$150 Sled Sat Untouched For 30 Years. Will It Run?

[@randoir1863]

WOOOO HOOO !!!! She runs or at least started once !!!! Congrats on fixing another snowmobile !!!!!

[@bradanderson2321]

I bought a 1974 artic cat panther 440 from a farmer back 25 years ago. Engine seemed locked up but it would rotate about an inch either direction. I pulled the heads and jugs and the entire crankcase was filled to the top with soybeans. Damn mice. Split the case, cleaned it out, honed cylinders and re ringed it and put weisco pistons in it. Ran great. Faster than I expected.

[@danhooper3819]

My favorite hobby was restoring vintage sleds from the mid 1960's - early 1990's, I have no idea how many I restored there were so many, the one thing I became very good at was rebuilding carbs, Tillitson, Walbro Mikuni ect. I had no choice but to quit because of my back, I had a terrible habit of not asking for help when lifting and moving these old sleds into and off the back of my truck and trailers, and around my garage and property. My favorite restoration was a 71 Arctic Cat Lynx 292, that little thing was so much fun to ride for a single cylinder, it looked showroom new...I got it for $150, I sold it for $2000, but that was with a few hundred dollars and a ton of time and effort put into it....I enjoyed every minute of it. The guy I sold that 71 Lynx to enters it in many vintage snowmobile shows. This old 340 video brings back memories.

[@Jes_se]

I thought 77 was a little off I was born in 64 and road one of these at seven right into the trees not a good day lol. Loud and proud she is slow and powerful will pull a trailer like nothing. You are going to love this tank.

[@corey5675]

Such a change in views from bikes to sleds! I like them all. Hopefully this channel blows up soon as it's very under rated in my opinion. People mowing lawns get 6m views ffs lol.

[@j.w.3345]

I had a 72 440 in beautiful shape. Ran like a top. always kept in my dad's old barn. Two weeks after he passed, his gold digging wife had it and all my things that I had stored in his barn tossed in a dumpster and hauled away. Not even a phone call to come get my stuff. Great old sleds! Wish I still had it. Thanks goldie.

[@chrisrosenberg863]

Very nice! My father bought the same model new in 1972 and I grew up riding the machine, great memories! Arctic Cat was the first manufacture to invent the slide rail rear skid while other manufacturers were using the boogie wheel carrier for the track. A beautiful machine for the 2vintage fleet!

[@jefffreestone8476]

My dad bought this same machine in 1972 when I was 13 years old. This was the first machines that I ever rode on. I did happen to remember he paid $1095 for it.

[@chrisrosenberg863]

@@jefffreestone8476 I was 7 years old then, yes it doesn't sound like a lot to pay for it but back then it was a lot of money too. A great way to spend time with our Fathers for sure.

[@simplyfred8044]

I was 15 in 72 and drove many fun miles on a Cat like that.

[@howlinhog]

I remember seeing those on the show room floor brand new. That particular model was marketed to "the ladies". Pretty sure it's not a 77. Styling in the late seventies was much more sleek.

[@jayjudd6518]

Ho Lee. Chit!! Your a genius. I was ready to give up , yes just throw up my hands . Thanks again I’m a believer now .

[@rilynnsfidgetsfun3741]

I mean seriously, is there any machine this man can't make run. What a legend

[@M42650]

The impressive stuff is the real complicated diagnostic work, top ends are not too difficult.

[@2thehook773]

Run and run right are 2 different things. He's a hack.

[@fenderbender2446]

@Mainely Maine Outdoors his videos are entertaining but he does cut corners alot. But at this point I get it the guy has so many machines coming in and out for content. For most well tuned mechanics it can seem like a hack job but I think this is what 2v does, he’s not rebuilding machines and making them perfect he gets them going and onto the next.

[@smokeyou812]

@@fenderbender2446 spot on. He's trying to make money both from content and flipping....it's a business and he's doing Damn good for a 23/24 yo

[@crackedthieves]

I have a trike he couldn't make run if he tried it hasn't ran in 10 years because it quit one day and I tried 18 different repair shops and none of them could get it running again

[@jefffreestone8476]

My father bought the same machine in 1972 for $1095. We used it to feed our cows in the back fields behind our house. He built his own homemade sleigh to tow behind.

[@jpc42480]

My cousin in Minnesota has the identical panther, we have been beating on it for over 25 years without breaking anything, I believe it’s the original belt lol , Great beater sled!!!

[@josephdenver1612]

These videos are addictive... he taught me a lot.

[@rickfazzini22]

I don’t have the snow to own or get the chance to work on snowmobiles but I work on a good bit of vintage dirt and street bikes. One of the first things I do when trying to get spark is unscrew the cap ohm test it then cut off 1/8-1/4” and reinstall the cap. This removes oxidation of the connection allowing better conductivity. You do great work, very methodical 👍🏻

[@markwarren3590]

Every video I watch your methodical diagnosis is so good u never get stressed and always suss it out and get them running . For a 30 year old sled that's brilliant compression she'll be a ripper for sure

[@denniskrohn7034]

Love the old Arctic cats My dad had a 1971 440 Panther , same look you have , they were the the machine to have back in the day. Me a 12 year old screaming along on that beast. Nice find. I am 65 now and still have my Arctic cat snowmobile suit. Looks like new. Thank you for the video.

[@krisi.2011]

My first sled was a 1972 pattern 440 very similar to this sled now I've had 15 to 18 new ones it all started from this sled .... brings back pure joy memories of innocents and fun .

[@bobbykeyz1263]

I had basically the same sled when I was younger. Arctic Cat 340 Puma. It was one of the most reliable sleds, never breaking down. I used to have to blow in my gastank to get it to start when it was cold.

[@darrinwoodward14]

So one fuel line is the feed,the other is the return.the feed needs to go almost to the bottom of the tank.also,that carb is a pumper carb.the pump is the bottom half of the carb,and it has diaphragms in it.last time I restored one,dennis kirk sells parts for them.should b able to get carb kit and the fuel filter that screws onto the bottom of the carb.pay attention to the way it comes apart!!

[@CountryAndClassics]

Sure wished I could find an Arctic Cat for what You got that for. This brings Me back so Many memories of when I was apprenticing at Northern Toyota & We sold those during winter months. Had a blast with them! Best ones in the field. Oh! Yes, they did come with electric starter as an option.

[@davidlong8876]

Mine was the 1973 Panther 500 (3-cylinder). This replaced my 1968 Roll-o-flex (1 cyl). I put holes in one of the pistons 2 or 3 times. In 1980, someone cut the wires and lines and tried to pull the engine out when we were out of town for a weekend. Never got it running again after that. Compared the the 1-lung Hirth, this one was fast! The "family model" seat was big enough to hold three of us kids.

[@thomasadrian9854]

Our family had a ‘69 Panther with the large single cylinder- we called it “The Tank”…. PS- Arctic’s colors during that period were purple & black, so it’s faded purple and not intentionally “pink”….great vid !!

[@joer6248]

Great job. I've had a few of these old Cats over the years, including a 1973 Cheetah with a 440 Kawasaki, which I suspect was quite similar to the 340 Kawasaki in your Panther. My Cheetah was a quick sled for its era, but it often fouled plugs and ran hot when temperatures were above 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The tank has two lines because one of them is a return; I don't think the tank is pressurized. Also, I agree with what a couple other posters have said about brittle sprockets on these 1967 - 1972 Cats. I had a 1968 Panther which destroyed its sprockets the first time I started it. I think reproduction sprockets are available.

[@the_truck_farmer]

My uncle had one of those when I was a kid! That thing floated over powder since it was so light. And the cleated track was great for the powder too.

[@tuscaroradave]

It's great learning together on such a challenging project!! Yours has recently become my favorite KZbin channel. Thumbs up for sure on this one!!

[@KevinMn1]

Love the snowmobile content! One tool I think you would really like is an impact driver for removing rusted screws. You kinda accomplished the same thing when you were pounding on the screwdriver but the impact driver also twists it for you when hit with hammer. Also, when I've worked on snowmobile engines I like to pull the drive belt off the clutch so that when it does start I can throttle it up without the track moving. Great work!

[@philipgagne1852]

That's the worst thing you can do... The clutch can randomly slam closed and break it.. there's a reson the say not to.

[@KevinMn1]

​@@philipgagne1852 That's an interesting take and maybe something that newer or racing clutches are prone to. I've been wrenching on sleds for over 30 years (as a hobby not a professional) but mostly 70's-early 2000's and never had a problem. That's not to say it's not possible, I have just not ever heard of it happening. When I do need to run the track I'll put them up on stands. In my opinion, on a scale of worst things to do there are a lot more ahead of it including the sled moving forward when you or your bystanders were not prepared. Best solution then would be to always lift the rear on a stand.

[@philipgagne1852]

Yeah all clutches can do this look in repair and service manuals many say not to run without a belt it's a big big no no.

[@casey8207]

Not shitting you man. I had this same sled in 6th grade I rode it for 4 years my dad bought a house and it was in the back yard we got it running and it ran forever. Super nostalgic for me.

[@chrislindquist2003]

Love the old Arctic Cats. Nice job getting it going. One thing you will want to watch for is the track drive cogs. They get very brittle with age and may grenade when you start riding it. Keep up the good work! 👍

[@bryankerr69]

Gotta love the old machines. Best for trail riding. We used to have one like that when I was a kid.

[@johnreis1872]

My first sled was a 74 arctic cat cheetah 340, man does this sled bring back a lot of good memories! What a diamond in the rough you got there!

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

Man these old snowmobiles bring back memories. These and the old contact point motors on snowblowers is where I began being taught about small engine repair. I had a Pantera and then an old Phazer. We cleaned the metal gas tanks on the old ones by putting stones in them and shaking them forever! Love the videos bud!

[@BXtremP]

Rocks or screws/nails is the way to go!

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

@@BXtremP Yup and shake shake shake!

[@illinoisfarmer7340]

Sled fixing videos r the best 👌

[@passenger6735]

All in all a success story. Im guessing that the numbers written on the head plate were previous compression values. I know nothing about these sleds but I doubt wether the gas tank needs pressurising. Could it be a flow and return? You could maybe get one of those carb bowls 3D printed or turned from a piece of aluminium stock easily enough. The slots in the flywheel are for adjusting the points through. (The croc clips were sort of sparking behind the plugs when you were turning it over by the way). The flywheel would only need removing when a points or condensor replacement was required. Evaporust and tank sealer will sort that tank out. This is third video Ive watched and I love your enthusiasm. Keep them coming.

[@nancycook3733]

Eric Sandrin in Kirkland Lake had this sled it had 2 optional motors a 292 a and b motor super simple to work on and fix and talk about go anywhere sled ! The only other skidoo that could go where this panther could was a '68 super Olympic bomb , I know I owned 1 lol, but anyhow there's a little modification that we did and that was add some plates to lift the slide suspension on the 3/4 cleat steel track and it made a huge difference in the powder, and climb almost any hill up to almost 90 degrees, kid you not small motor but dam strong and pull ( emergency towing ) sleds 5 times its size and weight if I had the chance to get another one of these Panthers I'd buy it in a heart beat !!! I know what these old sleds can do it and they are amazingly strong and great in the powder and off trail riding !!

[@mcvet57103]

Older sleds have a wear rod welded to the bottom of the skis, Newer ones have mounting holes in the skis for carbide wear rods. Also, check the Hifax for wear.

[@tweek857]

You deserve a thumbs up Always so patient, and you keep it simple. Checking simple things first like it should be

[@Crazyhorseracing461]

Ya got to love reviving machines that has set for 30 plus years!!!!

[@Bri-tg6xr]

Woah, I think I grew up with that exact sled my dad had one. I recognize the pattern on the seat!

[@sporadiccadence567]

Absolute Legend. Love your content and how frequently you post. It never gets old to me. thank you!

[@smokeyou812]

What's really impressive he fixes on average 4 machines a week, does his own camera work and own editing. I'd kill to have half his motivation.

[@The_Wood]

Dude, I had a late 70s model Arctic Cat Cheetah and Pantera back in the early 80s when I lived in the UP of Michigan. You working on these vintage sleds and bringing them back to working order reminds me of some of the best times of my life. I had so much fun as a young teenager riding those sleds all over the UP. The Pantera was so fast (in my mind, anyway) and the Cheetah was the perfect cruising machine. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@kellismith4329]

I am old enough to remember when those were new, the artic cats ruled the land the 340’s and 440’s nice machines

[@thompsonce]

If your going to get into older snowmobiles always keep a squirt bottle with premix in it and you can squirt a bit in the carb with the thotle open to see if it will fire up for a couple of seconds to get an idea on how the motor runs and what you need to do next

[@lucascady4992]

My Mom had one of these in the early-mid 80's!! Heated tunnel, grips, thumb throttle, high windshield!!

[@bryanpersig3055]

That's an amazing find. I grew up on a machine just like that. They are a great machine for a old one

[@krazy4baja]

Very cool. Good to see something several yrs back run again. Hope to see the other video part of this machine soon

[@craigmorgan4676]

Joe u scored with this 1,150 bucks,not too shabby!Gl with getting it sorted!🤔😬🤨🙏🙏🙏👊

[@jefferyholland]

Great to see you get it running. Keep up the sled videos, very interesting to watch.

[@Costanza2014]

I had a '70 or '72 Cheetah 440 when my son was born in 2000. It was great for towing him around the yard when he was young. It was the Father In Laws before I got it.

[@joemusicman64]

Dude Jade was right, I remember her saying "if anyone can get it running, Joe can". That was many videos ago. I keep seeing evidence backing up this statement. Awesome work my man. Keep the awesome content coming. That sun room looks awesome.

[@garysgarage3669]

I don't know if you saw the gas leaking right above the coils. Great video

[@adrianm.2043]

Really impressed with your diagnostic skills. Well done for the progress so far. TI worked on cars, bikes and tractors up to about forty years ago in England, I never vame across the problems you have with mice in America. We have mice of course but they don't usually invade our vehicles.

[@minimalivingod5717]

Bro i'm over shouting when it finally got started lol! GJ

[@jameslittlefield4812]

So glad you got an old arctic cat!! My family had these growing up, lots of good memories bc of these old sleds!

[@ni_wink84]

30 years sitting and it really wasn’t that messed up, I did get worried when it didn’t turn over though! Awesome vid

[@randallswallow3914]

I find you video's entertaining and fun to watch. But I must say it's very sad how many people just out and out lie to you about the condition of the things you are buying. it's great you have the skills to over come this, But I think of that young kid that's saved up his money to buys one of these projects and the person he buys it from is a Scumb*g and takes advantage of them and when they get it home they find they have been lied to. This video was a prefect example of someone just flat out lying about the condition. These young kids just don't have the skill set you have to get it running. People are just sad.... I guess the lesson to learn here for everyone is "BUYER BEWARE".... Again great content and keep up the good work. It's fun to watch....

[@jrhaines30]

Loving the sled content, excellent!

[@kevinmadson7025]

This bring me back my 1st sled was a 1977 arctic cat lynx and i payed 150 as well best miss that one best part is that im 27 lol thanks for bring back some good memories.

[@johnhicks735]

You can use A snapper riding lawn mower twist down relief valve gas cap on that snowmobile gasoline tank if you didn't know that. Unless it's the sealed one totally. Witch it would still work on it.& After riding it around you can release the pressure off of the fuel lines by opening that twist relief valve on top of those style of gasoline fuel caps. Much simpler to use on those types of snowmobiles I think anyways myself. Cause I'm sure it has A fuel gauge inside of the fuel tank to.

[@slagdemon]

Might have already been said ,but the slots are there so you don't have to take the flywheel off so you can clean the points and set timing. No reason to remove it unless you are replacing the points or condenser.

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Nice 👌 brother great deal 👍

[@shadymaint1]

I had a old Arctic Cat similar to that when I was younger back in the early 90s. Thing was a tank. Was riding with some friends on a warmer day and the fan belt broke. Did not know it at the time and severely overheated the engine. Was not worth replacing the engine so it was traded off as part of a deal for a Yamaha Phaser II. Ended up sticking that one in the trees and dislocated my shoulder. Fun times.

[@Aciecarter238]

Your so lucky with everything u buy. Most of everything I buy has no compression needs a total rebuild lol.

[@traveltrailertipster259]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I repaired a lot of those old cats when I was around your age. Late 70's early 80's. Learned a lot of good tips too. used to have a ton of left over NOS parts for them. But got rid of most of them. Should have checked timing when it was that far apart. they run like a watch when you get those things firing 180 degrees apart. cool vids. keep em coming.

[@anthonynixon3220]

That sucks that it was stuck like that... Awesome to see a rebuild 🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿

[@malcolmcook4690]

Been waiting all day for your new video joe 😂 love it mate

[@malcolmcook4690]

You have learned so much over the last two years and log every build you strip unbelievable mate congratulations you have cracked it and I’ll give you a thumbs up every video 👍

[@peteraitken6494]

Cool machine and buy joe knew you would get it going a few parts and it will be perfect great work man take care 🔧🔧🔧👍👌

[@benm8257]

When I was young my dad brought one home exactly like that except it was for kids and called a kitty cat rather than the panther. It was so fun but nowadays we dont get enough snow to even justify owning a snowmobile

[@jeffreydohl6036]

This is cool. He does a great job on anything. I wish I could find stuff like this. I used to ride a sled just like this. I want one but, no one has these old relics and if they do, they won't sell them. Jeff

[@kerrjason8537]

Anytime you have hard fuel lines use a heat gun to warm up the lines. Always keep spare boots +++ And never fill cylinders with flammable spray and leave spark plug over hole big fire lol...

[@erikwright9546]

At least u and jade can go out for a winter rip together. Time to get her to have fun in the snow. Hello from 🇨🇦 hope u guys have a good Christmas

[@rogergrant62]

That was impressive. That thing fought you the whole way. Loving the snowmobile content.

[@stephencrisson3595]

Damn that sled sat for 30 years that's crazy hell yeah man!!!!

[@airadaimagery692]

I’m wondering if you know what “Kroil” is? Are you familiar with it, have you ever used it? My dad introduced me to it, he used it in the oil field. It is a penetrating oil that actually penetrates. I know that sounds dumb, but the truth is, it works better than any other product on the market, test proven... We joke, and say that the manufacturer should had named “crawl” instead of kroil, because it actually finds its way through ANYWHERE that there was once a space, or friction. Lots of people think PB Blaster, and some others are the best penetrating oil, it is not. I’ve removed frozen spark plugs, and freed up stuck rings with kroil when no other oil could. Look for it if you never used it, it’s in an orange can. It’s expensive, but you only use it when you think you really need it. Keep your other choice around for everyday use.

[@shartne]

they sell plastic gas tanks for mini bikes and four wheelers on Amazon for 9 dollars. Vinegar frees up locked rings in cylinders over night. It eats the rust.

[@jafar4502]

This man’s hands are magical dude gets everything running A1

[@CraaaigV302]

Dam you have a beautiful house dude very nice! Awesome seeing how far you have come hard work pays off!

[@400brian]

I would argue that 50 year old snowmobiles typically require a lot of work to get them in shape to run. They are past the toggle up and run them stage. The crank seals need to be replaced ASAP. At least he understands how mags work, most young guys have no clue. Walbro carbs are a mystery to most. You have a feed line and a return, they have an internal pump. I have never seen a Walbro with that type of filter, that is more of a Tillotson feature. The other carb doesn't have a filter screwed on it because it is not supposed to. You use an in-line filter.

[@James-sir]

Right on I like the snowmobiles

[@ianelliott425]

That is a 72 Panther with a 340 Kawasaki engine and Walbro carb. Ditch the carb for a Tillitson model HD. Will run much better. The Kawasaki's were good engines. The cylinders are electrofusion. No honing or boring. You should be able to pull the plug directly off the motor which cuts everything and there should be spark.

[@simonbeukema4156]

I just got a 1974 for $20 from a friend, needs a seat, killswitch, tank and brake cable but I just got it running with a moto ski 440 in it. I broke my wrist so I won’t be able to start it for awhile though. I somehow got my brother to drive me down without him knowing that I was going to put it in the back of our mini van. I’m still surprised I got it to fit

[@donaldblakley6796]

Good job man:) that filter you can still definitely buy. I'm not sure where In the US, but in Canada.. Canadian tire still sells them and any vintage sled shop. Carb looks like a Tillotson hr or hd

[@jeremychippett905]

Wooooow. Man when u lifted the hood on that thing I was amazed at the condition. That sled Is in pretty decent shape.

[@carlalan1880]

learning stuff together im learning so much from your videos about tracing faults thank you

[@Rotttman]

Enjoying the vintage sled buys and repairs

[@Snack592]

Me when he said it was last registered in 94 " Well if it was registered in 94 its not been sitting for 30 years !! wait.... 94 was in fact almost 30 years ago"

[@2vintage]

Yeah i thought the same thing at first!

[@BEEZ-R]

Sad huh. Time waits for no one

[@Snack592]

@@BEEZ-R gotta make the most of it !

[@MintMonte87ACSS312]

94 is my birth year please shut up 😂😂😂

[@staind288]

Wees be gettin' old!

[@410mercury6]

That's very cool, nice work! If it hasn't been mentioned, just to let you know, the fuel line going to the filter, is fuel being pulled from the gas tank. The other line, returns fuel to the gas tank that it does not use. So the pickup line needs to go all the way to the bottom of the tank. The tank is not pressurized. Hope that helps.

[@edpriebe2154]

Young man you're doing a great job you make really good videos I enjoy watching them

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

Another thing that's interesting is the number written in front of each spark plug. That's the compression number when whoever checked it before. I had a feeling at the end of the video the numbers would be close to those. We use to do the same thing.

[@imatopgun]

First, I just want to say I have watched all your videos. I would watch if you posted every day multiple times a day. Keep up the good work, I have learned a lot. Anyway, did someone do a compression test prior to you buying the sled? I can clearly see what looks like the compression numbers written next to the spark plugs while you did the compression test. Maybe those numbers are something different but they are the same numbers you got on the test. Anyway, I look forward to more videos. Love all your stuff.

[@MadManMcGirt]

Very fun to watch. I have noticed (this is the second vid of yours i have now seen) that you go to the points only at the end if you get no spark. That is almost always the cause BTW the cooling fan on the engine is not turning.

[@mister4053]

Long video!! I like it 😁 it's crazy to see your tiny tool collection and you still do sooooo much! That's awesome. Would be cool to see you step your tool game up also! Get some stuff to make your work earlier on you. I see a new black tool bench in the back though 👀 might need a tool and shop tour update!

[@hartstudebakerkid]

No the gas tank is not pressurized.. One line is fuel return. You need to hang a machine like this so that the track is free just incase the clutch engages. This engine is a piston port you may have tore out what was left of the bottom end by not using premix in the bottle to start it. I would spray a good penetrating oil in the vaccume port of the engine. It still could loose the seals in the bottom end. If you are going to keep picking up old sleds you need to pick up a repair manual called Snowmobile Service Manual by INTERTEC publishing. Mine is the 11th edition. That carb is going to need to be kitted at a minimum. Back when these sleds were newer it was common to keep a second rebuilt carb on the sled when riding for in case something happened. I have all my old sleds converted to a single Mikuni carb and use an aftermarket fuel pump. What you do depends on what parts you can get. That fuel tank is shot If it was me I would weld up a steel tank to fit in the factory position. One nice thing for you is that Kawasaki where my Panthers have a Sachs and JLO. Thanks to the internet folks that like these old machines have an easier go at keeping them running because of so many vintage sled clubs.

[@jesse.jsmall0652]

Love the snowmobile content thank you

[@cleetussnow7159]

This is snowmobiling as I knew it for most of my life. The part where you leave the garage and ride was a bonus.

[@CRJames-s5y]

Amazing video. Those are some really cool sleds. I hope I can get my hands on one and fix it up

[@michaelbarbera4923]

I’ve got a bunch of engine parts for that sled. Including a complete engine less pistons and rings. Let me know if you need anything. Mike

[@matthewferraro4329]

Looking forward to seeing this ride.

[@thebrothers4311]

I have the matching Artic Cat Kitty Cat for that!!! I wish I lived closer to pick this up from you...

[@robcanthandlestupidy9249]

His patience and troubleshooting procedure is on point

[@chasleask8533]

Always a pleasure to see one of your vids posted . Great work on this one . Engine sounded very nice .