SW-48 Restoration...

[Snowtrac Nome]

good idea i'm not familiar with those older sw's i bet a rear seat from a cj would also work.

 

[benz9]

Cool, nice ideas...
Here is a mock up of the color scheme... Sorry Don, not a Snow Track so not too much red. Might just have enough time this summer to do it since all the rest is going faster than expected.

 

[benz9]

Well, been busy with new tracks...Got my rubber last week (it's at GBS on Kent St in Ottawa) and sat on it all weekend (went to the Bombardier museum instead of working on it) but Monday was a nice day so after painting the last of the wheel guides and back plates, made a guide for my knife to cut the belting to size. Then I used the same guide to mark my holes and punched two full lengths (24feet @ 4 grousers/feet * 4 holes/grouser = over 400 holes). I know there are only supposed to be 56 grousers/track and that makes for a track at about 15 feet but it will overlap on 2 grousers and whatever is left over will remain with the machine as spare track patch. Here's some eye candy:

 

[Alaska Snow Cat]

Ooooooo, aaaaaaah, niiiiice!

 

[benz9]

Ooooooooooh Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah is right. Check out this puppy!

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

nice work , i've noticed how much more effert we all are putting in too our cats when we have a place to show off our work

 

[benz9]

Thanks Don, it is cool to have a place to show off the hard work we put into these beasts. It's also nice to have people who understand (vitually) pat you on the back. My mom says I'm doing a good job when she comes over for diner, but I really don't think she understands all the work that went into this SW-48.

After getting the last of the bearings for this project, reinstalled the last of the suspension and the wheels. It is now moveable! I will try to pull it with my van from it's hole under the trees and park it in front of the garage door so the tools will be closer for the manifold reinstall. Here are some pics of the project so far. I wanted to keep the picture of the bearing boxes for Pixie's thread on them, but here they are. This represents about 700$ worth of bearing cups and cones and oil seals. There are 4 boxes missing because I judged those bearings (in the flower pot on the left side) to be good. Every cup and cone in the suspension was rusted or seized. The wheel bearings were half good but not one of them had a proper seal so they were all full of swamp sand. I guess the previous owner took if for a Muskeg. There are 4 green boxes and those are the seals in the flower pot. For some reason, the aluminum cover on the pots had an odd diameter and the Bombardier seals were completely rubber. (J-A Bombardier opened a rubber factory with his son at the head to create all the rubber parts for the snow cats including the endless tracks. This seal must have been made there.) No troubles for a guy with a lathe, just made that opening 20/1000" bigger and fit that seal in there perfectly. Oh yeah, that's right, there's two of them.

My manifold is due back next week! So once the tracks are all rebuilt and installed, I'll start looking for the gaskets for that. I think I found them on Vintage Power Wagons but if someone has another source for the manifold gaskets on a Chrysler 251 Industrial 8A engine, please let me know, I'd rather spend my money locally.

I'll also slowly start replacing the hydraulic hoses that are starting to show signs of age (cracks and leaks). I'm gonna need to brush up on my hydraulics, because that was a long time ago and being in electronics, I haven't touched that since High School. Good thing we have Princess Auto where everything (almost) comes from China except the hydraulics.

Y'all have a good weekend. I'll be in Drummondville for the next couple of days looking at the parts I can scrounge for my machine. I'll take pictures if they let me...

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

good work i'm glad the guy i got my snow trac from knew how to use a greese gun i will post some pics from today later right now i have to put a transmission in to a wrangler

 

[Mtn-Track]

Benz;

I have the exact same Chrysler 251 Industrial 8A engine in my Tucker. I was able to get a complete engine overhaul gasket set at CarQuest Auto Parts. Do you have one of them near-by? If not, I bet NAPA would be able to get them also...

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

carquest iss the same as advance auto parts and cragens i would bet just all the parts stores could get you the gasket set as most of those flat heads shared alot of gaskets

 

[125a]

Benz,
Looking good.
I used Fel-Pro MS 8583 B for the manifold gasket for my 251. Purchased at local NAPA.
Regarding your earlier fuel pump query: Have had good luck so far with an electric FACET pump, with additional clear plastic pre-filter, both also from NAPA.
If you have not already done so, you might as well pull the cab to clean out your differential. Melt and rain water can collect in that vicinity, and the cover gasket may leak. Greatly facilitates the wash-out process. You can also get a good look at your brake linings etc.
CAT TO-4 fluid works well for the refill.

 

[benz9]

Thanks for the info guys, gals. I just got back last night from a job site in Drummondville where I managed to get some parts for my second track that were broken. I will be going to NAPA today since they are only a few "klicks' away but if they don't have it, yes, we have CarQuests here, 3 of them in the Ottawa metropolitain area.
125a - I've decided to stay with the mechanical pump on the engine. It works now and I think I'll just add a prefilter from a diesel engine with a purge valve underneath bolted to the back wall (behind the seat but inside engine compartment) for easier access to purge water. I do plan on removing the cab, but not this year. I know it would be much easier but it's important that it works before the first snow! We've discussed in detail the CAT TO-4 fluid and even with a brother-in-law working at CAT, any 5 gallon pail of oil that is over 150$ is not worth it. Canadian Tire TDH works just fine for me at 44$/5gal. Thanks for the part number, I'm sure that will speed things up at NAPA.

 

[the old trucker]

Thanks for the info guys, gals. I just got back last night from a job site in Drummondville where I managed to get some parts for my second track that were broken.

Benz9 did you get your parts from Marcelle Houle ? Is his work place @ exit 185 on HWY 20 ? I want to get two windows like the ones that are in your doors. I think they will fit in my B12 doors.
Do you have his phone number ?
The Old Trucker

 

[benz9]

Old Trucker --> 819-397-5669 don't bring too much money, you might spend it all there. Any pics of your project??? How's it moving along? I'm going to St-Raymond next year to see the parade, will you be in it?

Found the gasket kit at NAPA but geez louise, American part # aren't the same in Canada, go figure, hey!
But I have on order, gasket, engine bolts, brass nuts and washers. I need a small o-ring for my fuel pump and I'd be ready to start her up again! Maybe not this weekend, but the next one for sure.

I can't believe the fastener store was all out of 3/8 washers. They should be in tomorrow after lunch, tracks needing bolts to get rebuilt.

So much to do this weekend and so little time... Must prioritize 1- attend kids high school graduation on Friday night, 2- get home late so sleep a bit, 3- get up early, drink coffee, work on SW, 4- eat lunch, 5- work on SW, 6- stop for supper, 7-work on SW until dark, ... you guys know the drill...

 

[the old trucker]

Sorry no pics to talk about. Been too busy this last month with the lousy flu. My neighbour/ "mechanic" is back to work, so I'm kinda limited to what I can do that way & health wise. I think I have to move the engine back 3-4" for clearance for the rad to go in place.
I got patterns for the wood today, so I will be ready for that part. Kinda got to watch the stash, don't take long to disappear. I have a couple of pics for you. I had the bushings made from uhmw material. Supposed to last longer than steel. Also ordered new bearings & seals. Here's a setup from Quebec, slides instead of wheels.

 

[benz9]

125a --> Right on the money on those gaskets! thanks a million.
Old Trucker --> take care of yourself, and best of luck with your project.

Been busy taking the second track apart with the usual problematic bolts that just put me in a "crap I hate this $h!t" kinda mood. So I pause and try something else, like sandblast backing plates and tire guides, move the SW-48 closer to the garage, ready for engine rebuild & test, etc...
Then the mood returns to normal and I attack the track again. I was really happy to see my manifold return from Montreal all repaired.Thanks a million to my father in law for his magic.

Dropped by NAPA today and all the engine studs, nuts, gaskets were in! Also found a plastic box for housing the battery. I've been hunting for one of these for a while and found it at your friendly neighborhood NAPA, again. Also hit a hard spot on the track this week, so I took the valve covers off, sandblasted them and painted them. Wish I had engine blue, but High Temp Tremclad was all I had on Canada's 143rd birthday (all the stores were closed). Notice there is one stud left that broke. I have to try an easy out on it before reinstalling the manifold. Also, I think I better get moving on the fuel pump too, much easier access without the manifold on...
Here are some pics of the progress:

 

[pixie]

Looks like things are moving right along, Benz.

I got to thinking... you didn't mention any special tactics to get bolts out from under the tire guides..... do you want to tell your secret ?

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

125a --> Right on the money on those gaskets! thanks a million.
Old Trucker --> take care of yourself, and best of luck with your project.

Been busy taking the second track apart with the usual problematic bolts that just put me in a "crap I hate this !t" kinda mood. So I pause and try something else, like sandblast backing plates and tire guides, move the SW-48 closer to the garage, ready for engine rebuild & test, etc...
Then the mood returns to normal and I attack the track again. I was really happy to see my manifold return from Montreal all repaired.Thanks a million to my father in law for his magic.

Dropped by NAPA today and all the engine studs, nuts, gaskets were in! Also found a plastic box for housing the battery. I've been hunting for one of these for a while and found it at your friendly neighborhood NAPA, again. Also hit a hard spot on the track this week, so I took the valve covers off, sandblasted them and painted them. Wish I had engine blue, but High Temp Tremclad was all I had on Canada's 143rd birthday (all the stores were closed). Notice there is one stud left that broke. I have to try an easy out on it before reinstalling the manifold. Also, I think I better get moving on the fuel pump too, much easier access without the manifold on...
Here are some pics of the progress:

I own an easy out set but almost never use it anymore try welding a washer to the studd than weld a bolt to the washer and while evey thing is glowing red slowly back the bolt oout and it should reemove even the most rusted in broken studd

 

[125a]

Benz,
You're welcome. I saved the empty box for an occasion such as this.

I have the parts manual in a pdf, if you need a copy.

 

[benz9]

Pixie, yes, I think I could almost start the engine this weekend if I put my mind to it, but to no avail, there are no tracks... The big secret, and sorry for posting it in your thread, is to cut up the track in small pieces, like 6 grousers so it's manageable, after exhausting all options on the nut, slap the rest of this piece of track on the drill press, center punch the bolt itself and drill until you're thru the nut with a small pilot drill. Then (I use a cobalt bit) drill with a 3/8" (my bolts are 3/8, yours are 1/2) bit and if you drilled center, the nut (or what's left of it) will stay on your drill bit. The rest is easy. I took pictures of this process but figured it was boring... guess I was wrong. I am glad I'll only have to do this once in the life of this SW-48.

Don, OMG, that is such a radical mesure. I guess regular steel wire wouldn't stick to the cast iron. It sounds so tried and true that I just might try it today.

125A - Thanks for the offer, I have both parts manual for the SW and J5 of 1972/73 plus I bought the Chrysler book for the engine. If you have something else, I'd love to have it. I have a habit of marking real part numbers in my printed manuals for future reference...helps later down the road.

Looks like another nice warm summer day, perfect conditions to work on my machine...after a good breakfast. Ciao.

 

[benz9]

It's lunch time Sunday, been at it most of the weekend. Put the "track teardown" project on the back burner, it was just too hot for that. Instead, I tested dds's trick on the engine block stud. I welded a washer, then welded a bolt and while it was still red hot, broke the stud even further into the block. I had to go the easy-out method and I wasn't impressed. It took a good 2h to get it out.

Then I decided to work on wiring in the engine compartment. When the tins are off, it makes it much easier to work. Put all the wiring inside a old heater hose and ty-wrapped it all to make it not only look good, but protected too!

I then got the urge to sandblast my tins, and so I did, and they are all primed and ready for paint! I'm now committed to doing the cab...

Now it's time to relax, maybe even go to the air show today in Gatineau!

At the same time, slapped some High Temp paint on the manifold...

I'll be back on "track" duty this week and most likely will have #2 done by the end of week if all goes well. Here's a couple of pics:

 

[Alaska Snow Cat]

Instead, I tested dds's trick on the engine block stud. I welded a washer, then welded a bolt and while it was still red hot, broke the stud even further into the block. I had to go the easy-out method and I wasn't impressed. It took a good 2h to get it out.

Don's trick works good but next time try heating the block and use a piece of ice to cool the stud(after welding on the nut) which causes it to shrink while the block expands. Also if you are good, and I mean really good, Center drill the broken stud all the way through and using a small tip on your cutting torch get the stud glowing orange and then give it a short blast of oxygen. I have had much better success at this method than with an easy out. The mass of the block prevents it from getting as hot as the stud and as quickly so only the stud melts and is blasted out.

 

[benz9]

AK Snow Cat, my bad, I used a mig welder to weld the washer/bolt, guess O/A would have been preferable... It's out now, no worries...back to "track duty", less than 20 grousers left!!!!!

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

i normaly use a mig with .030 you have to use a weld i have also done it with 7018 a good solid weld is necessary and it will work also if using an easy out drilling the studd all the way through will allow the materail to shrink to ease removal when i knoow the bolt will come out easy i use reverse flute drill bits got to use them this weekend when my 6.2 diesel broke a starter bolt.

 

[benz9]

dds, I'm thinking of getting some reverse flutes, I've heard only good things about them. Even as we go through a heat wave, I gave my all last night and there are only 5 grousers left to disassemble on track #2. I forgot that this coming weekend is my hometown festival with lots of outdoor concerts. Trying to get as much done since I want to go to the festival .

 

[benz9]

This part wasn't supposed to be done this year, but I've been aching to try it out and see how heavy it is. Check it out!

 

[pixie]

Cool !!!!

You've gone this far, you might as well dump the gas out and rinse the tank and open up the differential and see what's in there ...

 

[benz9]

You didn't tell me that you were a mind reader too!
Only problem, festival starts tomorrow and ends Sunday night and I have friends and family coming over just for that, so it might go to next week.
Hmmm, think I'll make it before the snow comes?
Is it 35 degrees Celcius (95F) and more in your neck of the woods too?
I'm at the office "chillin" cause it's cooler here than at home....

 

[pixie]

Yes, on the temperature !!! I have an air conditioner in my garage ( only one ) but it's not big enough. Have to go sit in my car to cool off.
It's 10F degrees cooler today... I hope that's a trend. But the humidity is worse and that could back off anytime !

Do you have a cover so rain won't leak into your differential ?

 

[benz9]

Pixie, Yes, I've covered "her" up real nice with 3 layers so no water gets in there. But, you did put an itch behind one of my ears...with your post this afternoon. I didn't think I'd have time tonite...but...

It's the prettiest thing on the whole machine.

I'm not too proud of whoever put the cover back on the last time (not the previous owner, I know that for a fact) but whoever it was used bathroom silicone on the Bombardier rubber gasket. Most of the bolts at totally rusted and I'm not reusing them. I'm even thinking of making a new plate...I can do it all except the hump for the crown gear. Maybe I'll go see my friend at the stainless shop, they have a few large presses...

Not too much rust on her curves, and there's a lot of brake material. No pitting on the gears (I know the picture looks like that but it's just a rust stain, nice and smooth). I am so happy that this part is good. Now it's time to pack it in for the night, it's already getting dark here (and cooler, thank god). If I get an early start tomorrow, I may just get her all cleaned up and resealed before the rain (whenever that is...).