440 Dator Engine
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Classified Posting Guidelines:
#1: JD snowmobile and related items only.
#2: Please do not post negative opinion comments about an item or PRICE. The only replies should be legitimate questions from interested parties.
Re: 440 Dator Engine
Leave it to Chuck to come up with the coolest of the cool stuff.
Todd Schrupp
Milbank SD
Milbank SD
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WinnipegStPaul9
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Re: 440 Dator Engine
The chassis would have to have a unique VIN for it to be a rare piece. If you dropped it into a 340 Dator the serial would indicate that and take the luster off of it. If Chuck's tunnel had a unique identifier then honestly the engine should be dropped into it and the sled restored........just saying...........
DA
DA
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
Re: 440 Dator Engine
I think a 440 dator motor deserves any run of the mill dator chassis. here is something you would never hear at a show or on the trail----"Oh it's just a regular Dator with a 440 dator motor in it." Bryan
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jdrob
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Re: 440 Dator Engine
I am thinking that the VIN may have been ( XXX-BAD-AZZ ) ????? 
Seriously though would the tunnels have been stamped ?? I didn't think they stamped the "test sleds" ?? anyone ??
Seriously though would the tunnels have been stamped ?? I didn't think they stamped the "test sleds" ?? anyone ??
Jdrob
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." AE
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." AE
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ICCSF 108
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Re: 440 Dator Engine
Are we even sure that all the 440 Dator engines were put into a Dator chassis for testing, could one ( 440 Dator engine ) be put in a un-serial numbered Say Cyclone or liquifire tunnel?? Remember now that these engines were tested in ( maybe ) late spring of " 77 " so there might not have been any Dator tunnels available & the engines could have been put in a Pre "77" model year chassis, & being there doesn't seem to be any "77" Dator tunnels out there??????
I Personally don't think it really matters which Chassis it's put into as long as it has a Dator Hood on it knowone will be looking very hard at the chassis anyway.
From what I have heard these engines were being tested for a possible run of consumer 440 Dators, so they might have been planning on putting them in a chassis similar to the 78 Liquifire as I have heard that Deere was already testing the front tunnel cooler on some of the team race Dators by the winter of 76-77??
Just my $.0835 worth
Kenny
I Personally don't think it really matters which Chassis it's put into as long as it has a Dator Hood on it knowone will be looking very hard at the chassis anyway.
From what I have heard these engines were being tested for a possible run of consumer 440 Dators, so they might have been planning on putting them in a chassis similar to the 78 Liquifire as I have heard that Deere was already testing the front tunnel cooler on some of the team race Dators by the winter of 76-77??
Just my $.0835 worth
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 $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ 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?
Re: 440 Dator Engine
I know a lot has changed over the years, but i work in the experimental shop at a deere factory, we put experimental parts in any machine that is available, sometimes machines are hacked up 2-3 times before they are chewed up by the crusher. It is amazing these engines are still around, NO EXPERIMENTAL parts live anymore they are all destroyed. i would like to here the story how they got out of the factory. Cool stuff Bryan
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Wildfire II
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Re: 440 Dator Engine
I think I posted this some time ago. I personaly seen two 440 motors in the box in our test shop. One went on our dyno, the other ? We NEVER tested one in a chassis. Where they went from there I dont know. There are some people who might know. Will try to follow up on that. It is possable they were sent out of the factory for some independent testing and may have been installed in a chassis at that time. Please remember this was a long time ago. I would not get your hopes up on finding a chassis they were installed in. I personaly would not install this eng in a chassis and call it a very rare JD snowmobile!! Come on guys, this is a rare motor and only that! Should be displayed as motor only. Also all test sleds had Ser. #'s either stamped or tags. ED
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I500
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Re: 440 Dator Engine
Approximately 8 years ago we uncovered an unstamped 76 Dator tunnel in Central Michigan. <not a liquifire or cyclone as there is a difference> This sled had parts from a 440 Liquidator motor including the cylinders and coil cover that read KEC440 RS/24LC. This tunnel has had the bulk-head extensivly drilled out in a very professional manner to lighten as much as possible as was done for oval racing. Also tunnel shortened about 4" and drilled for straight pipes, air dams and other very unusual features.... Was this factory? doubtfull.... Tested by Independants? maybe..... Cool? absolutly.... This tunnel was run with the 440 Dator for sure. .. And yes, i still have it.
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Wildfire II
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Re: 440 Dator Engine
Nice find!! Like I said it was quite possable they were sent out for independent testing. Would be intereting to see the exhaust setup. I think i remember on the dyno we ran with stright pipes that came with the motors from Japan. Pics would be nice. Nice very interesting find. Will dig into more history around here. I wish Lee Hardesty was still here!! ED
Re: 440 Dator Engine
I500 thats awesome, the unknown history of that sled is what makes it so cool. with every year that passes, every watering hole we stop at the stories and memories of sledding wether new or vintage, keep getting better. Facts just make it another 1960's muscle car cruise. Snowmobiling is best told as a story, ......remember that time when??????????????????? Bryan
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ICCSF 108
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Re: 440 Dator Engine
I believe that the 440 Dator engine is sold...
Kenny
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 $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ 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?