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I found this snowmobile at the dump!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steel Toed Tank
  • Start date Start date
S

Steel Toed Tank

Guest
I was dropping a load of shingles off at the local dump in the spring and saw a 1989 Arctic Cat Jag 340 Deluxe with 4000 miles on the dial sitting beside the scrap metal pile.
It was sitting nice and tall so I could tell the suspension wasn't beat out of it.
I walked over and popped the hood and found it was complete, but the heads had been unbolted.
I figured it probably needed to be rebuilt.

I asked the manager of the dump if he'd sell it, he said "if you want it, take it."

I figured if it took less than $300 or so to get it going well, it'd be worth it.
It got pushed into a back corner of the garage and forgotten about as right around then I bought my GS.

So with the bike now put away and the snow falling it was time to dig into it.

First thing I did was buy gas lines, and three bolts for the heads (the rest were in the tool compartment).
Once I got the heads bolted on (gaskets were still good) I gave it a few tugs and found the compression was way above the factory minimum!

So then I moved on to spark. No spark at all.
The keyed ignition had been bypassed with an on/off switch.
I tested the usual things (stator, coil, r/r etc.)the usual ways in the electrical system and found the kill switch and the on/off switch to be faulty.
I removed the switch bypassing the ignition and just ran a jumper across the ignition plug, then unplugged and jumped the kill switch.
And then there was spark!

I opened up and cleaned out both the VM30 carb and Mikuni pulse fuel pump and reinstalled them with all new lines.
I mixed some 50:1 in a plastic soda bottle and put in the line going to the pump.
A few pulls and she fired up!

So I had a running sled for just under $5!!
Once I knew it ran I found an ebay seller with new parts and ordered all the little stuff it needed.

I cleaned out the water and rust filled plastic fuel tank (something metal had rotted in there), and filled it up with fuel.
Took it for a few rips around the property, but it started to be a beast to start, and would not idle at all.

I checked the fuel pump and found it was leaking gas into the pulse line, which both lowered the vacuum at the carb and flooded the engine.
There was a second pump in the tool compartment, so I opened it up and salvaged the diaphragm out of it.
I also went through the carb again and found the pilot circuit was still dirty
Once that was fixed it started in a couple pulls, and after some fine tuning it idled fairly well.

I installed all the parts I ordered including oil tank cap, gas cap, ignition (yay, keys!) choke cable and leaver, spark plugs, proper length pull cord, fuel filter and hood latch brackets.
All brand new parts and all for under $75!

It has electric start (hense the 'Deluxe' in the name) but the starter is pooched, so getting a new one is on my to do list, along with ski-skins, drive belt, windshield, light bulbs and carbide wear bars.

Today was my first chance to go ripping around on it, but just in case something broke down I stayed close to home.
Still managed to put 10kms on it and had no problems at all.

It's top speed with me on it is 45-50mph!
The track and sliders are in great shape and the speedo still works!
The crank seals are good, the drive chain and gears show minimal wear, The hood looks rough but is still solid and in one piece.
The seat is kind of rough, but nothing black duct tape wont fix.

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Nice toy for under $100!

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Oh, the motor is a Suzuki Spirit 2-stroke twin, single carb.


Tank
 
Good score Tank. I think it counts as Northern Saskatchewan motorcycle for the Riding Game.;)
 
Been a few years since I have been on a sled.
With a good track on and some skill you can take them anywhere even across water, through the woods, up mountains.
Might want to put some chains around skis if your planning any steep mountain rides, for the trip down.
Attach enough chain to the pull bar in front of skid/ski both ends of chain with just enough to not wack your stabilizer.
If the snow is icy or real fast just put the loop under skid and it will help you to keep a slower pace coming down.
The only problems i have really had is to much snow yup you heard me right to much snow!
Dress warm be prepared to hike if you have problems and have tons of fun.
I am jealous not only of your find but knowing you have snow!
 
bccap said:
Good score Tank. I think it counts as Northern Saskatchewan motorcycle for the Riding Game.;)
Click to expand...

Sure it does, that should apply to anyone unfortunate enough to live where you can't ride all winter.

Nice score, Tank. I love finding stuff like this.
 
She's a beauty. I have had a couple of jags and old enticers and there a blast to beat on and they can take a beating. We drowned one once and when we pulled it out of the water and opened the top end we found the rod bent. Couple smacks with the sledge she was running like a top
 
How does that thing work without wheels and what the heck is with all that white stuff on the ground...:D
 
I can see Crankthat's never been in Saskatewan.Mountains in Sack,LOL.
 
That's got to be the best garbage dump find I've heard about in a long time. They used to let us scrounge the dump but that privileged has come and gone a long time ago. Good job, and sucks to be you that you actually NEED a snowmobile. Hey didn't someone actually put a track on a GS once????....hhhmmmmmm
 
Way to go Tank! Thanks for posting, that was a good read. Where I grew up I always had a snowmobile. Always said that if you think it's 'freedom' on a motorcycle then you should try snowmobiling. True freedom to go ANYWHERE! My last one was a 79 Palaris TX250 that I bought in 80 at age 14 from working a summer in tobacco. Yeah I earned that one!:D
I would love another one but no use for one around here.:(
 
Cool

I rebuilt the front and rear suspension on an '88 Polaris Indy Trail last winter. It was interesting. I would have been better off to buy a sled in better condition, but I've got rear suspension from a 650 and fox shocks now Fun stuff It works great now!
 
You'll probably go to the dump more often, who knows what you might find!
Good story.
In the spring you could trade it for a bike!
Or you could probably trade it for a bike now!
 
Thanks everybody. I've been at it a few weeks now and today was the day I finally got it idling good and put some miles on it, so I was real stoked and wanted to share!
Haha, northern Saskatchewan motorcycle, I love it!
I will be trying to get some tags with it though.
And not to worry, I'm not a fan of the cold so I have all the right gear to stay toasty warm no matter what.
When the daytime high is -36 you figure out real quick what works and what doesn't!


Speaking of good deals....

I just got back from picking up a 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX with the 4.6lt V8 that I bought for the low low price of $200!!!

It has a shot head gasket so oil ends up in the coolant.
PO got a quote of $1400 to fix it(it's a 9 hour job), and parked it instead.
It has sat for the last 5 years.
I can fix it myself for the price of parts, which is about $300.

Fully loaded, in fact it has every option that was available, except for the moon roof and leather seats.

Never been in a wreck, no dents, rust or scratches.

Even the interior is clean and smoke free.

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Today has been a great day in Tankland!

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Tank
 
Last edited:
You are getting some good deals up there Tank. I've never been on a snowmobile but would love to ride one one day. Nice find on the T-bird, my mom had a green 95 and that thing would get up and go.
 
Steel Toed Tank said:
It has a shot head gasket so oil ends up in the coolant.

Tank
Click to expand...
Just a thought... The oil filter housing adapter 'gasket' could be leaking between the block and the adapter allowing engine oil into the coolant.

Are you sure it's engine oil in the coolant and not transmission fluid?
 
rustybronco said:
Just a thought... The oil filter housing adapter 'gasket' could be leaking between the block and the adapter allowing engine oil into the coolant.

Are you sure it's engine oil in the coolant and not transmission fluid?
Click to expand...

You must own a 4.6 and or a Thunderbird/Cougar!
I scoured the TCCoA (T-bird,Cougar club of America) forum using the search feature and I learned that the chances of this 4.6 having a pooched head gasket is about the same as "the chances of finding leprechauns in Alaska"
Pretty much everyone knowledgeable posted back to those who asked, the very same advice you just gave me!

I'm only going by what the PO said, and we all know how trustworthy the PO's can be.
I will be going through this car from front to back much like my GS and sled, so I know I will find what the issue is.
That would be great if it's not the h/g, as pulling the heads on these is supposed to be a real PITA.

Thanks for the advice Rusty!

Tank
 
Nice, my best bud does too!
In fact that's the Ford dealers tow truck we borrowed to get the car home.
The shop is also a Sterling truck dealer, and so he works on the heavy truck side.
Which means I get full access to the shop after hours, and parts at cost plus 10%.
I can't argue with that.



Tank
 
Great find!

It amazing how much snow you guys out west have, Ontario is not seeing much at all..
 
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