Make-A-Wish sled restoration project.

[Administrator]

Some nice donations have come in this week, but looking at all that needs to be done, they will not cover everything. So any more donations would be greatly appreciated!

-John

[skiroule]

Snoluver,
You've probably already been scouring the websites but if you are still in need of some things, you might want to try a fellow that has several postings of Ski-Doo stuff on vintagesleds.com. His name is D.R. Jones and he's located in Southern MN. Don't know if these guys are very good about answering email but his contact info is as follows:

Ph: 1-507-665-3837
email: skidoodr@hotmail.com

Also, checkout the website. In one of his posts there is a photo of a bunch of vintage TNTs that look like they might be complete and/or parts machines so if you've hit a wall on some parts, give him a try.

[snoluver1]

I found a 76 tunnel and belly pan in mint shape. Its in lower MI if you are interested let me know. Looks like a good gas tank too. I would bring it up for a chance to ride some back country with some of you guys.

Holy bajeebers, I wish you were on here a month ago! I have so much time and effort into the one I have, I would hate to start over now. Even if it is mint, it is still a ton of work just getting the paint off. I could definitely use some parts off it though. The rear trim piece that the snowflap mounts to is broken(although fixable) on mine, and I could use the front bumper if that is still there.
Also I am searching for a different hood. If anyone has a line on one please let me know!

[snoluver1]

Snoluver,
You've probably already been scouring the websites but if you are still in need of some things, you might want to try a fellow that has several postings of Ski-Doo stuff on vintagesleds.com. His name is D.R. Jones and he's located in Southern MN. Don't know if these guys are very good about answering email but his contact info is as follows:

Ph: 1-507-665-3837
email: skidoodr@hotmail.com

Also, checkout the website. In one of his posts there is a photo of a bunch of vintage TNTs that look like they might be complete and/or parts machines so if you've hit a wall on some parts, give him a try.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[snoluver1]

This is the hood I'm looking for. I would try to fix it if I could but the whole left rear corner is missing. If anybody spots one drop me a line please.

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[polarisrider1]

My brother has a bunch of the parts you need. He comes off as a pain in the rear, but He is running a pretty good size sled salvage Co. on his own. And is limited on time. I will meet you if you drive up and work on him to give us a bunch of the stuff you need. He has barns full of sled parts. He has a nice 440 that will bolt right in that is ready to roll. You just happen to need parts that he has not catergorized yet. (Nash I know I missed spelled that one). You will need a few hours to look and it is 3.5 hrs. from Chicago to his place. So plan a full day. You are actually close compared to most who travel for his wears. He stocks the hard to find stuff. Worth a look.

[snoluver1]

Your brother sounds like a nice enough guy, and he sounds like he really knows his vintage stuff, but he told me flat out he wouldn't look for anything unless I was standing in front of him with cash in hand. Understandable, he is trying to run a business, but from my point, I kinda need some confirmation before I spend 7-8 hours on the road, round trip. Gas ain't exactly cheap. I can't justify driving all the way there, not even knowing for sure if he has anything for me, and also not knowing what kind of coin he is going to want for it.

[snoluver1]

Attachment 27783 Hang in there you can make it look like this.

Looks awesome by the way!

[skiroule]

Snoluver,

Since I'd rather see you building, I'm willing to do some parts leg work if anything turns up within a few hours drive. I can call the guy in LeSueur tomorrow if you like. Also, there is a guy in Albert Lea that is selling a 76 TNT Everest complete (not sure of the difference) with a frozen motor. I can give him a call as well.

I'm guess if PR1's brother has a major salvage yard, he also probably has what you need. I would be willing to venture into enemy territory to check out his parts if it will help. Obviously the hood is a priority item and if there is anything other major items, maybe you can post a list.

There's still time to get this done and it just happens that I have time off between Christmas and New Years and I could put it to good use chasing parts. If you want to PM me a phone number maybe we could solve some of the parts problems.

[skiroule]

Talked to a couple of big boneyards here in MN today. Both claimed a high probability of having a hood. From what I gather, the 75 and 76 fan hoods have slightly different graphics but are they the same otherwise? Multi-year application would increase the likelihood of finding one.

I think I'll make up a few hours at work this weekend and if nothing shakes loose your end, I'll make a day tour next week, probably Wednesday. If I find a decent one that isn't priced like NOS, I'll grab it. Then we'll worry about how to get it to you.

Never mind the parts list. I found it in a previous post

Keep forgetting that PR1 lives in lower MI. Guess that would be quite a drive for me, LOL!

[snoluver1]

Thanks for the Help Skiroule! I think the hoods would be interchangeable between 75-76, possibly even 74? I think the only difference is the graphics and spedo/tach options. Some came with both, some came with only a spedo. I have only a spedo but could use the cover plate off the hood I have.

[polarisrider1]

lol, enemy territory, lol. I am no where near Detroit. Grand Rapids is all nice folks. We are a bit conservative dutch here. I could look through all the barns but I bet I would not find all the right stuff you need. I can match up a belt and windshield but thats about it.
skiroule, you are like a long ways from here, your like 2 states over. p.s. Is the movie "Fargo" a good representation of MN.?? lol.

[skiroule]

Is the movie "Fargo" a good representation of MN.?? lol.

You betcha...

[snoluver1]

Well, unfortunately I didn't have a ton of free time this week. What little I did have was spent researching parts and trying to stick people up for money! We did get a few donations rolling in and with that I was able to purchase the filler I needed for the belly pan.

I'm also dealing with some equipment malfunctions. My 30 year old compressor finally gave up the ghost. I do have a back up, but it has a three phase motor and I need some parts to get it working. Hopefully I will have that squared away by Monday.

Today was not a total loss though. The clutch cover front mount was all mangled up, so I hacked that off and went to work straightening it out.

[IMG][/IMG]

Its funny, the useful junk you can find around the house sometimes. I found this steel drawer divider and it just so happens to be the same gage steel I needed. Bonus, it already has a partial roll that I can work into what I need.




Got the pieces all made up and then it was time to weld it all back together.






Time is going to be in short supply this week also, as we will be in full blown holiday mode at the house. I do have a few days off over the holidays though. I plan on hitting the project hard and hopefully have the chassis ready for paint by the fist of the year.

[renten]

The hood might not be fiberglass. I think Ski Doo was experimenting with different types of body materials around that time. I have a '75 T'NT 340 that I'm getting ready for the trails and some vintage rides and my bodywork is polycarbonate and not fiberglass.

[8rgade@att.net]

74 fiberglass 74 1/2 poly. Try to find a poly one. The fiberglass ones are like eggshells. 74 has inside rubber tie down. 75&76 have outside lever for tie down. I will try to get some pics of under the hood. A everest has a longer track bellypan and hood are the same.

[8rgade@att.net]

100_0766.jpg100_0697.jpg100_0766.jpg100_0665.jpg100_0683.jpg This is 74 TNT 340E

[8rgade@att.net]

Did you find bumpers?

[snoluver1]

Thanks for the info 8rgade. I'm not too worried about the front bumper. Mine is painted not chrome. I could just make them if I have to. My hood is definitely poly and has the outside tie downs.
Your sled looks fantastic! Did you refinish your pipe to get it to look that good, or did you find a NOS one?

[8rgade@att.net]

I did it. Sand blast and painted with high temp paint. Did everything with spray cans beleave it or not. I did bake Ypipe in my gas grill. it is holding up good.

[snoluver1]

I did it. Sand blast and painted with high temp paint. Did everything with spray cans beleave it or not. I did bake Ypipe in my gas grill. it is holding up good.

Your heat shield/fiberglass was in good shape, or did you redo that somehow?

[8rgade@att.net]

Do you mean inside the hood? That was metal.

[snoluver1]

I mean on the pipe itself. The outside is wrapped with a heat shield and under that is fiberglass matting. Mine is rotted through in some spots.

[IMG][/IMG]

[8rgade@att.net]

I had no shield that I know of. Is it removeble. If its on mine its in good shape and I painted it. I did not see any fiberglass.

[8rgade@att.net]

Sorry I see now. No mine was in good shape. I wish you had some snow up there I would see what I can get and come up. Let me make a call and see if my buddy has a pipe.