Just got my first JD!

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
jerkmybait
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:28 am
Location: Colorado

Just got my first JD!

Post by jerkmybait »

Hey guys, just found this site because I just bought a JD!

Saw an ad on craigslist for a $100 JD snowmobile. Called the guy and grabbed some 50:1 fuel from the garage. I didn't expect it to start (the guy said it was last started 10 years ago) Got there and the JD looked in OK shape I guess. Poured in some fresh gas and and gave it some pulls and it started! I think the seller was as shocked as me! The smoke was just pouring out of it(the smell reminded me of my dad's old Harley golf cart when I was a kid) Probably some OLD gas in the fuel filter/lines. Pressed the throttle it worked and idled good! So I gave him the $100 and loaded it up.

Anyway the specs:
It's a JDX 340.
I believe it is a 74 or 75 (JDX4D with a date of 9/74)
Only 470 miles on the odometer.
Headlamp mounted for headlight :laugh:

I can't wait to look at this thing in the daylight tomorrow! :sled:

I'll probably have some questions for you guys because this thing has got to have a few problems.
This is a nice site, I have enjoyed reading it tonight!
Matt
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Real Name: Matt
Location: Coopersburg, PA
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Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by Matt »

That's a '75 JDX4. Enjoy! Make sure you take a look through the FAQ section, you may find a lot of answers there before you even have to ask.
:usa: Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator
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solitaryman85
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 11:10 am
Location: Minot, North Dakota

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by solitaryman85 »

Nice find! I'd like to get my hands on a 75' JDX series model too. You should post a pic for us.
Lance
74-JDX8
74-295/S
jerkmybait
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:28 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by jerkmybait »

Here are some pics:
Image
Image
Image
cledussnow77
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Real Name: Ed Jones
Location: northwest ohio

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by cledussnow77 »

Great find and it runs :dance: , that's always a plus . :clap: Good luck on your restoration . :beers; Ed
Nothing Runs Like A Deere
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solitaryman85
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Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 11:10 am
Location: Minot, North Dakota

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by solitaryman85 »

Awesome! Looks like that sled's got stories to tell. Have fun with her!
Lance
74-JDX8
74-295/S
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WinnipegStPaul9
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Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Actually kind of a cool color!!
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
lwb140
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Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 11:34 pm
Real Name: Wade bennett
Location: linden IN

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by lwb140 »

:welcome: welcome aboard this is a pretty cool community and a great resource for parts and info . jd sledding is a relatively cheap hobby thats lots of fun, great find on your jdx seems like once you start looking the old deeres poor out of the woodwork .i bet your jdx wont be your only jd sled long !! wade
certificate recipiant of the 12 vintage challenge !! on a 78 liquifre 440,
certificate recipiant of the 13 vintage challenge !! on a 340/s
certificate recipient of the 14 vintage challenge !! on a 78 liquifire 440
joe forgot the certificates for the 2015 vintage challenge
crossed the start/finish line twice at the 2013 and 2014 I500 on a 78 liquifire 440
jerkmybait
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:28 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by jerkmybait »

Well I just got done messing around with the sled. :)

There was still some old gas in it (I couldn't tell at night), so that accounts for all the smoke. Pulled the tank and drained the old gas and filled it up with new. Took me a long time to get gas to the carb. Not really sure what the problem was, but I bypassed the fuel filter with some hose and blew into one of the tubes and finally got gas in the lines. (I was thinking about installing an inline primer bulb because it was a pain). Anyway I got the sled started and took a small test drive in the front yard. My buddy took a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9kEvWnugio

I was wondering if any of you guys know the part # for this on the gas tank(it was all rusted and I think may have been why we could get any pressure in the gas lines; theres a cap that goes on the bottom tube that is not on in the pic):
Image

I think the carb has a built in fuel pump as well? Didn't see one so it must. (Edit: it does have a fuel pump hiding below the carb)

After that test drive we took it to a field and the sled FLEW :sled: It was a lot of fun, and now I have a buddy that is looking to buy one :)

Also where could I order a factory service manual for this sled?

Thanks guys for the comments, I am really enjoying this old sled so far!
Last edited by jerkmybait on Sat Feb 27, 2010 6:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Matt
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Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by Matt »

Just watched the video...did you just turn it around and drive back and forth over the drift? LOL. There is supposed to be another fuel line attached to the gas tank, it's a return line from the carb. Do you know what kind of carb it is or do you have any photos?
:usa: Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator
jerkmybait
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:28 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by jerkmybait »

Hey Matt, ya we just drove it over the drift a few times, but then loaded it up and went to a field and it ran great!

Here's a pic of the carb. I thought it would have a return as well, but there was a plastic cap on the line in the pic I posted above, so I am not really sure it's a different carb with no return or what. I'll have to figure it out because blowing into the tube to get gas in the lines wasn't very fun.

Image

I really appreciate everyones help!
jerkmybait
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:28 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by jerkmybait »

Hmmm...very tricky......there is a fuel pump. The line from the gas tank goes into the fuel pump. Then from the fuel pump to the carb. There is also a line from the fuel pump to the engine for pressure. Love this old sled!
Last edited by jerkmybait on Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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JDCornFlakes
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Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:00 am
Location: SW Ontario, Canada

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by JDCornFlakes »

I think ED Poets has those fittings for tank brand new NOS still ? Check with user DeereDaze on here.

Welcome aboard and good luck with her.
Dave
DAVE
From Ontario...That's in Canada not in California eh !
jerkmybait
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:28 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by jerkmybait »

Thanks JD, not sure what NOS means? On a side note, there isn't much to these old engines, now I'm looking for a parts sled :lol:
AirborneX4Special
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Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: Just got my first JD!

Post by AirborneX4Special »

A primer really helps on an X4. Mine had a primer installed on the side of the dash opposite the recoil, one of those pull/push deals. It made the choke largely irrelevant
because you just gave it a squirt or three and then one or two more after it started until it warmed up.

NOS means New Old Stock parts, as in old inventory and never installed on a machine.
Have fun!
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