89 Safari Scout Restoration - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Corolla Sound · 12-30-2012, 01:02 PM

Hi. I am deciding if I should attempt to restore my dads (I guess its mine now, he doesn't use it) 89 Safari Scout. I dont think its in that bad of condition, its just had lack of maintenance, and when maintenance was done, it was done as cheap as possible.

So I guess there is nothing else to do other than share my pics of how it currently is sitting. Sorry for all the pics but helps to get a look of it:

Edit: I have more pics to share...Is there a section where users can post pics of there builds/restorations with unlimited pics per post?

Some things I know about it from what dad told me. He suspects there is probably water in the gas, the carb needs cleaning and it needs a new primer pump. But obviously there are many other issues such as messy wiring, rotting seat and feels like the shocks are blown in the rear.

Plus the skis are frozen in snow/ice/sand and the engine bay is filled with snow/ice and leaves.

My goal is to get it running asap for this winter and then do a restoration on it next summer when tools wont be so cold.

Hopefully I posted this thread in the right section (89 has to be vintage now in this day and age lol). Please let me know what you think and I am open to all suggestions, comments, complaints and tips. Thanks

bakon · 12-30-2012, 04:58 PM

I would see if the motor is seized and if not ....sure, it's worth restoring as it looks like it's all there. And a great way to learn is on a free sled.

Corolla Sound · 12-30-2012, 05:26 PM

Good idea, I dont think it would be seized yet, it was running last year. I may have to get a new pull start assembly before I start cranking it.

Thanks. I think I will restore it. I will go out and check out the mechanics of it tomorrow and see if it will pull over

**smallengineguy** · 12-30-2012, 05:31 PM

Completely drain the fuel system and clean the carb. There is a tutorial in the how-to's section of this forum. Get it running first, then worry about the little stuff.

Corolla Sound · 12-30-2012, 05:41 PM

Thanks, yea, I figured I would def have to drain fuel and clean the carb.

Does anyone know what the extra pipe is coming out of the engine leading into the exhaust? that isn't some kind of emissions thing is it?

**RJ Gleason** · 12-31-2012, 08:45 AM

Show a pic of that.

Corolla Sound · 12-31-2012, 10:14 AM

oops, i forgot, thought it was already posted but had to delete it because of the 5 posts thing:

and another question (im sure there is probably a how to DIY thread somewhere)..I want to sort of clean up my oil system and replace the lines and oil filter. Just looking for some advice on how to do so. First I know I need to clean all of the grime/grease off of the oil tank wiring plug so I can disconnect it. but my main concern is changing the oil filter. Maybe I should drain all of the oil first (could probably use it)?

bakon · 12-31-2012, 02:58 PM

If the oil jug wasn't left open and it looks reasonably clean, I really wouldn't touch it or the oil filter...save that for the summer tear down project. Once you disturb the jug, lines and filter, the oil pump will have to be primed. The less things disturbed, the less things will break.

For now, I would make a mark at the top of the oil jug where the oil level is and when you get it running you will know if the oil pump is working or not.

- Do the fuel lines, clean out the fuel tank, clean the carb as mentioned.
- Put a new fuel filter on.
- Free the sled from the ground.
- Take all the leaves and crap out of the motor area.
- Take the muffler off and make sure no mice nests are in it.
- Put new plugs in
- Duct tape the seat up for now

And try to start it.

**RJ Gleason** · 12-31-2012, 04:26 PM

That pipeline from the exhaust to the head is a preheater for the mag side head.
It was intended to help make the head temps more even on a fan cooled engine.
Was discontinued after only two years of use as unnecessary.

Corolla Sound · 12-31-2012, 06:10 PM

Thank you both of you. The oil tank looks clean and sealed, though I dont know what condition the oil is in?. You do make a good point on the less thing tampered with, the less problems.

and thats a good idea about marking the oil level on the tank to see if it drops.

The first thing I did was free the sled from the ground (using a heavy 1" thick iron bar, a hammer and an axe head for a chisel). Then im going to try to chip some more ice off and clean out all of the leaves so I can see what im working with. Then I will service the fuel lines and clean the carb.

and thanks for the info on that extra pipe. I have lots to learn....

I will continue to explore this forum but is there a thread, or even a webpage link to help me understand and learn all the parts of my snowmobile?

Corolla Sound · 12-31-2012, 06:32 PM

I picked up some extra fuel line today along with a new pull cord and a cheap siphoning kit to drain the old gas. Plus I bought some new gas for it and some new oil.

but as suggested above, I may see if I can avoid tinkering with the oil system.

The fuel line I purchased I think is the wrong size. I bought 1/8" line and 3/16" fuel line, when I think I need 1/4" line, but they didn't have any.

bakon · 12-31-2012, 07:26 PM

If you can remove the fuel tank to dump the bad gas out, it would be a lot easier than siphoning the gas out.

As for the fuel line...whatever the fuel filter size is, use the piping that matches. Inside diameter (I.D)

**RJ Gleason** · 01-01-2013, 05:17 AM

You might find this helpful too:
The World Famous Bull Sessions - Index

Corolla Sound · 01-03-2013, 10:21 PM

Thank you, looks like a great place/forum! I suppose I should share some more progress I have done. It was snowing out today so I didnt want to mess with the carb or airbox. But I thought I would make some room to work and remove the exhaust.

Darn locust trees, its gonna take forever to clean out all those leaves lol. Atleast now I can kind of see what im working with and I dont think its that big of a deal (as long as theres nothing causing resistance to something or getting in the way.

Then a peak inside the manifold:

and a look at the block:

Then the muffler off:

and a look inside where it connects to the manifold:

I used an air compressor and blew air through it and not much seemed to come out. It seems to be in good shape.

I also did end up siphoning out some gas (maybe a liter, im sure theres still more in but it was snowing and I was just getting more snow in the gas tank). Plus I removed the primer pump and part of the airbox (which was clogged).

Corolla Sound · 01-03-2013, 10:24 PM

The primer pump is very difficult to pump (i remeber it being much more smoother), plus my dad said he thinks it needs to be replaced? I brought it inside to warm up (along with the muffler and air intake)

Corolla Sound · 01-04-2013, 11:35 AM

oops, I thought I was in my build thread. Let me just move those pics lol

Corolla Sound · 01-04-2013, 11:44 AM

Thanks, I just got accepted to that forum now. I decided to remove the exhaust since it was easy and would give me more room.

I also used some compressed air to blast out any debris that would be in the exhaust but I dont think it would of completely removed any mouse or bee nests if there are any?

Corolla Sound · 01-04-2013, 11:51 AM

Then I removed the primer and part of the air intake. The primer is very difficult to pump. I brought it inside overnight and tried pumping it today and it seemed like dust was coming out when it pumped.

I also forgot to mention before I took the exhaust off, I siphoned out as much gas as possible. Then I started to remove the carburetor:

I should probably cover up the intake from the carb to the engine and cover up that throttle adjuster thing? Think it wold be ok if I just shoved some plastic wrap in the intake manifold hole and wrapped up the throttle thing. Then again, im probably going to clean them anyway, plus the hood is shut

Corolla Sound · 01-04-2013, 11:55 AM

Heres the carb inside now drying out:

Time to drain out all that excess fuel....

Well that was easy, no fuel to clean up, instead, I get this lol. Im going into to look at some car cleaner now

**RJ Gleason** · 01-04-2013, 04:07 PM

Take a short length of small chain and attach it to a short cross bar.
Hang the chain inside the pipe and shake it around, that will loosen anything that is still in there.