And then the clutch grenaded....Engine Swap?

V

Vailguy

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Feb 17, 2006
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Up at Vail Pass (Colorado this weekend).
And right out of the parking lot bam, the clutch grenaded. Sled wasn't even warm yet.

2 questions.

1. Is there anyway this could have been rider induced? I.e. my boss was riding at the time (touchy subject). Could he have had the, gulp, parking brake on?
Or maybe the clutch got dirty in transit?

2. How long? Avg, does it take to do a engine swap. We have a parts sled, with a good engine, that needs to go into a low mileage sled with a blown block. Should we wait for spring or are we talking a day?

Thanks in advance
-l-
 
It put shapnel threw the fiberglass quarter panel and punctured the aluminum shroud. The blown block is from another sled that overheated. Completely unrelated. However, now that we have 2 sleds in various states of misery and 1 runner. I am more inclined to have 2 solid sleds and a parts sled.
-l-
 
Random thoughts by,
Tod

I do not think the parking brake being on would cause the clutch to come apart. It would mess up the belt and glaze the clutch but not make the clutch blow.

Is there allot of miles on this clutch?? could your clutching be off and you have over heated the clutch continually but not reallized it.
 
Don't know?
I just purchased the sled and only had 3 hours on it a week prior. The following week (yesterday) it didn't make it 50 yards. Overheating...doubt it. Road gunk...could be, sled wasn't covered and it was very dirty that day. Heat/thaw/crack...possibility. Bought from redneck mechanics that knew they had to dump a parts sled...most likely :).
 
swapping a motor will take time, you can do it in a weekend if you know what you're doing, but if it's your first time count on some extra time, you'll also want to have a clutch alignment tool.

strikes me as alot easier to swap clutches and the guard and quarter panel, are they different colours?
 
Agreed, swapping clutches would be quicker.

However,
The sled that grenaded has some issues.
1. the front end has frame damage, and was repaired using some cleverly welded angle iron.

2. The steering is darting and squirly at high speeds. Probably from worn bushings and shock, or unwedge modded stock skis, or the frame damage.

3. Gauges don't work, and the seat is torn. Seat is a quick fix, but gauges?

On the other hand. The new sled (blown block)
1. Only has 1800 miles, no damage with the exception of the block, and looks mint.
2. Would have to swap the track with the other sled (2" paddles).

I am willing to spend a weekend to work on, and have the full factory repair manual.
However, I am not familiar with the clutch alignment tool. Where do I buy, rent, or can I have it aligned?

-l-
 
i bought mine at maximum performace. most sled aftermarket place have them for slae if they sell clutch parts.
 
The only way to fit 2" paddles under a '95 vmax is some skid or heat-exchanger mods or track trimming or some combination of the above.

I'm not completely clear on which of your sleds has which problems, but I would carefully inspect the cooling system and clearances on the sled with the 2" paddles to be sure that you don't have issues there.

You won't be able to just slip a 2" track onto a stock '95 and go. It won't clear the exchangers.
 
2. How long? Avg, does it take to do a engine swap. We have a parts sled, with a good engine, that needs to go into a low mileage sled with a blown block. Should we wait for spring or are we talking a day?

-l-[/QUOTE]

If u can pull a wrench u should be able to change out that engine in a day easy and as suggested u will need a clutch alignment tool.
 
Thanks for your help.
The seller said 2" track, I will get my ruler to confirm. Maybe it is a 1.5" and the other is 1".
I will call locally for an alignment tool, if I can't find one, Max perf seems the way to go.
I will keep you posted on the outcome.
-l-
 
Yes! Pulled the engine last night. Only about two hours. Most of it was cleaning up antifreeze :p

I haven't removed the clutch from the old block yet. Aside from a alignment tool to reinstall. What do I need to remove the clutch. The service manual is a little vague. Harmonic puller perhaps?
-l-
 
Blowing those clutches isn't fun. Lucky i still have the right side of my buddy after losing one at 9,200 revs. Didn't make the sled look too nice after that.
 
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