Snowtrack restauration project

louis · Mar 12, 2012

Hi to all,
My name is Louis; i lived on Orleans Island close to Quebec city, Canada

This is my first post on the forum

I bought in 2009 a 1975 Snowtrack serial number 1824; found it in Newfounland, Canada

Since then, i started a full restauration cause big bugs were found on the machine mostly the following;

The two gaz tank were leaking
Tires: the big ones were not the same model and tubes were leaking; the small ones were not the right size and tubes leaking as well
Tracks: most tire guide not original and not the right shape
Two drive shafts: splines on sprocket side worn out
Two sprokets : inside drives splines worn out
Engine: poor condition, low compression on cylinder 1 and 3
Electrical: fuse block , most switches and lights not working
Brakes: not working at all
Strap for variator: worn out and hold together with bolts and nuts
Wiper motor and mechanism not working
Paint: poor condition
Top and windows leaking

Enclosed the orange Snowtrrack image as it was when i bought it

Now, let' talk about the full restauration I did: :smile:

New gaz tank custom made with a capacity of 20 gallons
Tires: big 4 new Alpine guide 16 ", 10 small new aircraft tailwheel , new bearings and seal on each wheel
110 track guide custom made to original shape and specifications
2 new custom made drive shafts installed with new bearings and seals
2 new drives splines bushing installed inside sprocket
New 2000cc engine installed
New exhaust system custom made
Transmisison overhauled and installed with new rubber mount
New custom made 16 teeth sprockets at transmisison output and new chain installed
Variators overhauled with new strap, bearings and seals
All electrical renew: new battery box installed outside, new wiring, master switch, lights
2 new independant wiper motor and mechanism installed
Gaz heater overhauled;new gaz pump and gas tank
New paint (red, my favorite colour) and sound profing
New custom jump seat install
New brake system all over

I could drive it a few times on the St-Laurence River shore but I might be missing snow very soon :sad:

300 H and H · Mar 12, 2012

Very, very nice unit!!

Good job with it. May I ask how if you know what kind of speed the 16 tooth drivers gets you? It is something I would like to do with mine.

Also like the rear flaps. Hope it helps keep the rear windows clean, it looks like it would.

In the third pic I see a wee little face...Your son? Kids love Snow Trac's! Mine do any way, when we get some snow....

Regards, Kirk

pixie · Mar 12, 2012

Fantastic job

Welcome to this forum. Hope you will post more pictures of your adventures !

JimVT · Mar 12, 2012

i would like to find out about the drive splines you had made. this is a part we cant get anymore.
jim

Northcoast · Mar 13, 2012

Holy Shit! That is absolutely fantastic! Can't even imigine how much work that took. Have fun! :biggrin:

northeastheavy · Mar 13, 2012

That has to be one of the nicest ones out there!!! Looks like it was new!!!

nikos · Mar 13, 2012

hi Louis
What I understand from the whole situation is that you knew exactly what you needed. You made a great impression with the end result of your own work.
I was thinking to place a allouminio tank in the rear, but ended up with a plastic,(easy ordering).
I liked the stainless steel parts and the mirrors of course.
Give us information about how the engine work (2000 cc-performance - consumption behavior, etc).The engine is WV ?
I noticed in the console of the electric organ on the right side, there is a power switch (with key). A naive question.
What exactly is the role of this switch?

again BRAVO louis, :clap:

I liked the color red too :smile:

All the best Nikos.

the old trucker · Mar 13, 2012

Louis, can you tell me the name of the town where you bought this cat ?? I live in Newfoundland & have seen only one Snow track here in 59 years.
You have done an excellent job of restoring the cat...

The Old Trucker

utahwilson · Mar 13, 2012

Great Job on the restore. :wow:

"I have never seen its equal"

DAVENET · Mar 13, 2012

Wow.

Snowtrac Nome · Mar 13, 2012

that is an outstanding job that rig apears to be a transition model looks like a mix between two band track and 3 band track components the sprokets look like they belong to a 3 band model as does the brakes and big wheel those are 2 band tracks on it i would like to see sonme more pics of the sprokets

louis · Mar 17, 2012

Hi,
Oups! Previously posted to a wrong thread :sad:

The speed with the 16 tooth give a very nice cruise speed in 3rd gear
3200 R.P.M. (18 to 20 M.P.H)
4200 R.P.M. (25 M.P.H.) and you still have the 4th gear
(image gear 1 and image gear 2)

The 2 new drive shaft made in a machine shop in Quebec city cost 1,900$ CAN$ with the splines drive inside the sprocket (see image shaft)

To build an aluminium gaz tank like the one you see on my Snowtrack requires :
A Pull Max
English wheel and many sheets metal tools
Welder with lots of experience (I am certified Aircraft welder with 30 years of experience )
(image gaz tank 1 and gas tank 2)

The switch on the right is a master switch to cut the battery

louis · Mar 17, 2012

Hi,

Additional steps of my project

Picture 1:
The old hood was in a very bad shape so faster to make a new one from scrach (aluminium 2024T3 063")

Picture 2:
Inside new hood ready for final paint

Picture 3:
Engine bay before repair and paint

Picture 4:
Engine bay with new paint

Picture 5:
Cabine ready for final paint

Picture 6:
Engine bay with noise cancelling "DYNAMAT" installed

Picture 7:
Sound proofing material installed (Jig saw closed cell .500" foam) installed over "DYNAMAT" with HD contact glue

More to come!!!! :wink:

Melensdad · Mar 17, 2012

I'm just curious, when you are done and have some free time, my Snow Trac needs to be freshened up a bit, it was restored about 6 or 7 years ago, could use some work again. Stop by, I'll let you use my tools to fix it up for me . . . won't even charge you to use them.

louis · Mar 17, 2012

Here are picture one to 7

louis · Mar 18, 2012

Short video in Quebec on the St Laurence River shore

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdrJ29pneNw"]Snow trac Quebec St-Laurence River shore - YouTube[/ame]

300 H and H · Mar 18, 2012

louis,

Do you ever use 4th gear? in the post it stated speed in 3rd but not 4th. Headers sound nices but what about heat in the cabin?

Warm and quiet as I can is the way I have mine set up. It doesn't scare the wildlife that way....But I would like to change to a 15 or 16 tooth driver as you have done. It is mostly flat were I am running mine. Some steep hills but not many. I have never had to use 1st gear for anything. I find myself in 4th almost all of the time.

Regards, Kirk

louis · Mar 18, 2012

Hi Kirk,

The 16 th tooth gear is the way to go :smile:

So, built one from the 12th tooth you already have like i did; it cost me less than 25.00 CDN$ each for material only.

We are in Quebec at the end of the winter season :neutral:

Snow is not good now

The 4th gear at:
3200 RPM (28 mph)
4200 RPM (33 mph)
4500 RPM (35+ mph)

Requires a strong engine (95HP +) in 4ht gear in bad spring snow conditions

louis · Mar 18, 2012

Hi guys,

I have found an original snowshack to complete my set of snowtrack and snowschack

Now, i have the SUPER MEGA FULL WINTER TOY KIT :clap:

NorthernRedneck · Mar 18, 2012

Ok. That is seriously a cool setup. Love the camper! Awesome job.

louis · Mar 18, 2012

Short video on my SUPER MEGA FULL TOYS

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozsq2QGkl_o&feature=channel"]Snow track Quebec Snowshack 1 - YouTube[/ame]

louis · Mar 18, 2012

Second short video with my SUPER MEGA FULL TOYS with all lights on !! :w00t2:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyRUgihsDeA"]Snow track Quebec snowshack 2 - YouTube[/ame]

louis · Mar 23, 2012

Hi,

Additionnal pictures of my restauration project during the paint process

More to come... :smile:

jeands8 · Mar 24, 2012

Nice job Louis. Time and effort well spent. Jean

louis · Mar 25, 2012

Hi guys,

Speaking of homemade type Snowcats, here are some pictures of my father's builts in the late fifties

1. First articulated vehicle (1958)
2. Citroen 2 Chevaux engine tractor 1959
3. Citroen Engine tractor construction details
4. Second articlulated vehicle with Jawa Bike engine (1960)
5. Jawa with multi function trailer

Snowtrac Nome · Mar 25, 2012

cool historical pics my little boy would love to have that tractor

Front wheel drive · Mar 25, 2012

Nice job it looks bran new.Did it cost much.

louis · Mar 28, 2012

Hi,

Before the full restauration of the snowtrack, i've installed the big engine and tested everything; new exhaust, new intake engine cooling duct, exhaust baffles, throttle and clutch mechanisms

Picture 1:

I had to grind out the transaxle housing for flywheel gear clearance
Installed a new starter with the correct gear
Replaced the starter bushing in the transaxle housing to fit the new starter

Picture 2:
As you can see, the bigger 8 dowels VW flywheels, the bigger 1 7/8 diameter 4-into-1 exhaust system
New custom cooling air intake for the big engine

Picture 3: Custom air intake duct fit over the oil cooler

Picture 4: Exhaust system routing and some exhaust baffles

Now, Quiz time? :smile:

What do you see on picture 4 that you can also see on the picture (previous post) of my dad's vehicle made back in the fifties?

More to come...

Front wheel drive · Mar 28, 2012

That sure looks nice .I realy like what you did with the paint colors.I have been thinking of building somthing from scratch.I have this old 51 chevy 1430 one ton truck.It has a straight frame .I was thinking about just taking the rear leaf springs off and lifting the diff up to the frame bolting solid.Then ataching 5 torqueflex axels around 2000lb each atach to frame .Use v6 4.3 GM + 350 turbo hydromatic trans.Then put a small Ford ranger truck cab +box on top,less front end and fenders. What do you think,have you or anyone ever done somthing like this.Any feedback would be great.

Front wheel drive · Mar 28, 2012

I forgot to say that I could build the tracks from local potash mine used belting and angel iron. Do you know if one can buy track drive sprockets that would fit the wheal hubs.

Snowtrack restauration project

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