Can It Be Saved? Chrysler Snow Runner.

I picked this 70s chrysler snow runner snow cycle up during the summer at a motorcycle show called rice o rama, its been sitting for over 40 years and it shows, lets get it up on the bench and see how it was built and if we can bring it back to life.

[@HighRidgeHandyman]

25 plus years ago my best friends neighbor had 6 in his basement still in wooden crates. He use to sell them at one point. We all bought them for $300 a piece back then. Brand spanking new. We all had the best times of our lives. We took them out on the golf courses. I even cut a slit in the back cover so the snow would shoot up in the back. Great memories!! Another great video bro thank you mustie. Have a good weekend!

[@bruceaugustine6486]

WOW now they are selling for $3300-$5200 in 2023.

[@josephsteffen2378]

I'm jealous. I can imagine a swarm of kids ripping around on those things. Too cool.

[@MrButtonpresser]

On a golf course? Those darn kids! 😂

[@josephsteffen2378]

@@MrButtonpresser on a golf course, hah. That's sacrilege! ...my buddies violated a golf course... One alcohol fueled night, In a Chevrolet 4wd, they trespassed . Kicking a green and brown rooster tail...they tore up a few of the greens. FATE. During the event, one of the characters was tossed from the bed of the truck. Broke his collar bone. Somehow, the Sherriff figured it out... in less than 45 minutes. They cuffed them....BUSTED! That cost them $21,000.00 .

[@stevenlatham4397]

I think that is one of the rarest and most unique contraptions you’ve ever had on the channel.

[@WinterInTheForest]

It's pretty weird. I've never seen one before

[@1nvisible1]

*I've seen three and thats the cleanest one. One had the front ski changed to a shorter wider version.*

[@kenthetalkingpen2518]

​@1nvisible1 makes sense to me LOL

[@jsimm4587]

I’ve never seen one ever !

[@Rorschach1024]

About 28000 were made between 1979 and 1982.

[@AkatarawaJapan]

I was riding our one of these today. They are great fun so long as it’s not too steep or deep. We have had to make replacement track paddles out of plastic angle bar, and we fitted a carb from a scrub cutter. Feet on pegs, knees together-Rally girls, rally!

[@markbrown6236]

The sheer variety of equipment you work on is unmatched. Making a new spring for the starter was fun to watch. Can't believe you found a belt for this machine.

[@foxlinks6656]

You are the definition of perseverance. Great to see someone who doesn't throw old parts away. My neighbors all laugh at me, but all come to me for parts 😆

[@fetus2280]

Thats always how it goes mate . Same here ... and when their computers go down im the first they call lol We horde Useful things that get used......eventually . Cheers.

[@pcuser80]

Coffee + a snack + a Mustie1 video with a rare item = a great Sunday period.

[@AdamVest]

That's exactly what I'm doing! Channels like Mustie1 are why I no longer own a TV 😂

[@frank-t6857]

@@AdamVest Well you can watch KZbin on a smart-tv. Better sound and image for sure.

[@kevinhaley6776]

​@@AdamVest thought that was west. Was gonna say is that you bat man

[@AdamVest]

@@kevinhaley6776 I've never heard that comment before 😂

[@tin2001]

@@frank-t6857 Or get a USB/Lightning (depending on if youre an Android or apple person) to HDMI cable and just plug your phone into the TV... That way you're not going to have to throw the whole TV away when the software gets too old.

[@High_Caliber]

If I recall the tread had to be plastic or rubber so that it didn't tear your legs off when you dumped it. You can tell the guys in the feed who grew up in snow. Honestly, if you didn't have snow to play in as a kid, you really missed out. Some of the greatest memories.

[@MostlyInteresting]

Chrysler Power Bee. Came from the West Bend acquisition. Those motors found their way into everything including Chrysler outboards. Lots of industrial tools too. All the parts are still available, including whole engines.

[@frank-t6857]

That is incredible for sure

[@Hjerte_Verke]

Wow, that is good information and I've seen similar engines like that on go karts and minibikes. GREAT that such an old engine is still supported.

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@Hjerte_Verke I know a guy that highly modified these things back in the day to run them in carts. Amount of power of these little guys will make after being massaged is shocking.

[@timw2407]

one of the best kart engines, 4 reed matched to a Hl 244 from my view

[@greenmtnman7714]

It's the same engine that is on my 1968 Rokon Trailbreaker.

[@EVCarGuy]

One of the best things about my week is looking forward to a new Mustie1 video on Sunday mornings!

[@ericwosinski9430]

Pull start springs are such a joy to work with. Definitely didn't have flashbacks to my snowmobiles I had to bend new tabs and rewrap out on the trails alone.

[@tin2001]

They're also very exciting if you're not holding the right parts when opening one up that's still sprung... I had bits (including small tools) spread across the entire garage floor when I needed to unjam a rope that slipped off the pulley. I was holding it back from rotating, but didn't factor in vertical movement exists too 🤣

[@damole7874]

I've wanted one of these for YEARS! Ever since I saw one on a random search online. After seeing the prices of after market and oem parts, it kinda...lead me in a different direction..haha

[@briandrew8684]

I had one in the 70s, we replaced the track with pieces with truck tire tread worked pretty good. Love your channel keep up the great work brother 👍

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

That sounds a lot hardier than the original plastic grips!

[@cliffyb5896]

Was yelling at Mustie to pull the clutch out of the drum first but he didn't hear me. Good thing he can still get parts. That is one unique ride. love the videos, keep them coming.

[@DRNewcomb]

I think the neighbors heard me yelling at my computer.

[@pinwizz69]

​@@DRNewcomb. Me with my phone and Roku feed. I can give him a double like that way.

[@mattfish5735]

Another rare unique item we have in common sir. Glad I was able to help out with my parts resource. Great job as always!

[@JoriDiculous]

Now that is a cool machine. Vaguely remember seeing some ages ago. Really great for snowfun where a snowmobile wood be to big :)

[@stevewojohowitz3229]

Among the many reasons Mustie1 is my favorite YT mechanic. His basic honesty, humility, patience and persistence plus the ability to laugh at his occasional mistakes and his style of making you feel like you are there somehow assisting the project.

[@bassassin2ohseven584]

When I was a kid in the early 80's, an older guy in the town I grew up in had one of these! I remember him riding it down the road and thinking I couldn't believe he had something like that! Super cool!

[@glennbalent5153]

Good morning to all who are watching!

[@GoKartsorGoneFishin]

I'm pretty sure that's the first time I have ever seen you make a mistake...don't even worry about...you have brought more treasures back to life than anyone else in the world

[@donaldhoot7741]

When we break something, I am always reminded of Inspector Clouseau. When he smashed the piano and the owner said, "That's a priceless Steinway!". The Inspector calmly answers, "Not any more! " Great video!

[@lear60man]

Never heard of one and was even more surprised to find new replacement parts online. Hope to see this up and going befor the snow melts

[@paint52]

If I remember correctly Chrysler had an affiliate West Bend and this possibly is the motor

[@Watthead80]

My cousin had one of these that I got to ride in the late 80s. It was actually really fun and handled the snow pretty well...from what I remembered. Would like to find one for myself some day.

[@rogerrabbit80]

Did a quick search just to check if parts and such were available. Turns out an aftermarket track runs $200 or so. Did find an auction site that showed past prices - complete Sno Runners have sold for $2000 to $4000. Not sure what condition they were in, though.

[@b4566bb]

I've said this before but what a great way to start my Sunday! Love you Musti and not in a weird and creepy kind of way but in a very fraternal kind of way! 🤣😆😜

[@Big_John_C]

I haven't seen one of those since I was a kid, my grandfather sold them at his lawn mower shop and I was a very willing test rider when they came in. Good memories

[@AstroJoeVino]

Cool contraption. Being born and raised in Houston Texas I have never seen one of these. Only snowed three or four times that I remember in 40 plus years. Thanks Mustie

[@tregiz]

I have been itching to get one of these for years! I am so excited about this series! Hoping to pick one up in the off season!

[@kathrynsciamanda9690]

I was lucky enough to grab two of these a while back, gave them to my oldest son who is your twin brother when it comes to 'figuring stuff out'. He got one running I know. They have a weekend snowmobile cabin up near Leavenworth WA, I believe the Snow Runners live there now. Son Dave said he wanted to use them to make the rounds to the neighbor cabins for Saturday evening parties. Sounds like a few bumps and scraps to me. Love your videos, Kathy

[@hoosiertrailrider]

Wow such an awesome piece. I remember seeing something similar in an old popular mechanics many years ago.

[@diydarkmatter]

always nice to see cool old stuff . even better to see it brought back from the dead .

[@Rayrayman111]

This showed the real struggle of what we as normal people without the shop and knowledge you do. Well done

[@anthonyblacker8471]

Moral of the story here today folks.. if you're taking something apart and there's 2 part to it, try the center part first. If you have a handful of needle bearings literally in your hand, you messed up. It's 100% ok Mustie, how many things have I disassembled that broke out of just not seeing how it comes apart (less now that I'm older and have more patience and wisdom) but yeah man it's no big deal. Bearings are replaceable. Great find on that weird thing, I hope you can come up with a chain w/snow bucket thrower things on it.. I really want to Google it to see if there's any crazy people selling those chains, but I'm going to wait to the end of the video. You're the best Mustie, don't let the breaking the clutch thing disappoint you bro, we all make mistakes!

[@wjustinmartin]

I was yelling at the phone - the shoulder was a give-a-way that brute force was not the answer at least it wasn’t a rotary motorcycle

[@TerryLawrence001]

A cool addition to your eclectic bike collection! I love seeing thesse unique machines that you don't see every day 🙂

[@muskokamike127]

57:25 good boy! I was thinking "hope he heats that up before trying to put a bend in it" and no sooner than I thought that and out comes the torch!

[@bigmotter001]

You are the winner of the National, International and Global "HITHDIDI" AWARD FOREVER! That's the "HOW IN THE HELL DID I DO THAT "award which also includes a PHD certificate in Patience Management! Wow I can't even imagine how to attempt wrapping an old spring from one engine to another! Thanks for posting Mustie and take care!

[@athomegrampy709]

Just like my Sunday morning coffee, Mustie is always here for me :)

[@edmcpeake9285]

darren your videos are soo freaking cool ..everyone of them ...gotta love the chysler sno runner 1970s /early 80s ....what a rig hahajah keep sharing ill keep watching

[@gutsngorrrr]

What a great bit of kit, looks like it would be great fun and what's amazing, it looks like you can still get lots of replacement parts for them.

[@IanScottJohnston]

It's the laughing I just love......kudos to you, it's a joy to watch you work on all this stuff.

[@rangercv4263]

Ian, I really enjoy your work as well.

[@taurota1554]

Awesome content as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@swany8393]

Good lord Mustie you find the coolest items! Absolutely a blast sitting here wrenching with you. Love your explanations and just the organic way you make your videos.

[@clifflewis-yq3lw]

Cool ride! Can hardly wait to see the next installment of this one. You never cease to amaze me! Thanks, Musti

[@josephperry6822]

That endearing laugh when you get a dead engine to fire and pur is priceless!!

[@richardlind221]

I really enjoy watching your videos because you have such a variety of stuff that you work on. I’ve learned a lot without having to deal with this stuff myself. Thank you.

[@blake4.017]

That snowmobile is awesome never seen anything like it 👍🏼👍🏼

[@donnie2533]

Great video. I'm glad you posted keep them coming thanks

[@BAMFSpYdy]

I can't wait to see this running on snow. Back in 1986 I had made plans to make a bicycle like this. But I was going to use an actual rubber track like a snowmobile. I never knew this thing existed.

[@SWEET-2381]

That thing is definitely unique thank you for showing me some new things I appreciate your show. You're an awesome dude Darren I love you

[@swallowinn4410]

Great little machine. I was chuckling at the screen when I saw you with the recoil spring. I thought it maybe was backwards.I have done thar many times myself. Glad to see replacement parts seem to be available. The plastic parts are great candidates for 3D Printing if availability becomes a problem. Once again Mustie delivers on the unusual. Keep up the great videos.

[@phillipdickinson8557]

Mustie you did it again loved it and if any can it is you thank you for sharing and your time can't wait for next one thank you

[@billmckenna7056]

Great video Mustie, always a treat to see what junk you are saving! Shocked you can find parts for it.

[@jeeaaenlourens1434]

Love these unusual pieces of machinery. Sounds really good though, was easy to bring back to life. Hopefully the rest will be assembled smoothly too so we can see it in action one day. Great stuff and video as always.

[@fjr2go]

Always a joy to see you tinker with this old stuff ;)

[@andrewrobinson2869]

Really enjoyed this looking forward to part 2. Thank you .

[@TheMrShinagami]

Great video Mustie and a gtray find. I was amazed how many parts are still available on their website!

[@perlidberg7351]

Today you have a really interesting project, I like the little engines. But when the spring was in the wrong direction, I wanted to jump into the river... I look forward to the continuation of this project, I have never seen such a "snowmobile" where I live in Sweden. Very well done!

[@kevins4229]

This thing is COOL! Really looking forward to part 2!

[@thebrokenbiker869]

You find some of the most crazy ideas from the 70's. Good on u for getting it running.

[@jesterr7133]

Good find, Mustie. Thanks for sharing this one. I have never seen a machine like that before. I didn't even know they existed.

[@ManxAndy]

Good afternoon Mustie…..that’s a neat machine……look forward to seeing if it can be put back to working order……👍🇮🇲💪

[@henryzabel1746]

A friend of mine went to a warehouse to buy a car stereo and speakers in the 80s . He saw these stacked up and bought two , I think he paid $175 each . Have been trying to get him to sell me one for years . I knew the battle was lost when his grandkids got old enough to ride .

[@briank1671]

I started yelling at the TV when I see you put the puller on the clutch, lol

[@renem6441]

That is one funky machine! Thanks for sharing

[@lag0matic]

I used to have one of these! Great fun, we had a kit for ours that gave the engine a bit more guts. If I remember right the advertising for the machine suggested it could fit in the trunk of your car when folded up!

[@samuraidriver4x4]

I love to work on pull starts, you get proficient at winding up the spring if you do atleast 1 a week😁 I start with the outside and then just work it back in.

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Thanks Mustie1, we certainly have not seen such a beast. You've inspired us to go back out into the fray and resume the fight. Central California watching.

[@JustanOlGuy]

I dont recall having seen one of these up close, thanks fer sharing.

[@lloydg4942]

That thing is too COOL! I hope you can get it to a ridable condition again. That would be fun to watch...maybe a few mods along the way would be in order ;)

[@pinwizz69]

Only our intrepid Darren Mustie1 could come up with this extremely unique contraption. Can't wait to see him get it running ready for the snow if they still have some on the ground where he lives. He'll be test driving it chorttling like a Mad sciencetist.

[@bumboclat]

Amazing little machine. Can't wait to see you ride it.

[@thomaswermager1819]

That’s pretty neat! Look forward to seeing the finished product!

[@magovenor]

For me it doesn’t matter what number I am, as soon as I get the notification that the video is available I click it. I’m here for Mustie1’s trouble shooting, diagnosing, and eventual corrective repairs if possible.

[@realfreshfood4575]

Good Morning, Mustie-ites!!!

[@joeanonemouse]

Cool snow machine. Thanks for another great video Darren. 👍

[@neilkennykenny4113]

That's a mental looking thing it screams the 70s, iv never seen anything like it. Thanks for another fantastic video, much appreciated from Ireland.

[@GarthGoldberg]

The 1960's: back when kids could actually have fun.

[@midnightrunner684]

These days you dont even see kids playing out in their yards

[@pinwizz69]

Lots of parts available online and there's a collectors group as well. They were made under the Chysler name. How cool would it be if someone started making them again. I see a possible bicycle conversion build version of this in Darren's future. Hoe cool would that be using a Schwin banana bike.

[@steveperyer4850]

😊p

[@Roger-hq1yt]

Excellent, nice repairs as always.

[@useitwice]

This little thing is seriously cool! Great find, D!

[@philwilberg6004]

I don’t remember seeing anything like that when I was a kid. That’s crazy

[@blademan175]

My friend has 2 of those in great condition! Mustie if your reading this, seafoam deepcreep would be a great addition to your shop! Thanks for the vids!

[@joshjablonicky171]

Mustie1 is always finding the coolest stuff ever!!!been watching him since the beginning and was hooked right away. So naturally talented.

[@daviddamico4288]

Nice work Darren,I can’t wait to see how it all turns out…..

[@gutshotgriz3936]

“Missed it by ‘that’ much”. Made me smile knowing the younger crowd hasn’t a clue…and that’s OK. Also, Darren has got to be a candidate for sainthood…if ever there was an opportune moment for a heartfelt “F@&k”, discovering the pull start was wound backwards was it. No worries…I said it for him!

[@vhfgamer]

I'm 29 and I own the entire Get Smart series on DVD.

[@gutshotgriz3936]

Clearly you have good taste!! 😎

[@vhfgamer]

@@gutshotgriz3936 Good comedy is timeless.

[@davidsnyder2000]

First time ever seeing a snow machine like this….only seen snowmobiles. I imagine these were designed for kids for some winter time fun👍 How fast did these things go I wonder? Didn’t see a speedometer at the handlebar area. Looks like a lot of fun. Having one of these as a kid would’ve been a blast😄 Freedom to travel great distances and go on adventures 😊👍

[@luuk-out-below9804]

They sold for about $700 in late 70's, had a 130'sh cc engine, I think the top speed was around 25mph on perfect hard packed powder.

[@icantry2386]

I think it’s time for an updated shop tour! I’d love to see the extent of your hoard! Love these videos!

[@Orbacron]

An interesting piece for sure, thank you for sharing

[@robinbrowne5419]

What a weird and wonderful snowmobile. It's like something from Whoville. I hope Mustie can fix it, and we get to see him riding around shooting rooster-tails all over the place.

[@randyloomis2313]

It would be interesting to try to make it a duo track in the back for stability. Always sucks to break an arm, lol. Love watching your videos

[@terryjackson2998]

Another great video! I sincerely enjoyed it!

[@Dragineez774]

Love watching these. Makes me feel better than I'm not the only one that makes silly mistakes. And I love how, when the engine revs, the spark plug wrench rotates.

[@jonasbjork6593]

About the drive pieces on the Cballoons. I suggest you find the best one and try this: 1. Use filler and sand it as good as possible. 2. Cast a mold of it. 3. Cast new parts in the mold using rubber you mix yourself filled with glass balloons.

[@Gassit]

Or get them 3D printed

[@jonasbjork6593]

@@Gassit That is also a possibility, use rubbery material. Need to scan them though, don't you?

[@killerdeamonking]

Would have to use a tough rubber material like whats used on skateboard wheels.

[@firesurfer]

I'm not sure that's even necessary. A diy approximation may be ok. Finding the right raw material may be more important. Simple rubber blocks riveted to the plates are really all that's necessary. It just needs to run in the space available to it. Some guy made tracks out of steel angle. (sounds evil and dangerous)

[@billbeyer657]

Or just order a brand new chain and paddles from the internet 🤷‍♂

[@reubenpearson]

Pull starts are my least favorite thing to work on. This is truly a nightmare for me 🙀

[@TerryLawrence001]

Conveyor chain will work well. they are made specifically with lugs to attach the cleats to. Before all the cleats get destroyed, I would make a silicone mould from them and recast them in Fibreglass and resin

[@thomasadrian9854]

Those track cleats must have a bit of give like a rubber product- fiberglass would snap rather quickly

[@rustybum2]

Hey Mustie lad, you keep coming up with the most interesting stuff, which probably most people will never come across, but that doesn't matter because your channel is so addictive! Thanks for sharing and best regards from Ireland.

[@muskokamike127]

12:38 what would be ideal is if you could find an extruded steel profile similar to that shape and then cut off and weld on appropriately sized pieces. TBH a T would probably work just as well as a scoop. There are LOTS of readily available steel T mouldings

[@thomasadrian9854]

I was thinking of the old Arctic Cat tracks that had the steel cleats- but another comment mentioned using plastic so it won’t eat your leg if you dump it....

[@muskokamike127]

@@thomasadrian9854 didn't they have a steel U shaped cleat?

[@thomasadrian9854]

Yes- but in this case I wonder if steel would cause wear problems?

[@muskokamike127]

@@thomasadrian9854 on what? it's not making any contact with anything other than the ground. The only reason I can see them using plastic is cheap, plus "breakaway" meaning the plastic will break off instead of breaking the chain. Steel would transfer the energy to the chain.

[@Bill-xc8le]

$195.00 for a new track with upgraded paddles

[@davidfist7801]

That thing is so cool! I've never seen anything like it before. I can't wait to see you try it out on snow!

[@philipwilson4025]

Love this one can’t wait to see you on it and having fun 🤩

[@mikec7903]

There are three of these on the marketplace in Ontario Canada asking $3200 each.

[@merlesgarage]

Are any actually selling for that kind of price?