1990 skidoo safari clutch problems?? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

whodamudafuca · 01-15-2013, 08:31 PM

Hey guys, I recently came across a 90 safari 470 liquid cooled and I need some advice (besides jumping off it just before that hole in the ice, lol). Before you give me heck, I read the how to clutch cleaning article and thoroughly cleaned with brake cleaner and used some scotch brite to clean off oxidation. I cleaned and blew out both clutches (I brake cleaned the snot out of the primary several times but not much came out). I noticed some rubber stuck to the primary about halfway up the sheave. Cleaned that off and replaced the belt. With the sled on a jackstand I open the throttle and watch the clutch engagement which it does fine but the belt only comes about halfway up the drive clutch while the driven seems to operate just fine. Also when I drive it, it takes off like mad but just isnt shifting up. I have checked for broken motor mounts (had that happen before) motor runs great, 150psi both sides.

So my questions are: Are there any telltale signs of internal clutch failure such as noise or anything?

If the clutch as to come off, is there a safe way to do it without a special tool?

I noticed while revving the engine up while on the stand that rpms topped out around 6500. Is that normal for this engine?

I can't seem to find much info on the single carb 462 but its gotta be around 65-70hp?? I feel this sled should be good for 130-140km/h on hardpack??

I know I'm asking alot of questions here, any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.

**smallengineguy** · 01-16-2013, 06:19 AM

The belt only coming halfway up means one of the two is binding as it tries to backshift. Is it the correct belt? The wrong size will prevent it from shifting properly. There is a clutch puller (looks like a bolt) that is specific to your sled.

**kccats** · 01-16-2013, 06:55 AM

Never use brake cleaner on the clutches! Scotch bright or sand paper!

whodamudafuca · 01-16-2013, 06:01 PM

Why no to brake cleaner? The article in the how to section says to use it and I have watched a couple youtube vids that say use brake cleaner??
As for the belt, good question, there was one on it and a spare in the holder, different make but same size. The one on it had a worn section where it looked like someone gave-er with the track frozen. So I swapped to the spare which looked great. I have ridden the sled with both belts and it does the same thing.
The secondary is free so I can open it by hand so its not binding, I think I have probably answered my own question, the primary isn't moving as far as it should to force the belt up the sheave all the way. Under no load on the stand, the belt should climb that clutch like a good thing. Something has to have it in a bind.

**smallengineguy** · 01-16-2013, 07:03 PM

I use brake cleaner all the time. Cleans well, no film left over. Are both belts the same number?

whodamudafuca · 01-16-2013, 08:48 PM

No, one is a bombardier and one is an off brand. Probably go buy a new one saturday and try before ripping anything apart.

whodamudafuca · 01-23-2013, 06:27 AM

So I got looking at the primary and stuck a screwdriver in the little hole and pried it over. Seemed stiff so I used a whole can of brake cleaner while working it back and forth. Shifts out much better know. I think it should come off and be polished up....after the snow melts! This sled has several issues but the motor is super so I think its worth the effort. Thanks for the help.