spinandsmoke

Hello snowmobile fanatics, it might be a little early to talk snow but I just bought a 97 rmk with a fuji engine, it a little rough around the edges but for $800.00 I couldnt resist, it runs great and most everything is stock except for the exhaust can that goes straight down and a new clutch, there is a mirror style plate that says indy in front of the handlebars and a emblem below the headlight that reads polaris 35 years, does anybody know if there are any quirks or advice for this sled? Thanks

BC_Dan

If it's a stock 700, it's got a US (Liberty) engine in it. The Fuji engine in the RMK that year was an XLT 600. (Polaris didn't call the engine a "Liberty" until later years)

Here's a web site for specs for Polaris sleds

Find the ATV Polaris part or Polaris snowmobile part you need, new ,used, OEM, aftermarket and performance parts, Polaris ATV Forums

The 97 700 had great power, and for the year, a long track (136"). It became one of the better mountain climbers for the era. The Xtra-10 suspension was a lot better than the earlier suspensions. The engine has Kiehen carbs, which had an issue with low speed burbling that can be solved with the addition of a boost bottle and SLP's "Power Packs". Kiehen's are not rebuildable, when they start showing wear, there's not much you can do but replace 'em. If you go to a "rack" style Mikuni system, you will find some problems with the steering colum interfering with the mag side carb water trap hose and fitting.

Polaris - SLP Power Pack for Keihin 39mm D-Slide Carbs - Starting Line Products

The cylinders are the "220" cylinders, which flow a bit more air than the later model "824" cylinders. The 220 engines make a bit more power, but because of the shape and design of the porting, port bridges in the 220 castings are more prone to cracking and breaking, especially across the port bridges. (the 220 and 824 numbers are the last three numbers of the Polaris part for the cylinder, and are cast into the cylinder)

One other quirk in the engine is the oiler; check the belt width for the drive belt for the water pump (it's under the recoil housing). When the belt fails, the water pump and the oil pump both stop working. The oil pump has 3 outlets, one to each side of the crankshaft, the third goes to the fuel pump, so you are always "behind" with oil delivery as the oil is introduced into the fuel pump instead of the carbs. If you go to a mikuni system, going to a 4-outlet pump from a later sled will solve that issue, as the Mikuni carbs have oil injection ports on them.

Compared to the new sleds, it rides like a tank and is heavy, but very dependable and goes where you point it. I regeared mine from stock to 20/40, added a set of PSI twins, and the Mikuni rack carbs, and it ran like a scalded dog! For the price you paid, you got a deal, have fun with it! Congrats on your purchase!

__________________
Rebuilding the fleet!
2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 98 Indy 440, 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650

RIP, destroyed by fire 1-22-2008
04 RMK 800, 05 RMK 600, 02 RMK 800, 97 RMK 700

Skligmund

My bet is it is a 1996 Polaris Indy Ultra RMK.

The only Fuji 700 was the Ultra 697 for the years surrounding 1997.

If this is so, keep up with the maintenance on the engine. I guess the Ultra was a helluva maintenance hog. best bet is to get the maintenance manual for it as well, as I found most things on the Ultras are a little different compared to everything else.

The 35th Anniversary emblem on the hood is from 1989 I might add.

Post pictures of the sled and the engine in the gallery!

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1997 Polaris Indy 700 RMK - Twin SLP pipes, EGT gauges -- "Fukengruven"
1997 Polaris Indy Trail RMK 488 - Stock -- "Yard Sale"
1980 Polaris TX-L 340 - Stock

spinandsmoke

Thanks for the detailed info. I am pretty sure it is a 700 Liberty or Fuji? on top of the two cylinders it says made in USA and the casting # on the bottom of cyl,s reads 5131220, the newer engines read 600,700,800 etc. on top. I will see if I can get some shots posted. I think the ultra engine was a tripple and a gas guzzling can of worms, as far as the hood now I am really confused, it looks to be original with 4 rubber stretch holddowns, this sled might be the first 97 rmk batch made.

BC_Dan

If it's a 700 and a twin, it's a US engine. The 220 number I referred to is the last 3 digits of the casting number 5131220. The original US (Liberty) 700 had a purple head and did not say Liberty. The Ultra was definitely a triple made by Fuji.

__________________
Rebuilding the fleet!
2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 98 Indy 440, 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650

RIP, destroyed by fire 1-22-2008
04 RMK 800, 05 RMK 600, 02 RMK 800, 97 RMK 700

Skligmund

Yup, same sled I have. First edition of the 700 RMK.

Get a photo of the hood for sure.

__________________


1997 Polaris Indy 700 RMK - Twin SLP pipes, EGT gauges -- "Fukengruven"
1997 Polaris Indy Trail RMK 488 - Stock -- "Yard Sale"
1980 Polaris TX-L 340 - Stock

spinandsmoke

Ok guys here are the pics, I dont know if these were the original decals from the factory but I,m sure this thing can haul a** up the mountain and only make one trip,polaris knew what they were doing in 97 if your going to haul some weight you had better have some horsepower, when people asked for a double and "SUPERSIZE IT" Polaris delivered!! to bad the triple was such a pig, now if only they had a muff pot that could hold a big mac with a side of fries!!
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Skligmund

Yup, 700 RMK.

The hood is an older hood. he probably rolled it and destroyed the original, got an older one for cheap, painted and installed it.

The shiney tag near the gauges is a custom thing. I think I saw some on eBay once.

If you want to have more power, you can always throw some SLP twin pipes on the bugger. Lots of tuning and careful attention to mixtures and you can get some real power out of those motors.

I ended up putting EGT's on mine. Found the hot spot and it hasn't blown up since...

This is mine:

Original hood


Twin SLP pipes

__________________


1997 Polaris Indy 700 RMK - Twin SLP pipes, EGT gauges -- "Fukengruven"
1997 Polaris Indy Trail RMK 488 - Stock -- "Yard Sale"
1980 Polaris TX-L 340 - Stock

spinandsmoke

Very nice shots Sklig! now I know what a new 97 model is supposed to look like, can I borrow it and let my girlfrind ride it? she only weighs 300 lbs, she could use the extra horsepower!!.....I now have two sleds one 98 700 rmk and this 97 700 rmk,

I had so much fun last winter with the 98 I had to get another one and share, its really not that expensive, I would rather have two or three older sleds then one newer one, it will just be more maintenance until the quirks are worked out, as long as no one flies off a cliff with a bottle of Jack it should be fun!

BTW your garage is much more clean and organized then mine.

Work2Ride

Whats an EGT?

PolarisGuy85

EGT is exhaust gas temperature like skligmund said great for finding hot spots

PolarisGuy85

by the way thats a sweet sled sklig i hope my 89 indy looks that good when im done with it

Work2Ride

Ya no kiddin, thats the Definition of Mint!

EGR hmm.. Mine has an aftermarket exhaust, im not sure what brand, and theres a Exhaust Temperature Gauge between the speed-o-meter and the Rpm Gauge. Is that the same thing as an EGR or totally different?

PolarisGuy85

no where near egr is exhaust gas recycling its a valve on car and truck engines

Skligmund

Yeah, I like it a lot.

__________________


1997 Polaris Indy 700 RMK - Twin SLP pipes, EGT gauges -- "Fukengruven"
1997 Polaris Indy Trail RMK 488 - Stock -- "Yard Sale"
1980 Polaris TX-L 340 - Stock

Work2Ride

How does she handle on the mountains? Im deciding between a 1997 700 Rmk $2,500, or a 2004 800 RMK for $6000..

Skligmund

Well, because i am used to the wedge style chassis, I think it handles like a dream, but I know the 2004 800 is a more capable machine. For 3,500 dollars worth of more capable? I don't know about that.

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1997 Polaris Indy 700 RMK - Twin SLP pipes, EGT gauges -- "Fukengruven"
1997 Polaris Indy Trail RMK 488 - Stock -- "Yard Sale"
1980 Polaris TX-L 340 - Stock

Kilroy

Noob here, but how much do a pair of Mikuni rack carbs and SLP's cost for a '99 700 RMK??? I have purchased a really nice one for $2200 for my wife. It is really clean with 3200 miles on it. I'm Air Force here in Oregon, and just moved from Elmendorf a few years ago... Wavin' the hand at ya Sklig... Family still lives up your way and dad has a cabin north of "slowdotna" in Sterling! I believe it's just up the road from your place.

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__________________
'04 700RMK Vertical Edge 144"
'99 700RMK - '06 Sportsman 700EFI

No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country. " ~ George S. Patton

Skligmund

Hehehe, slowdotna. Then the kenazis. I'm from Kenai (south side of river) myself. :P

As for Mikuni carbs for the 700, I have no idea. I have another pair of Keihns in a box somewhere though...

Have another sey of SLP's for the old chassis too (no flanges od collector though), but I have no idea how or even if they would fit.

__________________


1997 Polaris Indy 700 RMK - Twin SLP pipes, EGT gauges -- "Fukengruven"
1997 Polaris Indy Trail RMK 488 - Stock -- "Yard Sale"
1980 Polaris TX-L 340 - Stock