine parts? She won't run very well without them and time is rapidly ticking away here...


pj

[Jekyll]

Here are a couple of pics of the front-end components. Sorry didn't take any before shots.

Later,
Roger