1971 Viking Vigilante

[700classic]

My son and I are trying to put life back into my Father-in-laws old Viking. It has a 440 Kohler in it which runs when we squirt gas in the carb. We want to replace the crank seals before we go any farther. Where in the Mid-Mich. area would we be able to find crank seals and a rebuild kit for a Walbro carb(I think). It hasn't ran since the late70's but found 2 donor sleds. Let resurrection began!

 

[redbirds5]

Try Slick's over in Mason

 

[bearrassler]

If you can't find anything in Michigan let me know, there are a few people that I know that collect Vikings and can get the parts. My dad started Viking and was President of it from 1966 to 1976. Post some pictures if you get it ready.

 

[Rupp Collector]

Growth Products, Inc. (GPI) 124 Lake Street Crystal, MI. I'm sure he'll have everything you need. (989) 235-4294

 

[lenny]

good idead to replace the seals, I learned the hard way more than once and burn

 

[700classic]

Thanks for the info JDer's

Lenny- Haven't learned the hard way yet, but know enough people who have.
Old age sometimes make you smarter?

Bearrassler- Got 2 donor sleds. 1 is actually in better shape then the 1 we are rebuilding. The whole idea is rebuilding the father-in-laws old sled. The 1 thing we can figure out is all the info we found doesn't show that sled with a 440. Family member was a dealer back then so maybe a swap was done?

 

[luvnsnow]

Be sure to post pics would love to see the project.

 

[bearrassler]

700Classic, I did a little checking and back in those days even if it wasn't an official model/motor combination they still made some with whatever they had in inventory at that time. You might find many different things on some of the same models. Did you find the parts that you are looking for?

 

[700classic]

Haven't called about parts yet, other issues came up. Going to try to get to it next week. This project was suppose to be done by now, but hard to work on when 80 deg. out. A little chill in the air only seems right when you're working on the sled.

 

[700classic]

Growth Products, Inc. (GPI) 124 Lake Street Crystal, MI. I'm sure he'll have everything you need. (989) 235-4294

Thanks RC. Went up there today(Sat.) and got everything I'll need for the engine(I hope). I don't think the engine will be a problem but that damn Walbro carb could be a pain. Still trying to locate pics of when we drug the Viking out of the barn.

 

[MnHiFlyr]

If it has the plastic 'fastrack' and you plan on riding it, I would swap out for a rubber track. I had one as a kid with the 440 and it was a great machine, many fun miles on it for the time, but we kept breaking sections of the plastic track or the metal rods that hold them together. Not sure what year(s) that was available, but I'd avoid it, or you'll be towing it home guaranteed.

Have fun and good luck with it!

I think they were originally out of Twin Valley, and I graduated High School near there, so was able to procure parts from an old codger that operated a parts store in town back in the day, that was always an adventure walking in to that place.

 

[700classic]

If it has the plastic 'fastrack' and you plan on riding it, I would swap out for a rubber track. I had one as a kid with the 440 and it was a great machine, many fun miles on it for the time, but we kept breaking sections of the plastic track or the metal rods that hold them together. Not sure what year(s) that was available, but I'd avoid it, or you'll be towing it home guaranteed.

Have fun and good luck with it!

I think they were originally out of Twin Valley, and I graduated High School near there, so was able to procure parts from an old codger that operated a parts store in town back in the day, that was always an adventure walking in to that place.

The original track was rubber, it met with a steel fence post, post won! The donor sled has a plastic fastrack on that we are going to use. Once we get the old thing back together it won't see more than 30-40 miles a winter. Where we will ride it we'll never be more than a couple of miles from one of our group's houses. Can't remember if the 2nd donor sled has a track on it or not. I know why you didn't need a backpack back then, you lift up the seat on that thing and it will hold at least 1 case of adult beverage(your choice) if not more.

 

[MnHiFlyr]

My experience with a brittle old fastrak is that you won't make it to the end of the street. I am pretty sure I used an Arctic Cat track on mine, my model was a Vanguard 440, possibly the same skid length, but not sure exactly. It's worth the research and update, IMHO.

 

[bearrassler]

I googled Daves Vintage Sleds and he has copys of most of the old brochures on his web site. In the 1971 brochure it did show the Vigilante with a 440 Kohler 30 HP motor. They were first made in Ashland, WS from 1966 to 1968 and in 1969 they moved to Twin Valley, MN and were made there until 1976 when they went out of business. The Fastrak will give you lots of problems in real cold weather (-10 or colder) but should work ok in warmer temps. Make sure that the keepers are in the holes that the metal bars go in and you should be fine for limited riding.

 

[700classic]

If its -10 or colder the Viking will stay in the barn and probably so will I!

 

[MnHiFlyr]

Make sure that the keepers are in the holes that the metal bars go in and you should be fine for limited riding.

That might have been my problem, not sure we used any keepers or knew what they were for. I was young, and it kept spitting sections out, likely due to losing the rod. That would make sense.

-10 is drinks by the fire weather, I concur on staying inside!

Good luck and post some pics of the progress!

 

[700classic]

Pictures B.V. Before Viking

Here are the pictures that you all have been waiting for, finally got a chance to get on here and found out where I hid those things. More to come as we dive deeper into the mysterious viking.

 

[MnHiFlyr]

Cool, mine was purple too! Seeing it on the snow brings back memories, thanks for sharing!

 

[700classic]

Working on the engine and carb this weekend. It will be nice to see it on the snow without the tow strap hooked to it.

 

[700classic]

The 440 Kohler powerhouse is back together! 1 new piston,gasket set,carb rebuild kit, box of pizza and a few beers it is ready to fly. Novi next Sat. than on to the next step in the rebuild of the fast and furious Viking!