vintagebike
Well-known member
I see you have at least one broken rear reflector. If you find the "purist" Hella K1288 replacements please let me know. Been searching for about 2 years now.
I just inherited a retired snow trac from Search and Rescue
- Thread starter WardPilot
- Start date
WardPilot
Member
Dear vintsgebike,
Sorry, I don’t have what you think. I have no rear reflectors (image below - no reflectors, no tail light - yet), but I do have some cool nato taillights left over from a previous project that I hope to utilize. While the snow trac is not a tank, let’s let outsiders out there think it is!
okay, I hear the purists crying, and I greatly respect that, but this snow trac is on the road to being it’s best self as a functioning dependable SAR vehicle. Having it in the best possible, fully capable shape possible is my priority. Adding a few little unique character compromises that I hope draws attention to this community is a bonus. Even the most famous tracs that were used in the Antarctic Expedition were customized.
viva le SnowTrac!
Sorry, I don’t have what you think. I have no rear reflectors (image below - no reflectors, no tail light - yet), but I do have some cool nato taillights left over from a previous project that I hope to utilize. While the snow trac is not a tank, let’s let outsiders out there think it is!
okay, I hear the purists crying, and I greatly respect that, but this snow trac is on the road to being it’s best self as a functioning dependable SAR vehicle. Having it in the best possible, fully capable shape possible is my priority. Adding a few little unique character compromises that I hope draws attention to this community is a bonus. Even the most famous tracs that were used in the Antarctic Expedition were customized.
viva le SnowTrac!
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vintagebike
Well-known member
WardPilot
Member
vintagebike: first let me say your projects look to be epic! I’ll certainly let you know if I come across the parts you need.
second, the images shown in my post were representative of the herringbone track patterns I discovered during my research.
it still surprises me how fun it’s been to find others that have become obsessed with these treasures
second, the images shown in my post were representative of the herringbone track patterns I discovered during my research.
it still surprises me how fun it’s been to find others that have become obsessed with these treasures
Loneoutrider
Member
Pretty promising looking starter kit!
My 1979 Snowmaster has a second set of lovers in the hood. The forward set is over the air horn (cooling not tooting) and the back set over the steering clutches. I don’t know if more louvers would help on your machine.
In the second picture you posted is the hood truly closed or has someone raised the hood setting thinking it would allow more cooling? If the hood has been raised, I think it just allows more heat to remain in the engine compartment.
You may consider new seal material on the air horn to assure that the air coming off the fan is exiting the engine compartment. Changing the air horn seal on my Snowmaster made a very noticeable difference in operating temps.
If I remember correctly, I read that the VW industrial engine was also use in the Spra-Coupe (ag sprayer). Maybe another source of parts in the agricultural area of your state.
Enjoy your new toy
My 1979 Snowmaster has a second set of lovers in the hood. The forward set is over the air horn (cooling not tooting) and the back set over the steering clutches. I don’t know if more louvers would help on your machine.
In the second picture you posted is the hood truly closed or has someone raised the hood setting thinking it would allow more cooling? If the hood has been raised, I think it just allows more heat to remain in the engine compartment.
You may consider new seal material on the air horn to assure that the air coming off the fan is exiting the engine compartment. Changing the air horn seal on my Snowmaster made a very noticeable difference in operating temps.
If I remember correctly, I read that the VW industrial engine was also use in the Spra-Coupe (ag sprayer). Maybe another source of parts in the agricultural area of your state.
Enjoy your new toy
WardPilot
Member
List of attached photos:
1. New air intake seal (2 photos),made by Seal Rubber, called “Trim Seal Vertical Bulb” 20feet for $29 on amazon.
2. Heritage badge and tail light
3. Hood modification- had trouble closing as the support bars hit the side panels. I repositioned the supports for clearance.
4. Old engine, new engine back side. New has a doghouse oil cooler so the original air intake won’t fit. Making a new one and wondering is anybody has dealt with this.
5. Made a variator wrench as designed by “Lyndon”. Worked great. Trying to adjust the lower nut without it was impossible. If you haven’t found Lyndon’s forum posts, start searching. Definitely the holy grail of SnowTrac info.
Between the holidays I got the variator and steering properly adjusted. The gods rewarded me with 8” of new snow, so I couldn’t resist and waisted December playing. We have 5 acres that were made for fun in the snow.
1. New air intake seal (2 photos),made by Seal Rubber, called “Trim Seal Vertical Bulb” 20feet for $29 on amazon.
2. Heritage badge and tail light
3. Hood modification- had trouble closing as the support bars hit the side panels. I repositioned the supports for clearance.
4. Old engine, new engine back side. New has a doghouse oil cooler so the original air intake won’t fit. Making a new one and wondering is anybody has dealt with this.
5. Made a variator wrench as designed by “Lyndon”. Worked great. Trying to adjust the lower nut without it was impossible. If you haven’t found Lyndon’s forum posts, start searching. Definitely the holy grail of SnowTrac info.
Between the holidays I got the variator and steering properly adjusted. The gods rewarded me with 8” of new snow, so I couldn’t resist and waisted December playing. We have 5 acres that were made for fun in the snow.
Attachments
Loneoutrider
Member
Great photos for following your work! Really helps those of thinking of making changes or considering options!
You may want a fuel can cover with the placement of carrying rack. My machine throws a pile of snow on the back half of cargo rack. Do you really need extra fuel onboard. My Snow Master uses about six gallons on a 23 mile round trip on a somewhat packed trail at 6500 to 7500 ft MSL. Leaves me about 4 gallon margin.
GENERAL QUESTION
Following your thread has created questions on performance and speeds. My Snow Master goes along about 10 to 11 MPH at 3000 RPM in 4th gear and 7 MPH in 3rd gear same RPM. I see comments indicating close to 20 MPH, is this a gearing difference between the Snow Trac and Snow Master, a factor of my altitude, or can I push the engine harder?
Great effort on your part.
Keep it going
You may want a fuel can cover with the placement of carrying rack. My machine throws a pile of snow on the back half of cargo rack. Do you really need extra fuel onboard. My Snow Master uses about six gallons on a 23 mile round trip on a somewhat packed trail at 6500 to 7500 ft MSL. Leaves me about 4 gallon margin.
GENERAL QUESTION
Following your thread has created questions on performance and speeds. My Snow Master goes along about 10 to 11 MPH at 3000 RPM in 4th gear and 7 MPH in 3rd gear same RPM. I see comments indicating close to 20 MPH, is this a gearing difference between the Snow Trac and Snow Master, a factor of my altitude, or can I push the engine harder?
Great effort on your part.
Keep it going
The Snow Masters had lower gearing than the Snow Tracs. There were 3 sets of gears available. Low Speed (11 teeth ST2027) which I understand was stock on SM, Mid (12 teeth ST2002) which was Stock on ST and high (15 teeth ST2049) which was option on ST.
Loneoutrider
Member
I don’t know what gears I have, but based on the speeds I am getting, it would appear it is the 11 tooth setup.
Lucky me! As I understand it, at my altitude 12 of the 40 VW horses got away. With any appreciable upslope I am having to shift from 4th to 3rd gear!
Lucky me! As I understand it, at my altitude 12 of the 40 VW horses got away. With any appreciable upslope I am having to shift from 4th to 3rd gear!
I might add to that.. If I remember correctly the Snow Masters had a larger front "driven" sprockets. Not sure of the tooth count.
Loneoutrider
Member
I just counted 14 sprocket teeth on my Snow Master.
Ward Pilot, I am not sure that your tracks are on backward! My machine with the herringbone grousers has the same effect of pulling the snow to the center of the track.
Ward Pilot, I am not sure that your tracks are on backward! My machine with the herringbone grousers has the same effect of pulling the snow to the center of the track.
How many are on the driven front sprocket? A Standard ST4 has 33 teeth.
As I remember there were 3 variants of the driven as well for the older models (??34,38,42??) But I think that when the brakes came inside they standardized to one. I did not dig into that as much as the drive gears though and may not remember correctly.