1980 john deere trailfire kawasaki 440 engine

[jdjimmy]

ive had this snowmobile given to me pri about 8 years ago, i think the motor was kind of stuck when i got it. ended up breaking her loose and rode it for a short time. now trying to get the old girl going again, same problem. had it it running for a short time (wasnt trying real hard) just using a make shift gas tank at the time. thought it would be runnner. get everything put back together (gas in the tank). and motor got real stiff again, broke rope handel pissing around. motor still rotates by turning clutch, but plugs are out and she still very stiff. i originally put a little dexron down plug holes to loosen her up. (maybe mistake?) it all ran out of the exhaust really...

NOTE-- i know rope handels break, this motor is stiff

any ideas before i tear it down or after?

where to get engine parts?

any help would be appreciated!! know a little, but not a real smart 2 cycle motor guy when it comes down to it.

[burt87]

My first suggestion would be to get a technical service manual. Good luck with your project. Welcome to the site.

Rob

[jdtrailfire80]

I have some of the same issues. Mine is not stiff with the plugs out. I have good compression.

Try this site for manuals.
http://www.vintagesnow.com/John_Deere.html

Henry

[spudnut]

I have the exact same machine/engine. It has always been hard to pull the starter rope. I think it just has good compression. It runs great/fast

[guitardude081]

If you had to break it loose to begin with, you have to find out why it was stuck in the first place. The reason people break an engine loose is so that they can get the cylinders off without a fight. If it's tight, you could have wrecked one or both pistons when you rode it previously IF the cylinders were rusty. If the crank was the reason the motor stuck, there is a good bet that your stiffness comes from rusty or badly worn crank bearings. This sounds like a classic case of a motor that needs a rebuild. I would without a doubt make this sled a summer project and go through the motor and the rest of the sled. Parts to rebuild the motor will probably come to around $200 when all is said and done. If you rebuild it yourself, all that you'll have to worry about is labor to rebuild the crank or the price of a good used crank.
~Jack