I found this snowmobile at the dump!

[rustybronco]

It has a shot head gasket so oil ends up in the coolant.

Tank

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?

[Steel Toed Tank]

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?

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

[rustybronco]

You must own a 4.6 and or a Thunderbird/Cougar!

Nope... I work at a Ford dealer.

You're welcome Tank.

[Steel Toed 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

[Bevo]

Great find!

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

[stain]

I am jealous that you have snow. I have a brand new 2012 Yamaha Apex sitting in my trailer waiting to be ridden. I have had @25 sleds in my years and love riding.
I also agree if you think a motorcycle is a rush get on a 150 hp snowmobile with a 15inch by 36inch footprint for traction and hang on!!

[Steel Toed Tank]

Yeah last winter here there wasn't much snow all winter, but it was COLD!
This year the snow came quick, and it's cold enough that it stayed.
Right now we have 'freezing fog' rolling through, that one's new to me.

Yesterday I think a bearing on the final drive end of the drive train failed.
I managed to get it home but it was getting dark by then so I haven't inspected it yet.
When I turned the drive pulley by hand I could hear the crunchy grinding of metal on metal.
Luckily all bearings through out are standard sizes and are readily available at minimal prices.
Which is a good thing because any parts for this that are 'Arctic Cat only' are insanely priced.


Tank

[tas850g]

Nice score on both. Good things DO happen to good people. Check out vintage sleds.com for parts. It's the best place to find ANYTHING old for these vintage sleds.

I checkout the sites just to day dream about getting a 1977-78 TX 440 free-air.

Oh, what the hell is up with all that snow??? It's only November.

[Steel Toed Tank]

Oh, what the hell is up with all that snow??? It's only November.

Lol, we've had snow for over 3 weeks now!
I live pretty far north though.



Tank

[Bookmon]

Great story. We don't have much need for those in ALabama. But I have seen folks use them in water......not sure if that is cool... but they did it.

[hjfisk]

I am jealous that you have snow. I have a brand new 2012 Yamaha Apex sitting in my trailer waiting to be ridden. I have had @25 sleds in my years and love riding.
I also agree if you think a motorcycle is a rush get on a 150 hp snowmobile with a 15inch by 36inch footprint for traction and hang on!!

Yes that is a handfull , I have a ZR800, piped shaved heads, clutched and V-force reeds, 192 studs, cluth dynoed at 166 hp, that is faster 0-120 then my old GSXR1100 was, I use to run it in the local radar runs in the 800 -900 open class and could put down consecutive runs 94-98mph in 660ft . I won that class a few times.

[Eli69]

dude that's a great little sled. i got the same one and for free too.



they could use a little more power though. mine tends to bog down in the deep stuff or going up a steep hill. but they kick @ss on curvy trails. i can actually pass the big new sleds there.







we've only got a couple inches of snow so far. hoping for a good winter. last year sucked.

[chuck hahn]

Youll never get it to run right or have any power with that pod!! LMAO...I just couldnt resist.

[hjfisk]

Youll never get it to run right or have any power with that pod!! LMAO...I just couldnt resist.

Actually Chuck 2 stroke sleds don't even need a air cleaner , no dust, they use an air box for noise levels and so they don't have a direct line to ingest sno dust which in the case of to much it can and will crack pistons. I run nothing but a power breather which is just a big open box on the ZR 800. Not as picky as our beloved GS's. makes it hard to switch mind frames with the seasons.

[Steel Toed Tank]

Nice one Eli!
I haven't found any spots that it won't go yet, but then again the snow isn't too deep or soft, and there's not a lot of hills!

They are both right Chuck, the 'air box' on these is called 'air silencer assembly'.
I'm currently running it without any kind of filter at all!

In a bit of good news, a close inspection of the sled showed me that the brake disk came loose on the shaft, that's what was making all the noise, bearings are all still good!

And good news from the t-bird too.
I checked upper and lower rad hoses, thermostat and coolant res and I cannot find any sign at all of oil ever being in the cooling system.
Next week I'll be picking up the parts I need to get it running and I'll find out whats leaking, and from where.
I learned Ford recalled the all plastic intake manifold that mine has due to hairline cracks developing and leaking coolant.
Good replacement upgrade manifolds are available for around $200 including gaskets, so even if mines not cracked or leaking I'll be replacing it anyways.



Tank