1973 Tucker Sno Cat 1443 New to Me

[Track Addict]

Finally looking like winter up north. Maybe some local snow in the south next few days.

Sub Zero snowmobiling north of MT Washington then picked away at some Tucker items and another side project to keep up my end of a deal.

New wiper switch installed and the motor is still drawing. Very little leakage from the park circuit. Low speed also doesn't work motor moves a little when wet window but won't dry. The motor is tired and has an issue. I left park wire off and the draw is gone for now. Poor solder job also.

If anybody has the motor part number in advance of the hunt I'd appreciate it.

Made a new battery tie down. The stock setup doesn't fit all the batteries. The bare metal will be rubberized.

Adding ground disconnect switches as well.

 

[1boringguy]

Well not to profile but certain types of people drive shit boxes.

Same true for snowcats, right ?

 

[PJL]

1BG you are right again.

 

[Track Addict]

Winter has returned with a nice dumping and the recent repair/upgrades all working well on the trail breaking.

You never know who you will come across in the woods on a Tuesday but you will meet the nicest people in a Tucker!

Sno-Drifters master cylinder works as expected. Stops easily on hills and third gear cruise testing brake under power. Much better feel now probably from being all new parts and some additional throw.

Applied fluid film behind the aluminum panels and any suspect under carriage areas during reinstall.

Battery didn't die over night so draw is done. Wiper motor still needs attention long-term.

Fixed the rear seats with a rivet rivet nut utilizing the economical factory mount. Setup also sits nicely up on the frame and would have been a better design. Don't like adding holes so put back as built

New president wrapped up Covid and global warming expeditiously?

Hope I can afford the fuel to enjoy!

 

[sno-drifter]

I wood recommend slipping a non- conducting tube around the battery hold down. Big shrink tube better. That scares me. Wing nuts have a habit of self loostening. I lost a balenced 327 due to wing nut loosening and the stud finding it's way to the piston which rocked on the wrist pin and spit the block.

I have removed the rear steat backs and glued 3/4 inch refrigeration closed cell ( Armaflex) between the 3/4 steel tubing. Makes for much better seating comfort, more cheek on seat. More cab room.

 

[Snowy Rivers]

The clamp on battery terminals scare me a bit.....These have a way of corroding and losing connection......and it's never at a handy time. (Great item to have in the tool box for an emergency get it home thing)

I would seriously consider soldering the heavy copper eyes on the cable ends and using a pair of the marine battery terminals with the studs....

Sweet looking ride.....

Glad you are having such a great time.....

 

[Track Addict]

Drifter is correct about my design flaw. As a result I am changing to non conductive strap from the marine world that can use the existing tray and go through the middle of the battery. Also adding two ground cutoffs as suggested.

Ring terminals are superior to post mount terminals. All the junk I have with batteries are all top mount so I like to keep flexible. Haven't found a good post mount crimp connector.

Crimps are superior to soldering for a number or reasons. Even the plumbers have transitioned away.

 

[Track Addict]

Looks like winter is staying here for a bit. Got 12 miles of trails rolled out and my best work on the horse sleigh trail along the farm.

Should setup like concrete.

J. Tucker doesn't last long on these trips as a copilot

 

[1boringguy]

TA, funny I have the same copilot issue. It's probably covered in their union contract.

 

[Track Addict]

40 or so miles on this seasons upgrades all is well!

We had another day! Snovid-21

Meet 6 month old Virginia! Loves sno flakes!

 

[Track Addict]

Resolved the battery tie down situation. Also added two ground disconnects. Already a convienient option.

Swapped the points out for a pertronix electronic ignition and coil.. Starts easier sounds better more power. Planning to roll some fresh sno trails tonight for a longer test.

 

[1boringguy]

Auto parts store had those disconnects?

 

[Track Addict]

Summit racing moroso

 

[DAVENET]

Where are your dual power cables run to? Starter and circuit power board?

 

[Track Addict]

I have a sound bar and subwoofer in there so I ran an additional fuse panel for thosw and future expansion.

Easier to isolate the systems.

 

[western auto]

just a thought....i have removed many of those disconnects/ cable ends and trashed them ........ on cars, truck , jeeps etc , the vibration causes them to loosen up quite easily and create starting issues, good quality cables at least 2 gauge or more and a cat switch would be my recommendation /

 

[Track Addict]

Agreed in theory. Lots of my junk has round posts so I like the battery flexibility between them all. This setup would not be allow on my boats but works for the cat.

Nobody makes a good round post crimp on connector I have found and the amperage requirements are well below the gauge/length specs for this operation.

 

[Track Addict]

Got Tucker thawed out while on a little frind family snowmobile/ski vacation in fun sanctuary state. Youth snowmobile team tackled their first summit Black Cap overlooking Cranmore.

Prepping for a 24 mile round trip vintage ride Sunday so I decide to tackle the track grouser bolt torque and I am glad I did.

The track belting was replaced on this cat before I got it along with many many grousers and idlers/breakers. Few worn ones sprinkled in amongst the real nice and or new ones. The proper torque on the grouser bolts is 20 ft/lbs according to Sterling. What I found was a mix. The welded bolts under the flat stock were mostly correct. The 3 outside on each side were all over the place mostly loose.

Had my Tucker marker assist so I knew where I finished. Once I move out the encroachers I'll finish up tomorrow.

Here are some more grouser styles.

3 bolts exposed each side two inner covered

2 bolts exposed each side 4 inner covered.

3 bolts exposed outside two the inside.

Some new nice ones have welded bolts all across but most under the flat stock cover.

Notice this thinner gauge ones. Only a few on here but they are all bent including toward back in cross track direction. Not sure if aftermarket, or cheaper Tucker version? Quite the collection on this one and interesting where they used which. Must have bought NOS grouser grab bag. Nice tracks nonetheless.

Horses loving the sleigh trail more sno to pack tomorrow!

 

[Track Addict]

832 grouser bolts hand torqued. Took a good 6-7 hours of suck. Was able to assist a 71 Olympic head and base gasket replacement so worked out for the sled.



Headed out for some reward time packing sno!

 

[1boringguy]

832 grouser bolts hand torqued. Took a good 6-7 hours of suck. Was able to assist a 71 Olympic head and base gasket replacement so worked out for the sled.



Headed out for some reward time packing sno!View attachment 135090

And now you're glad you don't have 1600 series tracks ?

 

[Track Addict]

Exhaust to windshield mount broke last night after the 20 mile packing trip. Got that repaired today. All is well.

Vintage fleet going mobile tomorrow!

 

[Track Addict]

Had a great day with the vintage sleds at an undisclosed location fostering awesome. 30 mile trek with lots of shitboxes and laughs.

Mercury 3 cylinder turbo diesel sled was interesting. The mobile kegerator served us well.

Met some of Davenet's people on the trail.

50 miles this weekend so time for a once over. Little oil leaking from transfer case needs investigation but running very well overall.

 

[DAVENET]

Where was that?

 

[Track Addict]

Deering area at that point.
He was with wife? DL grooming on his jacket maybe. Took care of some Tucker groomers.

 

[DAVENET]

I'll have to ask around. If I was to guess it may have been Doug(?) Livingston. Their family owns Livingston's Arctic Cat in Hillsboro. My buddy Steve (Grantham, NH) sold them their old club groomer and Squirrel brought a replacement from Wisconsin to Grantham. So I'm thinking it may have been word of mouth conversations?

 

[Track Addict]

Found some antifeeeze under the Tucker. At first it looked like the head gasket was leaking but turns our thermostat housing seems to the the culprit. Tightened and dryer everything up to determine....

 

[Track Addict]

Little icy today for the loaner sled and rider.

Typical skidoo guy borrowing a cat because his sled is broke. No injuries minimal damage. Another 1/2" would have been expensive!

Looks like spring sun and weather wrapping up our season.....

 

[Track Addict]

Winter motors sports season is wrapping up with the recent warmth. Looking the cat over after last trip the passenger front adjuster idler is hitting the hyfax support and the other wheel. A weld splatter grooved the wheel.

Will have to investigate further.

 

[Track Addict]

Drained out the gas tank and removed the fuel shut off I installed about this time last year.

Non-ethanol fuel is not common around the north east to be able to run it regularly. We can find enough to store motors with and run small engines on.

Each storage season I end up pulling the gas line off to drain which is a hassle. I added a marine dual tank setup then plugged the second tank port with a petcock. I can now drain the tank easily as well as shut the fuel off. The petcock I installed is a back up incase the ball valve were to leak and to keep debris out. Another benefit is if you needed to transfer fuel
to another machine etc. you flip the lever and open the petcock.

Quite a bit of oil under the Tucker. Rear main seal would be my guess without investigating.

 

[Track Addict]

The lonely donor cat has been forced move as progress happens around it. Replanting great grandfathers Christmas Tree Farm that has been long dormant.

He died before I was born and the farm stood still from 1977 on. For many decades we were able to harvest trees until it became over grown. I have since cleared hundreds upon hundred of trees abandoned in seedling rows.

Finally cleared enough land to start with 60 Fraser Fir and White Spruce and have sourced enough child labor. White Spruce is not used much any more but was common back then and what remains on the property.

This investment will provide more visual cover crop for Tucker Sno Cat and vintage grooming implements while keeping the wife happy. As her vision declines I can start adding the junk closer to the house!