Help Wanted! 1973 Arctic Cat Cheetah 440 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Moto Man26 · 09-18-2009, 01:04 AM

Hi everyone! I just got my first snowmobile ever! And it's a 1973 arctic cat cheetah 440... It's in fair condition , but still needs a bit of TLC... I plan to give it a good refresh(big tune up) I hope some people will be able to answer my questions, because I seem to have alot...

*So to start off with, I checked my motor and it's a kawasaki 440 fan cool. It runs great when started, but is impossible to start when cold. I checked the compression, and it's perfect. I think that it might be the carb(walbro carb)... Because the sled sat for 2 years, so the diaphragms probably dried up, and the gas can't get sucked to the carb... If so, where may I be able to find rebuild kits for this?

*Also another thing that I found out while checking the primary clutch, is that there is a good amount of play with it. I grab it with my hands, and can shake it back and forth, and side to side. I was told back and forth is ok, but not side to side. Is that true? What can be causing this? And what must i do to fix this?

*Another thing is the chain case. What do I put in it??? I got so many different answers for this one... I was told to put grease, 20w50 motor oil... I checked on the case cover and it has a oil fill cap and oil level check cap..?

*Also I'm pretty clueless about which parts what to grease/lube.. May anyone please tell me the important parts and all the other ones...

* Does anyone know any good places to buy parts from?

* Also if anyone has a manual for this sled in a pdf. format or can scan me some pages of theirs, it will be greatly appreciated... !

* Also if anyone has any other bit of info about this sled, or any part interchangeability with other one, I'm ready to hear about it...

Thanks alot for your help and time!!

**smallengineguy** · 09-18-2009, 07:24 AM

DennisKirk.com - Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, ATV, Dirt Bike, Snowmobile, PWC / Watercraft Parts, Apparel, and Accessories has most of the stuff you'll need. Most of the older chaincases took gear oil or motor oil. Grease the rear suspension (look for grease fittings) and the steering system as well. You may have a worn bushing in the clutch. The only way to find out is to remove it.

Moto Man26 · 09-18-2009, 10:46 PM

Hey thanks for the reply! How do I remove the clutch? I see a big bolt head in it's center... Do I just unscrew this and the clutch will slide off? Thx!

**smallengineguy** · 09-19-2009, 07:22 AM

You need a puller designed for your year/model sled. Some repair shops will just let you borrow it. If not, they are like $15 to buy.

**RJ Gleason** · 09-19-2009, 02:34 PM

Does the clutch look like this?

Moto Man26 · 09-19-2009, 05:09 PM

Yes my clutch looks exactly the same! Do have the same clutch as me? Also where may I find a puller for my clutch?? Is the clutch press fit onto the crankshaft? Thanks!

**RJ Gleason** · 09-19-2009, 05:58 PM

Yes, this one is a like new rebuilt one for a 440.
The puller for that is available at Dennis Kirk for about $29.

Moto Man26 · 09-20-2009, 12:17 AM

Alright! thanks alot! I found the puller for my clutch at dennis kirk... So if I understand well the principle of this tool, I have to unscrew the big bolt in the middle of my clutch and insert the puller in that hole... By the way, I have inspected the clutch on my sled, besides the play I have... I've found a small crack in the front... So I guess I will have to find another one

...

**RJ Gleason** · 09-20-2009, 05:42 AM

The one that I posted is available if you want to stay OEM for the shows.

Moto Man26 · 09-20-2009, 12:42 PM

Hey RJ I sent a pm to you .... Also I've been checking clutches and found comet clutches, they seem to be the only ones to make some for my sled... While checking them out, most of them say uncalibrated , what does this mean? Also can someone please explain to me what is the difference between a oem clutch and a comet clutch. What are the advantages? Thanks!

Polaris87 · 09-20-2009, 04:58 PM

A comet clutch would be the way to go in this case I would think. You could buy a second hand clutch but theres a good chance it could be worn the same way yours is. I had a 500 spirit engine with the Cat Hex clutch on it the same as yours and it was worn out the same as you are describing. These clutches weren't built to last years....The spider is only held in place by 3 set screws and the set screws wear grooves in the shaft of the clutch and this is what causes the play in and out. I think a Comet clutch would be a good replacement for its a better made clutch compared to the hex style Cat came out with.

Calibrated means "ready to fit on your machine." The clutch comes complete with weights and spring. I think uncalibrated is more for the guys that want to go with different weights and spring or they already have weights and a spring to fit and can save a little money. If you buy a clutch calibrated for your machine it's ready to bolt on the minute you receive it.

Moto Man26 · 09-20-2009, 08:07 PM

Hey thanks alot polaris87 for that helpful info...! The only clutch I found for my sled up to now is at dennis kirk and it's a Comet 94-C Clutch Kit, and it's kinda pricey for me... What do you think about this clutch? Is it any good or is it junk? I spoke to some people, and they told me that you can play with the weights and springs inside the clutch to win some torque or top speed.... Is that how you do it? Thanks!

**RJ Gleason** · 09-20-2009, 10:00 PM

The 94 is a good replacement for any of the older clutches, it is highly tunable for any engine and performance requirement.

Moto Man26 · 09-20-2009, 11:35 PM

Alright thanks!

Moto Man26 · 09-26-2009, 08:04 PM

Hey everyone!! I would like to adjust / tune my carb (walbro) on my sled... But I don't really know what screw is for what... The only adjustment screws that are on the carb, are two screws on the top of the carb side by side. There is a big one in front, and a smaller one behind the big one... May some one please clear this up for me ( I need to know how many turns they need, and what function do each screw have)... Thanks alot!

**RJ Gleason** · 09-27-2009, 12:37 PM

The front one is the low speed jet and the back one is the high speed jet.
Start with both at 1 1/2 turns out.

Moto Man26 · 09-27-2009, 07:37 PM

Alright thanks for the info RJ! But aren't low speed and high speed screws on diaphragm carbs? Mine is a diaphragm fuel pump on top, and on the bottom is a float bowl.... It's Kind of a special design... Do I adjust my carb like the diaphragm carbs that are on chainsaws, weed-eaters etc... If so, there will be no problem, I have some experience with those kind of carbs... Thanks again!

**RJ Gleason** · 09-28-2009, 08:53 AM

OK, that's a Wahlbro Float carb.
I'll have to look up the settings for that, but starting at the ones that I already gave you should get it running.

Moto Man26 · 09-28-2009, 04:45 PM

ok thanks!

articcatbill · 09-30-2009, 12:25 PM

Moto Man, you mention that your machine is a '73, was that the manufacture date? If so then it is a 74 model year. They built them in the summer to sell for the next season, so a 73 mfg date is really a '74 model. I asked because I think that they first used the walbro float carb in '74 model year.

Here are a couple links to previous threads that you may find helpful.

http://www.snowmobileforum.com/vinta...t-wf-carb.html

http://www.snowmobileforum.com/vinta...questions.html

I hope you find them helpful, there are some diagrams in there that might help also.

BTW I have 2 '74 cheetah 440's I love them :-) I just added an electric start to one this weekend.....