1977 Tucker 542ASC

[tenmile]

Here are some pictures. To be clear, these are the 1" rollers from Tucker; I'm just surprised at how different they are. You'll see the lack of grease fitting as it's now apparently a sealed bearing, and also note the radius difference. It doesn't seem like a lot in the picture, but in real life it feels a lot larger and I'm already seeing some challenges with the slightly larger bearing in the tracks. They are ~$44/ea, by the way.

Would welcome help on the track tension question if anyone has any guidance

 

[DAVENET]

The search for replacements has been going on for decades and once Tucker got into the 'Classic' cat business they were forced to find a solution and this was the next best fit option. i.e., it's probably as close as is available without custom machining that would double the cost. As such, the biggest issue areas would the the 'C' channels up by the sprocket and the one on the bottom of the pontoon. All of the rolling contact is directed toward the center of the pontoon, so the outer part of the channel would need to be flared open slightly in those contact areas. I'm not sure if heating those peace's to bend them would affect the temper of the metal since it is plow steel, but I'm sure someone here will have that answer.

Only use those when doubling them up on the same grouser - if you have a dead roller, swap both on that grouser and move the old roller to a different spot.

 

[tenmile]

Maiden (successful) voyage this past weekend at the CO Snowcat Jamboree!

Have some carb related issues that created some challenges when starting when warm, or at altitude that I'll need to address. Also, I've got something binding somewhere it feels like but it's unclear what. So, more to come on that front, but otherwise felt like a successful trip (minus the stall during the hillclimb challenge... d'oh!).

On the rollers, I didn't have time to go back and match sides (new roller on both sides of the grouser) but didn't have too many issues this weekend. I'll add that to the 'if I have time' over the summer list.

 

[DAVENET]

The issue won't be with working or not, it will be in excessive wear on the new parts from not running parallel to each other. Awesome that the maiden trip was a success!