84 Liquifire Basket Case Restoration

[JoeRainville]

For the most part, the rear suspension is complete. I need to address some of the details and decide what I am going to use for the upper idlers wheel on top of the rear arm. I have an OK set of original Capital Stampings units that would need paint. But Matt can get small idlers that are only slightly larger than the original 4 1/8" diameter ones. I am also checking with my buddies to see if I can scare up a set of NOS Capital Stampings units.





For now, the suspension was bagged and set aside to resume work on the chassis.

[JoeRainville]

The tunnel stickers needed to be removed before polishing the aluminum. I used Brock's method of heating behind the stickers:



Once the sticker starts to bubble, you can peel them right off:

[sledhead16]

Thats a good method to know! beats picking and peeling and what not!

[JoeRainville]

Allen, using a little heat is by far the best method I have found to pull decals off the tunnel or other metal parts. Brock Weber, the member here who restored the 78 Liquifire HoF charity sled, suggested it when I was stripping down my race sled last year. It was really good advice.

Even with the stickers removed, it can leave some adhesive on the tunnel. I sprayed it down with some "Aircraft Adhesive Remover" and let Cari Deerest at it with a putty knife:



You can see under where the sticker covered how polished the tunnel was originally. I may go for a mirror shine, but I am not sure yet as I was hoping to go with an original look...

[sledhead16]

Lucky guy having a helper! I always have to wrench solo!

[fairmountvewe]

I gotta say, she looks about as enthused as my sweetie looks when I ask her to help me stack bales in the barn

[JoeRainville]

Luckily for me, Cari doesn't mind lending a hand working in the barn, packing gear bags or help loading the trailer. Now if I can only get her to sand blast and rebuild motors...

Progress on the 84 has slowed down with having to get the racer ready for the Vintage I-500 class. But, it has not stopped. Spent some time straightening a tweeked ski and getting the pair blasted and coated:



After blasting, they were dropped off for coating:

[JoeRainville]

With some help from my bestests buddy Brock, I was able to obtain 4 NOS 6 3/8" idlers, and a set of Capital Stampings units for the top arm. These will look much better than the rebuilt idler wheels I tried to clean up:



In return I had to promise Brock a lifetime supply of rusty JDX-8 bogies wheels. He drove a hard bargin, but a fair one...

[JDT]

Why do those skis look like they are not the same length?

Maybe they are for oval racing. The additional friction will make it easier to turn left all the time.

[JoeRainville]

Found a few more new parts available from Deere for the Liquifire project:

24H1862: Center Idler Washer/Spacer
M66125: Jackshaft Clutch Side Bearing Flange
M63775: Taillight Plastic Mounting Nut
M63450: Taillight Mounting Screws

-Joe

[sledhead16]

Joe shes gonna be brand new!!!! Well when your done feel free to tackle my 84 Mountainfire

[JoeRainville]

Thanks Allen, I hope she comes out nice.

With help from a hauling customer I was able to obtain the NOS Liquifire track from Dustin Smit. Picked it up on my way home from the HoF show. About the only other parts I think I need is a set of repop decals and a low windshield.

Next up is polishing the tunnel and getting the re-assembly started.

[JDT]

Joe how are you fairing with the rain down there?
TX and OK are hot news stories up here.

[sledhead16]

Joe what's the serial # on this sled? Also if you could take pics and tips and tricks of your polishing that would be helpful.

[sledhead16]

Oh and sorry I missed ya at the HoF, I was looking for ya but I'm sure you were out and about being a busy chair member!