Tuning a 1970 Arctic Cat Panther Snowmobile

1971 Arctic Cat Panther snowmobile with a bad bog. Rick takes a look at the carburetor and makes some adjustments to get it running like a top. This cat has the 440 JLO motor and Tillotson carburetor. Vintage sleds are making a serious comeback so we thought why not do a couple videos on vintage snowmobiles.
If you're new to our channel, we post videos about snowmobile tuning. Lots of tips and tricks for maintaining and modifying your sled and sled trailer. Mostly just DIY sled stuff for people who like to get their hands dirty or tinker in their garage.
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DISCLAIMER: We don't recommend trying anything you see on this channel without contacting your manufacturer or certified sled technician.

[@rfalcone]

We had a ‘71 Panther and Puma, both with the 340 JLO. Loved them. There was something unique sounding on those JLO engines with the axial flow fans.

[@vernonshaverjr5269]

Believe it or not the washer on the pulley of the fan belt is what gives it the sound your hearing...I have the 71 axial flo..and the mechanic with that information was a brother to infamous Jerry Friermood arctic cat dealer and race driver..

[@michaelhartman851]

When we first started snowmobiling me and my dad couldn't afford any modern sleds but still wanted something cool, we happened to find some old Kawasaki dealers that had parts and picked up old beat sleds and fixed em up ourselves, the scary thing was they were so fast that the lack of good suspension would really get you into trouble some times.

[@arcticcatkickass]

That shop is awesome. All vintage thats the way to go!

[@Woodsrider9338]

Love the vintage sleds, the smell, sound and look reminds me of a more simple time.

[@acdatz6222]

Nice video. I have a 71 Puma with the 440 JLO. Put a Comet Duster on that panther and you'll be surprised.

[@wtfbuddy1]

Great video Rick - those 2 machines are well restored, brings back memories. Cheers

[@awbernardy]

The old Wankle 303s and 606s were a cool sounding motor in the old school sleds...

[@jeremymartin1566]

Nice video on panthers... classic snowmobiles - cheers 🍻 - Jeremy M

[@windowcreek1798]

What a great video. I just love these old cats. Sooooooo comfortable. I hope you keep it forever. Cheers.

[@perotekku]

Looks exactly like where my in-laws live in Winnipeg, only giveaway that it was somewhere else were the yield signs and green street signs (besides the AB plates) Nothing says Canada more than sleds ripping around a major city suburb haha

[@jonholland581]

love your vids man. I'm only 30 but I grew up riding many of these old cats. Learned on my great grandmother's 1969 panther. Keep'em coming!

[@G.Bear89]

Pleased to see a pair of real men tuning their sled the proper way... with the garage door shut. Love me that smell of winter! Cheers fellas.

[@projectstruggle7594]

Haha love to see the vintage sleds!

[@kevinhughes4748]

A couple of clean machines you got there! Braaap!!!

[@Mogachaffe]

Both are fuel circuits on those carbs. Lean is in Fat is out. It’s real fun tuning a 340 with dual tillys

[@dsimila1]

If that carb is what it looks like (tillotson?) there's no air screws, just one fuel screw for idle/part throttle and one fuel screw for open throttle. Nice sled.

[@charlesmyers2762]

My nephew had a 71 Panther 440 with a Kawi, it was fast as hell! My 71 399 Panther with a Kohler didn't stand a chance.

[@pitbulloffhisleash]

my video of you guys. had to subscribe for the nice garage alone lol

[@user-vh7bv4er3f]

First sled 70 panther 295 Kohler and a 303 wankle

[@quincee3376]

Man Cat's had so many engine suppliers. Kawasaki, Suzuki, Hirth, Sachs, JLO .. i believe a few models had Kohler's.

[@quincee3376]

Nice!!

[@CraigArndt]

6:28 says it all.

[@joeyderyaw4708]

My Dad had a 69 he got brand new and it came with the 292 sachs motor.

[@canadaeast8358]

I had a 340 when I was a teen not sure the year but it had a Kawasaki engine in it. Probably should have watched the whole video before commenting lol

[@richardluce775]

Unfortunately Salisbury clutch parts are long gone. You could try and get a servacible hex drive and tune that although oem ramps are probably nla.

[@ryanchenier-poulin8570]

Been chasing a rich carb vs lean. I thunkninneed new carbs vm 34s 98

[@andrewgasch9504]

You can get springs from ArcticRestoration.com. Great company to deal with! Good to see you on the old stuff too!

[@DIGIT9]

Amazing, thanks Andrew!

[@andrewgasch9504]

Keep up the great videos! Glad to help. Im a vintage guy, and your videos help me with my newer sled lol

[@DIGIT9]

@@andrewgasch9504 Age is not a barrier at Digit9! If it slides on snow, we like it...LOL. Thanks for watching the channel and we'll certainly throw in some vintage now and then.🤙

[@ANTI-GRN]

Nice one can you please put a New Power engine in These Kind of old school snowmobile ? Greetings from germany

[@DIGIT9]

Anything can be done , finding the time is the tough part !

[@xcgavin5658]

So whens old artic cat mod sled?

[@beyondupnorth]

What is a belt guard? lol

[@joellindstrand3648]

hmmm looks like st albert

[@daleclarke2849]

Those Kawasaki were junk with the chrome cylinders. Faster but ticking time bombs!!

[@mitchcoop1]

Back in the day ...The adjustable Main/Hi speed screw was the Death of many sleds..Why? The ignorant owners would mess with them and burn up the motors.

[@MCCORMICK10202236]

Needs a high speed check valve

[@calebduckers7339]

Makes me cringe when he's holding the back up like that while you Rev it. My uncle lost his shins doing that, when the track came off. Be careful!

[@zakksrage]

These old sleds looked so ridiculous lol. Little tugboats