Make-A-Wish sled restoration project.

phazerpilot

New member
chadlyt,pics were taken right after painting. I added a flatting agent so that as it dries the sheen dulls out at a satin finish just like it had when new.
 

skiroule

Well-known member
As Snoluver1 said a while back, pretty soon we'll see some pics of stuff other than rusty parts. Looks great Phazerpilot...A lot of nooks, crannies, and small surface areas - probably a lot of over-spray!

Flushed and repacked the skid wheel bearings last night. Can't believe the condition of these bearings. They look like new and are perfectly smooth running, even after all these years. Amazing how well they hold up when you can actually grease em'.
 

snoluver1

Active member
Awesome Phazerpilot!!

The pistons/rings and wrist pin bearings showed up. Just waiting on the gasket set and I can start assembling the motor. I am a bit concerned about the center crankshaft seals. They are not in fantastic shape. The only way to replace them is to have the crank pressed apart, and then reassembled and trued. Due to cost and time, I would like to avoid this if possible. I will have to see if I can rig up a way to pressure test the crankcase and each cylinder individually. I am praying it doesn't leak. If we had a bunch of time and a bunch of money, I wouldn't even bother risking it, but we don't have either of those.
 

phazerpilot

New member
I finished the chassis last night. DSCF1044.jpg DSCF1045.jpg DSCF1046.jpg DSCF1047.jpg work is going to have me out of town for the week so i will not get to the hood till next week.
 

snoluver1

Active member
Looks fantastic Phazerpilot! Just the right amount of gloss. Nice job!!!:) I can't wait to see it in person. It feels like there is a hole in my garage since it left-lol.
I am gona head out in a couple minutes to meet Skiroule at the half way point between him and I, to pick up the skid he has been working on. I'll post up some pics of that later tonight.
 

snoluver1

Active member
I met Skiroule up in beautiful downtown Mauston WI to pick up the skid. Skiroule put a lot of time into it, and it looks great! He also found a pair of original/correct skies for the sled that are in really good shape. They even have the original rubber bumpers on the tips. He also found the original toolbox that came with the sled!
Thanks again Skiroule!!!


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skiroule

Well-known member
Good talking to you again Mr. Snoluver1, and it was a pretty nice day for a drive through America's Dairyland. It's definitely a good thing that we're not able to spend more time "working" side-by-side. I think there would be a lot more B.S. and a lot less production.

Still checking to see if I have one more card up my sleeve. Gimme until Wed. P.M. to work the track issue. I may strike out but at least I'm go'in down swing'in.

Phazerpilot - Really like the finish on that pan. Get some trim on it and it's really going to pop. Decals have been shipped from DooDecals so I should be able to get them down there by the time the hood is ready to apply them. You may be called on for some expertise in the decal application area. There's no second chance with the decals.
 
L

lenny

Guest
you guys are rockin, cannot applaud you guys enough for what you are doing. You are contributing to changing a life, kinda like hero's in a sense!
 

skiroule

Well-known member
Thanks for the vote of confidence Lenny! This project just seems to have a way of getting in one’s bloodstream. I’m pretty sure there are several of us out there that wish we had more time and resources to devote to the project but jobs and other obligations still have to come first.

For sure, the sled will be unique in that it may be the only vintage sled ever restored explicitly for the purpose of benefitting a John Dee designated charity. Should this be the case, that makes it a very special sled. It would be great if there are more, but only time will tell.
 

skiroule

Well-known member
frnash oversight needed

I should be able to get them down there by the time the hood is ready to apply them.

I can't believe I said this...it would be great if the hood would apply it's own decals but it ain't gonna happen. frnash, where are you when we need you.

Speaking of which, the full decal set arrived at my palatial estate yesterday and are now on their way to Illinois. They will arrive in McHenry on Friday via Brown. Snoluver1, you probably already know this but the website has some good suggestions for storage and application of the decals. Pay special attention to the one that says: "Keep out of reach of brown, fuzzy Great Pyrenees puppies."
 

snoluver1

Active member
Lenny, I would be hard pressed to call us hero's, but thanks for the encouraging words just the same! It makes it all that much more worth it, when you know people appreciate what your taking on.:eek:

Skiroule, LOL, thats a big ten four. No puppies will get near them. I'm more worried about my 5 year old. The first thing he wants to do with any sticker he finds is stick it on his helmet!
 

snoluver1

Active member
Got some parts ordered up with the donation that came in this week. New fan belt, fuel lines, fuel filter, taillight assembly, brake pads, secondary cam shoes, and a couple other odds and ends that escape me at the moment. All little stuff, but it adds up quickly. I know Skiroule and I are both pretty far into the red. We could use a few more bucks, but I will say, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are almost there, as far as spending money goes.....I think :)
 

snoluver1

Active member
I got in touch with the company I ordered the engine gasket kit from at the beginning of the week, and they assured me the kit would work, even though it was labeled for a 77-79. I called a couple different companies who sold them and got the same answer, so I went ahead and opened the package and matched everything up. All appeared to be the same, so I started to put the crankcase back together. I got all the sealer in place, put the crank seals in and put the two halves together. Thats when I noticed something didn't look quite right. The MAG side crank seal is completely different from the PTO side! The kit had two of the same seals that fit the PTO. When I matched everything I up, I grabbed only one seal to compare, and assumed they were both the same. Another "DOHH" moment. So I was on the hunt for a MAG side seal without much luck. I finally tracked one down at a local bearing supplier. If anyone is ever in the need of an oddball bearing or shaft seal, I highly recommend using Bearing Brokers in Lake Zurich IL. These people are fantastic to deal with and the stuff they have in stock is nothing short of miraculous! I have used them several times and they always seem to have what you need, and if they don't, they can get it. I am talking about stuff that OEM manufacturer's tell you doesn't exist anymore, and hasn't been produced for decades! These people have it or can get it somehow!

So back to square one on the engine. I have to pull all the studs, clean the sealer off and start over. :(
 
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skiroule

Well-known member
I think that gasket set is possessed.

It is such a treat to go into places like the bearing place. They have the stuff you need, are knowledgeable, and actually seem to want your business.

Snoluver1, sent you mail today..
 

snoluver1

Active member
Skiroule, I know you are away from cell and Internet service for a while. I figured I would try you at all available outlets. Hoping you might see this at some point, if you get a chance to get on line.

We are missing one of the decals from the set. The reflective stripe that goes around the belly pan trim is not there. I double checked on the web site and it says it is supposed to be included. I figure you might want to get in touch with them since order is under your info.
 
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