$100 barn find cyclone

[Garrett_p]

Thanks guys! Ive been working on it here and discovered one cylinder has 50 psi comp and the other has 100psi, it doesn't run bad but is extremely hard to start without starting fluid, which i know is is not the right way to do it, but it's the only thing that gets the thing running, I'm thinking about a rebuild do you guys think I'm crazy?

[400brian]

Nobody around here will think you crazy to rebuild it, that is what we do. Here is what you can do: You can send the crankshaft out to be freshened up. The ball bearings and seals can be replaced. If there is any end play at the crank it for sure needs attention. Having the center seals replaced is a good idea even if everything else seems OK. On disassembly you will have to determine what failed and how to fix it. Generally you can get pistons in both standard and oversize for these, but with all the issues related to shipping at the moment, I don't know. A good up grade would be to replace your ignition system with a Hewtec system, as the Prestolight stators and CDI boxes were problematic from day one.

To run well two strokes like everything to be right, so a fair number of the guys here have went down this path. Keep us updated.

[Garrett_p]

thanks! i got the engine apart, i found that cyl #2 ate the bottom piston comp ring, surprisingly the cylinder is fine, the piston however looks scary not gonna lie, both cylinders need to be bored out at least .010 to make it rite, the crank is fine has almost no end play and the rod bearings are fine, from what i can tell, do you know where i can get a rebuild kit? thanks - garrett.

[Garrett_p]

Also i checked the crankshaft with a dial indicator. it has no more than .01 thou run out on both sides, also i found out that that i doesn't have the mileage that i said it did, someone disconnected the speedo cable at some point so i don't know what it has for mileage, i was considering engine swapping it with a 1978 kawasaki invader 440 liquid cooled engine, has anyone done anything similar? Thanks. - Garrett.

[jep_800]

Guys have done all kinds of crazy stuff, so anything is possible. When I've done the crankshaft and needed pistons / boring, I brought all of it at once so I got it all addressed simultaneously. I use Northern Crankshaft outside of Thief River Falls, mainly because it's about 45 minutes from my house.... John Rolland does excellent work. A lot of guys here also send their stuff to Jerome Kretzman who's in central Minnesota. I forgot the town he's located in, but others here do. Good news if you keep the Kioritz engine, it's a 440/22A which there's still a lot of stuff available on eBay.

Jason

[400brian]

Check to fit of the center seals on the crankshaft. If they are anything other than a snug fit I would send it out to have them replaced.
Jerome Kretzman of Crankshaft Services is in Baxter, MN.

As for pistons. You can check Dennis Kirk or any of the other catalog suppliers. You can talk to Don Amber at www.buscobullet.com

Go here, it appears DK has some in .010 over. Remember there is a right and left. https://www.denniskirk.com/1976-john-de ... ne-440.mmy

[Matt]

i was considering engine swapping it with a 1978 kawasaki invader 440 liquid cooled engine, has anyone done anything similar? Thanks. - Garrett.

+

That engine swap would be pretty difficult unless your a fabricator. Those engines don't have a mounting plate, they mount into the front frame. Then you get into dealing with how to install front & tunnel radiators, hoses, etc.

[Garrett_p]

where would you get the howtec conversion ignition system for the john deere engine?

[Matt]

https://cdibox.com/product/fireplug-cdi ... restolite/

[Popcorn popper]

Very cool. Cyclones very hard to find here. One 340 listed for 4200 beans.

[Garrett_p]

Well i just got done buying all the parts i need, 1 new fireplug cdi, 2 brand new coils, track wear rods, & engine parts and a bunch of other stuff, set me back $500, i have the engine at the machine shop having the pistons fit i should have it running soon, is there anything else i should look for? And does anyone know what paint color it is? Thanks - garrett.

[400brian]

The color is "mean green". It is close to GM Elkhart Green metallic. Don Amber has a paint code, or go here: https://www.ebay.com/str/vintagesledpai ... 7675.l2563 But remember you want Mean Green, in 77 they went to a slightly different Emerald Green.

[Garrett_p]

Thanks! I received the fireplug cdi a cupple days ago & it's missing 2 plugs the square plug is correct but the two round ones are missing has anyone else had the same problem?

[Ethan6171]

Thanks! I received the fireplug cdi a cupple days ago & it's missing 2 plugs the square plug is correct but the two round ones are missing has anyone else had the same problem?

The hewtech box has a plug for the 76' style engine, which has two square plugs, one for the cdi, one for the hookup to the rest of the sled. The square plug of the hewtech is meant to plug into the round connectors only. The existing square connector on your sled is not meant to directly plug in to the cdi.

So, a bit of butchery is necessary to mount the hewtech to a 77' with its round style connectors. Could swap the round plugs off the old cdi, or buy the other half of the square connector and solder that in place of the round plugs on the motor.
What I did is buy the other end of the square 76' style connector from hewtech, then chop the round connectors off my old cdi. I soldered these together, making an adaptor to convert from 77' round connectors back to 76' square. So, running either style box is a plug and play process if I ever need a replacement and it has a different style plug. Not sure if this is the best thing to do though lol

[Garrett_p]

I have another question, how do you tune the carb air screw and ide speed?