Will it run? John Deere Liquifire 440! Barn Find.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มี.ค. 2022
- a fella dropped off this sweet old John deere 440 Liquifire to see if I could get it up and goin for him. she's a nice one! had had fun workin on it and it's good to see these old sleds still around and running 🍻 as always thanks to our buddy Brett Leier for the great tunes!
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How am I just finding your videos/ channel now? I love this! Your personality and sense of humor are much needed in our world today. Thank you for helping me be a better sled mechanic as well. 👍🏻
thank you! 🍻
You read my mind. Im actually headed out now to pick up a 1977 john deere 440 sled. This video got me excited
I grew up with JDX6’s I couldn’t believe it when I got off the school bus there were two brand new sitting in the yard. This channel continues to have great content, really enjoy the old sleds. Tons of lake front in Saskatchewan:)
The last sled I had was a 1980 Liquifier 440
Loved that machine. Ran great!! That was 1996. Thanks for the memories
That is awesome! 🍻
You're a happy guy, Pete. And you enjoy your 'Buds'. Nice one!
haha yessir! 🍻
The amount of John Deere puns I heard in the first two minutes of this video is not only alarming, but insanely impressive. Well played.
Also, I can confirm Kawasaki made the Firebursts, though I believe the actual design was authentic John Deere
Pete, I can honestly say I know every nut, bolt, screw and washer on those sleds. Was a factory trained Deere mechanic in Alberta. Was given a work order to tear down and replace with a completely new tunnel. There are a few tricks to the clutch weights that engage the secondary in half the time, it would snap outta the hole like a rocket. Also there is no fancy tools required, every fastener is easy access, not like the skidoo products of the time which were a nightmare to get at many fasteners. Only one factory warranty inspection of the lower steering weld was ever needed. That Kawasaki oil injection system was a precision gear driven design and oil fed past the carbs like the Yamalube system. Would be nice to have that 440 in a 1976 Liquidator and the updated slide rail suspension.
Thanx for the mameries, Pete.
I just started seeing your videos and they are awesome. I'm 64 and you brought back great memories with your barn finds of the sleds that were available when I was in my twenties. Keep up the great videos, love your humor 😄
Nice video Pete. My buddies first sled was a 440 Liquifire. That would have been back in the early 90's. Yeah your bang on, those older machines are usually way easier to wrench on
I had a Deere like that one. many years ago. Sold it.should have kept it. Thanks for the detailed vid.
Right on! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🍻
By the power of greyskull 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣I have the power lol I ALMOST pissed my pants when you said that
🤣🍻
Great detective work love your videos
The John Deere Liquifire and Trailfire sleds were innovative and sought after in the late 70s. The days when Ski-Doo, Moto-Ski, Arctic Cat and Yamaha were the immerging surviving brands of the snowmobile craze of the 70s. Oddly, as the 80s went-on I never saw any John Deere sleds on the trails after 1990. Nice barn-find on your part, and this sled appears to be in decent condition. It would be nice to see your Liquifire and Sno-Runner restorations running on the snow.
Love the content,
Get crankseals in that thing, all old sleds should have them but Kawasaki engines are famous for them even when they wernt that old. Also you MUST keep the oil injection on those as ot oils the center bearings. Approx 65 hp.
Great video, That takes me back to when I bought a brand new 1980 JD Liquifire (1976 thru 1983). I bought it in Davison Michigan from a JD dealership for $3500.00. The engine is a 440 liquid cooled exactly the same as the one in the Kawasaki Invader but the only difference was the style Mikuni carbs that Deere put on it and were nothing but trouble. The Kawasaki had the main jet that sat in a drain cap in the bottom of the carb bowl where the JD had the thimble shaped cut out that was sealed by the "O" ring and had another jet to the side of it. Anytime you got some junk down in there it would not run right and you had to constantly clean the carbs. Mine sat in storage for about 5 years before i took it to Florida and stored it then sold it to my brothers friend from Missouri. He rode it around til the bolt loosened up on the jack shaft stripping it out. My guess is he junked it because JD sold their parts division and parts were eventually phased out. Anyone out there who owns one, switch to the Kawasaki carbs and save yourself a lot of headaches. Also i remember even with good wear bars/carbides the steering was still side to side and a little hard to steer in the corners, a set of ski spreaders might help but that was normal back then, you had to do a lot of leaning.
76 to 78 used a ccw motor and was a totally different chassis. all were cool as hell though
I had a 1976 JD 340 , 400 series sled bought new from Campbells JD dealership in Hemlock Michigan ,, had massive fun back in the day
Best sleds back in the day.
So happy I found you doing sled work. Like a Canadian vice grip garage with snowmobiles lol
That old girl has the same motor in it as the Kawasaki invader 440. I’ve had a few of them. Hundred miles an hour no problem down the lake. With 3 to 4 inches of travel you feel like you’re going 300 miles an hour lol incredibly fun and fast. Why can’t they make 440s do that nowadays? Lol.
Just have to remember back in the day The 440 was the big sled. Now we have 900s 1000‘s you name it.
Can't disagree at all. The older sleds have character, and are really fun to ride. Just picked up a 1995 Indy 440 a couple months ago. Love it! I will take an older sled over any of the new stuff out there any day.
The JD engines were detuned by Kawasaki so they weren't faster than the Invaders
@@dirtyfacegeorge9938 HOW SO?
LOL NOT QUITE 100 .......MORE LIKE 85
@@crashalexander7232 the kawi engine in the JD's had different set of heads then the 440 kawi invaders. Bigger combustion chamber lesser on compression . And they also used different Pistons , invader pistons had the L ring on the top of piston , and carbs were also different . But that being said the kawi engines in the JD sleds lasted longer . Invaders if not kept up on ate pistons from lean issues and if a plug Fowled and wasn't taken care of right away. My ol' man had invaders from the first untill the last in 81,82 . I still revive them to go for a rip every now and again. Couple years back I put together an 82 kawi LTD true blue 4/6 . Kawi was on to something back in the day sad they went out like they did.
I just loved the video on the john deere ski doo. Fkn awesome.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🍻
Fun. Watching from Ontario Canada 🎉
Awesome! Thank you! 🍻
What a sweet ride . Awesome 👍 looking John Deere sled. Nice work. You did on it . Thanks great video.
Snowmobile guy and I love this channel . Keep the great videos coming. The 84 liquidfire 440s were pretty decent fast sleds in the day with those Kawasaki 440 engines. 84 was last year they only made I think around 420 of them
Thank you!🍻
Man, come to NB this winter and I’ll take ya through our trails! You would be a blast to ride with! Love your energy ! 😎🤘
haha that would be sweet! 🍻
I just found your channel. You have a awesome personality. Keep up the amazing videos
Thank you! Will do! 🍻
Awesome video! Entertaining and educational. Keeping those relics on the trails!
I would love one of those. Something about vintage sleds just tickles my pickle. I remember having a 1984 pantera when I was around 9-10 and a jag 340. Those were the days. I learned to ride on a 1970s skidoo. I unfortunately was to young to remember what it was.
I had a J.D., I don't remember the model but it had a 292c.c. twin fan cooler and it was fast as L ! Our snow has gone away again, in N.Y.
I had a ski doo diver bullet, my buddy had this sled, another had Kawasaki invader, another had the el Tigre, it was 1982-83' I believe, best years of our lives, oh and the Polaris til was my backup, my nemesis had a scorpion whip and an enticed, my neighbor had the Saber Jet which was kinda fast, we used to race cars on the side of art 81 here in NY
lol good times! 🍻
i really enjoy a video where you see work being done, not just talking
You did a great job on that old girl remind me of my old John Deere cyclone
That's still a nice machine
Keep em coming Pete!! Enjoy watching these vids!
Awesome to see and run! I saw a few of them running in the early 80s and 90s but dang that's pretty kewl to see one revived. I always heard stories of how easy these were to work on and a blast to ride. Great video, still learning 👍 this is very great content. Great catch and preventative work.
thanks! 🍻
That's cool. My brother had 2 of those back in the day. It was one of the fastest ones in our fields
"Out on the snow nothing runs like a Deere"
Love these videos of the 80s 90 sleds
I had a liquidfire, it got about 49miles per belt. But it was quick as hell.
So my Dad has a Liquifire, and it still runs, love going for a rip with her across the fields out here in Northern Alberta. Great video!
Nice One! cheers 🍻
brings back fond memories of my 1978 liqifire.........440 Kiortz engine ( KEC)
What’s awesome channel u deserve so many more subs funny and educational
thank you!! I really appreciate it 🍻
Awesome video Pete, you’re a great mechanic ✌🏻
With it's low center of gravity, and in experienced hands, these sleds will hang with the modern ones in the woods. Out in the open, well not so much, that is just how it is. As mentioned, the injection needs to work for the bearings to get proper lube. They are hard on crank seals, those should be replaced ASAP! Great survivor though, they have a following. A lot of the guys who do sled videos not only know nothing about JD sleds, they seem to know nothing about sleds in general. This video was way better than most, KUDOS!
If it sat for any long amount of time it definitely needs crank seals before its too late. Regarding handling the liquifire won the world shootout handling category in I believe 81 or 82. The Liquifire is in fact, one of the best leafer woods runners ever made. Many of old man who owned them new and still ride will tell you the same. A good rider could beat or hang with near any modern sled in the woods.
Pro tip. You can take the o ring part off the emulsion tube and screw the jet directly in there. Ethanol was gonna eat those O-rings away. Will save you a lot of headache later.
thanks for the tip! cheers 🍻
Good work Pete. Cool old buggy !!
Awesome sled
Awesome vid man! My cousins had two JD sleds in the last 70’s…both had reverse, which was awful handy to help get our asses out of the ditch every 15 minutes.
Nice Pete. From Renfrew Ontario. Enjoy your vids. Thanks
That was awesome ... You picked up a sweet (old school) sled and you got your Deere running like a rabbit!
Well Done. I enjoyed your video.
Alex
thanks! cheers Alex 🍻
Studded and carbide skags on a frozen river with lots of tight bends are where these sleds really shine. The crankshaft is barely 9" off the snow. The low center of gravity makes them handle
better than anything of the era. A rider who is good at body english in the corners will surprise faster sleds all day long. I put 2,200 miles on one in one season. Great sleds back in the day.
Awesome video Pete. Your mechanical knowledge on snowmobiles is incredible. Wish i didn"t live so far away, because you could wrench my sled anyday.
awsome keep up the good work
thank you! 🍻
I’ve learned so much about sleds from watching your videos. Keep up the great content. Thanks for all the videos! As long as you keep posting I’ll keep watching you have a lifetime subscriber here!
that's great! thanks 🍻
I had a JD 292 twin way back, fast as all get out! Got a vmax 600 now.
I had one of those years ago. We named her Olie Johnson
This is awesome. Please find more 79-84 John Deere sleds. Even a Trailfire will do.
Damn Pete you frickin rock! What memories! My best frds Dad owned a JD Dealership n of course there were new ones to ride n own.
I came home from school one day n my Dad had 4 new jds parked by garage for me n my brother's. Now I've gotta find one to restore! Awesome vids man, keep 'em coming!😉👍
thanks 🍻
trail reminds me of down home, little narrow twisty turnies wth lots of yes mams
Great video and repair information but beyond that, you are funny. I enjoy the technical information and the comedy.
Hi Pete. Another awesome video. Keep em coming. Cheers.
thank you! 🍻
I had one I loved that machine!!
by the power of Greyskull LOLOL OMFG dude. Your enthusiasm is mint my friend. Just kills me.
These old barn finds are incredible. I love these restore vids.
Well done, again, good sir!
good to see nice job ,back when a snowmobile looked normal 👍
Thanks 🍻
Awesome video Pete I just subscribed to your channel, great content and explaining what your doing as you fix problems love those old sleds I am planning on buying another vintage sled thanks
that's great! I'm glad you like the videos and i really appreciate you subscribing to the channel! 🍻
So cool. This was my first sled, 1980. That kawi 440 would move!
This is a guy we could drink a beer with lol
haha yessir! 🍻
It's all your fault..I was telling myself i was done with leafers. Well now I'm on the hunt again! Great vid man.
Hi Pete, just found your channel. Own a 92 440 Artic Cat Cougar was liquid cooled then previous owner converted to fan motor. Lots of fun. Easy to work on. Love the ice donuts. Enjoy some liquid JD for me as well. Great tips and very funny. Down in the States. Still getting rain. Central Massachusetts.
cheers Massachusetts 🍻
Any help b awesome u seem smart on these sleds
Nice.. My 1st ride on a brand new sled was an 82 liquifire
Hey!!
Like the guy below me that commented I just found your channel and love it, Thank you for the look at this beauty, I Graduated in 1986 and I bought this same machine in the winter of 87 and let me tell you this machine was a dream to work on, it would keep up and match the power of the SRV and SS models back in the day. when you were talking about the spring loaded tool cover for the tool kit we use to put our beers in there with a layer of foam hahaha. 🤣
thanks! I'm glad ya enjoyed the video 🍻
My dream machine back in the day.
GREAT VIDEO
Another great vintage sled revival
Nice job great ole sleds
Thanks 👍🍻
love the videos keep it up
thank you! we will keep them coming 🍻
Just a few years ago I bought a liquid fire at a auction on a hot summer day out of a barn for $175, I got it running and never even had to clean the carburetors the thing ran like a deer then like a fool I sold it for only 600 and right after that a guy called me and said he's been looking for one for years : but then now I have a a 78 TNT 400 free air that I have to get running so all is not lost
These were our favorite sleds in the day. I never trusted the oil injection.
They were a bad ass machine in the day very quick
My neighbor had a Ski Doo Elan, single cylinder. It almost kept up with their 2 cylinder sled. I have no idea what make it was. It was red.🤷♂
yessir! 🍻
I rode one of those amazingly fast ....ended up in a ditch, good times
lol 🤣🍻
She's got a Sportfire Seat
We are going back in time now. It is in good shape. Brown racing stripes in the underwear. Kawasaki had a water cooled that had a top speed of 100. Best video so far started on sleds that year. Radar run with another carbide
I revived a buddy's old 74' Kawasaki 340 invader. Ur right it's very close
Nice One! 🍻
Them engineers that liked to party also made that glovebox able to ELEVEN cold beverages.
A full 12 pack, one in your hand of course
Some of my favorite sleds along with merc sno-twisters.
Phillips head screwdriver no matter the quality is the wrong tool so will slip/strip them. Screws on Japanese carbs are 'JIS' type heads (Japanese Industrial Standard), identified with a small dimple next to the cross. Cross is of different shapes/angles than a Phillips.
well I honestly never knew that...learn somethin new everyday...Nice One! 🍻
@@rednecksdirtyhands I'm into dirtbikes, messed up many JIS screws until I also discovered this. JIS drivers available online but rarely seen in hardware/auto part stores.
I had a 81 kawasaki invader 440 and the john deere counterpart was almost the same when it came to performance.Great sleds.
That Deere is a great looking machine.
Thought you was taking out the shithouse on one stretch,that would be shitty luck.yeah im that guy!!!snookie pa.💥👍🤟💥
Let's get it Pete my dad had one of these
Cleanest old engine ever
Thanks Great info have 2000 Zrt 600 🤔👍👍✌✌
Nice One! 🍻
Check the crank seals after sitting that long so you don’t burn the motor down.
good tip! 🍻
This channel is awesome!
thank you! 🍻
Royal Distributing and MFG supply Sells dayco Belts for all the John Deere Sleds
good to know! cheers 🍻
First sled I ever rode was a john deer, had a big green hood on it
It always fun to drive a slow sled fast then driving a fast sled slow
She's in surprisingly great shape my buddy had the exact SLED his was silver ,,did 85 mph quick for back in the day
Unless someone painted the sled or put a different hood on it there were no silver Liquifires. Trailfires (fan cooled) were silver and top speed might have been 65 mph. There was also the Sportfire which was also fan cooled in black and silver with a bit more power than the Trailfire so top speed would likely be around 70mph.
Hey Pete great video of that JD thx for sharing, I've had a bunch of them Liquifires and always had fun with them. Forget them debbie downers who say scrap it lol their just as fun to ride as other old iron. My old JD LF would run around 80mph on the river with studs great for a 440. Keep up the great videos and oh ya ...them motors were Kawasaki's but who gives a shit ..
Haven't seen one of those in years!
Awesome video Pete, that brought back some memories. The first sled I remember as a kid was my Dad's Boa Ski. Some other old cool sleds I remember were Scorpions and my personal favorite was a 1977 Skiroule 440, it was a Kohler engine with shocks on the back that did absolutely nothing Lmfao!! Cheers man and what is the oldest sled you ever had or rode?
From what I remember John Deer, Kawasaki Sno Jet and possibly Rupp were basically the same thing. The machine I'm after is a Mercury Snow Twistet or Trail Twister. I lived in Thompson Manitoba back in the mid 70"s and the RCMP ran the twisters, fastest machine at the time except for my Sno Jet with a 640 Kohler triple. I was 13 at the time, worked 40 hrs per week (still went school) and just about everything I made went into that sled. Sure miss those days.
lol sounds like the old sno jet Dangled!! nothing like being able to out run the cops when you were 13 🤣🍻
No, JD ,SJ and Rupp where all made by different companies