"Mysteryfire" - The Resto begins!

[Platinum_2]

Hi gang,

Just scored this Liquifire. Not sure of the year. There is no date stamp or prefix to the VIN. Thinking an '80 due to serial, but me thinks this may have been a replacement chassis. Decals could go '80 or '81, but tunnel not painted.

There are some other odd things. Multiple cuts and welds to exhaust, dash mounted fuel shut off (could have been done by anyone). Only 823 miles.

Any help on identification would be appreciated.

[snowmoer]

Yea, without the decal under the headlight, hard to tell. Defiantly an 80 or 81 because of the headlight. Surprised the date of manufacture was not stamped. Some other things say 81 to me. The interment housing looks like the thicker plastic. My 80 had the thinner one that would crank where it met the gas tank.

[Platinum_2]

Yes, this is puzzling indeed. The serial number suggests a replacement tunnel. That said, if this were an '80, then either the factory or the dealer would likely have painted it. This is what makes me believe it is an '81. But, I just don't know because the tunnel my be a 1980 "part" that was used on an '81 machine. I'm guessing not all chassis' went on to become snowmobiles. Some were likely produced strictly as parts and would likely not have a date stamp or prefix for obvious reasons.

[JoeRainville]

Interesting find. It appears to be a replacement tunnel that was stamped with an 80 SN. The 81 dash would go along with a newer tunnel as the hinge is different than the 'snap on' one from 1980.

My guess is that an 80 Liquifire was rebuilt using an 81 or later replacement tunnel. As noted, the replacement tunnels were not stamped from the factory and we're supposed to assume the SN of the machine they were going to be built into.

I hope this is somewhat correct and helpful,
-Joe Rainville

[Platinum_2]

Thanks Joe. If what you say is true, this would mean this one is near the end of the 1980 manufacturing run, making it extra not special.

[AirborneX4Special]

Hood is a 1981 and up style. 1980 version had an open vent like a Trailfire covered with a riveted plate.
The dash is definitely the later style. Much more flexible plastic, molded John Deere logo instead of a recessed decal, and hinge mounted instead of the spring clip on the radiator support bar.
Skis are 1981 and beyond. The 1980 skis had a straight vertical shock mount like the earlier sleds.
Is the speed limiter still on the sled? They were mounted on the underside of the dash starting in 1981. It was a unique piece for 80 and glued to the tunnel if memory serves.

[Platinum_2]

Not sure where the speed limiter is since iI just got it and it is stored 80 miles from me. To be clear, would the dealer have stamped that number into the chassis? Would that number have been the actual number for the sled like Joe suggested, or is it simply a 1980 "part number?"

It would appear either this was a 1980 that was repaired from an accident, perhaps and was repaired with '81 parts, OR this is an' 81 repaired with an '80 tunnel. But, the serial number is confusing.

[AirborneX4Special]

The serial number 153213 looks hand stamped with an individual number stamping tool kit. Factory stamped numbers are always in a row and done with a single strike through the decal. That is a late 80 serial number but it's hard to know if it's real or the how and why. My guess is it's a replacement tunnel but we can only guess forty years after this all allegedly happened. I know some old timer parts guys who might have had some experience with replacement tunnels after a wreck. There was a time where certain people could research the serial number and determine the dealer and even the original owner. Not sure if that's still possible.

[Platinum_2]

Good insight, Pat. Thanks. In any case, this sled will be perfect for a custom project given its roots.

[AirborneX4Special]

Just for fun I will ask my old timer parts guys to see what they might recall. Don't know until you ask and it could be way cool stuff as the dealer sponsored race sleds starting with the 295/S and all the way forward. Sled wrench who raced all of them told me the Liquidator would "Go like hell but just not very far." He didn't have the benefit of Hubert Fixsen enhancing cylinder structure to promote durability and such the way Brian Nelson did.

[Platinum_2]

I'd be curious to learn this sled's history. Odd parts, low miles, fabricated exhaust. Hmmm...

[ETD5458]

14 liquidator engines blew under me in 1976, I blew 5 in one day, not a good season going from the success in 1975, all wins and podiums. The prototype water cooled sleds were beautiful girls and always performed! No issues, JRC... sorry to go of topic! Still pissed

[Platinum_2]

@ETD5458 - Welcome to JD Sleds! Your experience with the dator engines was enough to make you sign up I assume? Glad you're here, please contribute often!

[ETD5458]

Thanks, I will try to be a good poster and share! Best Jon

[sledhead16]

Definitely a replacement tunnel