1953 Tucker Sno Cat 443 Mt Washington WMTW Channel 8 Restoration

[Track Addict]

Moved the cat into position. Boys did a great job vacuuming it all out.Next steps are to remove everything that doesn't belong on the cat and assess.

I put it on some car dollys so we can move it around as needed.

Motor hasn't run in a few years so will get it fired back up.

As much abuse as this cat has seen it is amazing the tie rods and still straight.

Curious heater and it looks like the front would have had a bench seat.

Love the advertisement if

 

[LakeTucker]

Use ski trailer... I wonder where ya can find one of those with new skiis?

 

[TooManyIrons]

Looking forward to following your progress on this project.

 

[VanTucker]

Hey i'm 18 years old and just recently stumbled upon a 53-443 couldn't pass this opportunity, I noticed you recently bought new fiberglass pontoons and new tracks as well. Did you purchase from tucker?if not please let me know a neighbor hit one of the rear pontoons and bent the grousers and sheered links, can't wait to get her going!Thanks in advance for the time and info,
Van

 

[230 Pilot]

Welcome aboard Van. Your machine looks awesome. You’ll find a wealth of knowledge and some amazing people on here.

 

[VanTucker]

Thank you sir! Glad to be a part of history and love the knowledge!

 

[Track Addict]

Hi Van congrats and welcome. I wouldn't call any of my parts new. Most of working on these old tuckers requires fixing, repairing, making the needed parts or buying donor cats to support. As time goes on the parts become more and more scarce.

Start a thread of your project and some pics of what you are working with. You will get plenty of feedback and support and experience on here.

 

[Track Addict]

Some more history for this project and a good read: https://www.outdoors.org/articles/a...d-a-smile-the-legend-of-marty-on-the-mountain

 

[Track Addict]

Put some time in today. Used some plasma infusion to remove the frame added on in life while careful not to damage the underlying frame. Machine is pretty solid but It will need some patching and filling.

Lost the step added as well.

In the process of trying to get it started. Cranks over. No spark. Will investigate further tomorrow.

Not sure the direction I want to go with the mock up. Thinking of getting the 4 pontoons and sprockets I'm going to use mounted and fit then disassembly for restoration. Not sure if I need to swap the axle housings yet. Pumpkins are smashed in and unsure on tubes being bent.

Looking for 3 outer pontoon bearings and caps to make that happen if anybody wants to sell some parts for the cause.

One step closer to the sno!

 

[Track Addict]

Condenser was the problem. Swapped in one from the slant fired right up and idles good. Added some ATF to the tank and the steering works.

Oil pressure gauge works the others seem to be unhooked.

Runs good up to 1/3 throttle then stumbles backfires and shoots sparks.

Any idea what that's from?

 

[PJL]

I can't get the video to play. Can hear sound, no picture. Anyway how did the inside of the distributor cap look? Any sign of arcing from one plug to another? How does the rotor look?

 

[Track Addict]

I put a better video on YouTube. Sounds ignition timing related like a bad condenser or bad points.

 

[PJL]

kinda sounds starved for fuel to me.

 

[Track Addict]

Compression is awesome across all 6 cylinders so we can rule out stuck valves.

Have another holly carb that came on it that's also rebuilt. I'm leaning toward ignition but could be fuel.

I put this carb on because thats what should have been on it. Also rebuild Chrysler Carter BBS I believe

 

[PJL]

What did the points look like? Were they pitted and burned? Bad condensor usually results in pitted points.

 

[GMoose]

Long shot, but my Ford 254 flathead was acting somewhat similar, turned out to be the fuel pump, ran fine at low RPM but once it sped up the pump was not pumping enough fuel. My pump was still pumping, but not enough. Cleaned carb, made sure all lines were clear, installed new fuel pump, problem solved. Something to consider or look into anyway. Good luck!

 

[sledhead Ed]

Also if it has a fuel filter check that it's not full off crap from gas tank.

 

[Track Addict]

It's running on a sterile aux marine tank. All new parts. Going to check a few things later today and circle back.

 

[TooManyIrons]

I am thinking that while the valves are not stuck, some of them may be a little stiff and and closing fast enough at higher RPMs.
Did you pour something like Marvel Mystery Oil or the concoction of your choice in the plug holes and let it soak for a bit prior to startup?

 

[Track Addict]

Wish I had my time machine up and running to get the hours and frustration back but I learned a lot along the way so we can apply continued education credits. As I mentioned whatever the problem was would be dumb and it was.

I have very little experience with points. These cats are the first time I played with them in life and usually prefer a conversion to electronic. Today I swapped and tested two coils which didn't fix the issue. I did find the wiring for the coil and resistor was all wrong so that got fixed along the way and was wondering it it burned the points so I fetched some new ones.

The machine came with a single barrel Holley which was rebuilt as well before I got a correct donor. Swapped that on and it ran the same. Decided to get a new set of points. When I picked the points up from Napa today I noticed a silver spring in the package and asked if this was extra or for another application. Guy said maybe for a different application and I moved on. On the drive home I was thinking about what was in there the extra spring and a bell went off. I thought it was odd how little tension was on the contact when I set the gap but who figured that was normal.

Problem? No spring was installed and floating points under acceleration. Installed the spring, new points, set the gap and like magic purrs like a good cat. It actually runs very well. Next on to the mismatched alternator setup, strange battery ground location, and radiator mess.