Liquifire Drive Shaft Question

[slickuifire]

Does anyone know if a drive shaft from a 1978 Liquifire will fit into a 1977 Liquifire? It makes sence that it would - they have the same body style but is there possibly a different kog spacing for the track? I wanted to make sure before I place my ebay bid. I'd appreciate any advice you have to offer! Thank you for your help!

Slick

[400brian]

It appears that drive shaft M66146 was used on Cyclone and Liquifire sleds 76 - 78

[harleysportster]

Yes it will fit. There were a few changes thru the years.
76/77 Cyclone/Liquifre used a round shaft and center idler, M66146 shaft. This was replaced by a hex shaft M66146
78 deleted the center idlers of both the driveshaft and rear axle.
If change to the later hex shaft, you will need the matching hex drive sprokets.

[slickuifire]

I see - I double checked and the 78 drive shaft I'm looking at does not have a center idler wheel but, the metal shaft is still round - (its not a hex shaft). Since the drive shaft I took out of my 77 Liquifire has a center idler wheel, i'm assumimng its best to replace it with one that has a center idler wheel. Or - Since the 78 shaft is round would it be a workable replacement shaft? i.e.. Could John Deere have made the move to get rid of the center Idler wheel on the 78 because it wasn't needed - maybe the center idler wheel reduced performace?

Just thinking out loud - What do you think?

Slick

[harleysportster]

Not sure why the change but I have a 78 Cyclone and have not had any trouble with the track. From experience, it will be very hard to reuse the center idler on your old shaft and install it on a 78 style.

[slickuifire]

No, my thoughts are more along the lines of - Can I run the 78 shaft without the middle idler wheel on a 77 model (without replacing the 77's rear axel). If no, I'll ignore buying it and keep looking for a matching 76/77 drive shaft.

Slick

[harleysportster]

No, my thoughts are more along the lines of - Can I run the 78 shaft without the middle idler wheel on a 77 model (without replacing the 77's rear axel). If no, I'll ignore buying it and keep looking for a matching 76/77 drive shaft.

Slick

I don't see why you couldn't. The same 2/3 track is used on all 77/78 Cylcones and Liquifires. The 2/3 track was a replacement for the full-width track of the earlier JDX's and 76 Cyclone/Liquifires. What is wrong with yours?

[slickuifire]

My track is fine - its the original cleated track for a 77 Liquifier but, the kogs on my track driveshaft are out of alignment - the left side kog doesnt line up with the right side kog. Somehow they twisted about 1/2 inch out of sync from each other. I alredy pulled the driveshaft out of my sled to see if i could realign them but, all bolts are in place - the plastic kog holes line up with metal shaft holes and the holes aren't widened out from ware. The metal shaft must have twisted.... That's why I'm replacing the track drive shaft.

Slick

[harleysportster]

Wow, I never heard of that happening before but some of the other senior members may have. I heard that JD switched to the hex shaft for a stronger shaft. Hope you get the one off of Ebay.
Harley

[slickuifire]

Thanks again for your help! If I get the 78 drive shaft and the combo works (or doesn't work) I'll post the results.

Slick