1997 SPX Restore - Reluctantly

[etemplet]

I went to put the ski on the trailer and I did some checking... of course the bearings were bad and it needed some bunk work but the ski is on the trailer. The Miller Engine is on the bench. I don't expect to have any issues but we'll see. Gotta rebuild the Buck Shot Carbs and determine how to connect the Factory Pipe and solenoids. That will take some research.

 

[JuliusCaesar]

Love the aftermarket. What pilots and mains and seats with the F/A?

 

[etemplet]

Love the aftermarket. What pilots and mains and seats with the F/A?

No clue yet as I haven't disassembled the carbs. I am a bit curious myself and I'll post one what I find. I'm assuming the ski was set up well to run with the factory pipe and other components so I should be close. I'm cleaning the bilge one last time before I start putting everything back in.

 

[JuliusCaesar]

No clue yet as I haven't disassembled the carbs. I am a bit curious myself and I'll post one what I find. I'm assuming the ski was set up well to run with the factory pipe and other components so I should be close. I'm cleaning the bilge one last time before I start putting everything back in.

Reason I ask is I have a 1997 arctic cat Daytona 770 that has a lot of go fast parts (head reeds and F/A and nozzle) and I can’t seem to get the carbs tuned properly with the ocean pro F/A and carb choke plates removed

 

[etemplet]

Reason I ask is I have a 1997 arctic cat Daytona 770 that has a lot of go fast parts (head reeds and F/A and nozzle) and I can’t seem to get the carbs tuned properly with the ocean pro F/A and carb choke plates removed

Maybe check on the "Performance" 2- stroke forum. Us old 2-stroke guys are dwindling.

Are you having trouble "up top" or down low? Did you check for a vacuum leak on the crank seals?

 

[etemplet]

Doesn't look like much but has come a long way. Top hull isn't painted just partially prepped. Engine, exhaust, and big parts are going in before it is painted. I've had some experience of things getting scuffed up doing the installs.

On a side note... for me.... I hate trailers. They are all in pitiful shape, need bearings, bunks, wiring, lights, jacks, tires, and they don't look any different when all of that is done. LOL They cost too much money to get in shape and always at the loss of $$ and time when selling a jet ski. This little trailer is heavy duty and much more than needed for this 600 pound ski. I use 6 ply tires minimum but it is easy to spend $200 and a day and a half doing a trailer refurb. I factor that in on the price of the skis be it just never seems worth it. I do need to figure out some fenders for this one. Looks like they used a piece of a plastic barrel. This trailer will likely stay with me as it is all spot on.

 

[burtshaver2021]

Where do you buy your trailer bearings from? I’ve been getting mine from rock auto, I purchased 6 of the Timken Set 14 bearing/race for 11.07 each CDN. They wanted 23.59 a set at the local Napa. Ski is coming along nicely, The upper hull looks really good considering you haven’t painted it yet , some type of primer?

 

[etemplet]

Where do you buy your trailer bearings from? I’ve been getting mine from rock auto, I purchased 6 of the Timken Set 14 bearing/race for 11.07 each CDN. They wanted 23.59 a set at the local Napa. Ski is coming along nicely, The upper hull looks really good considering you haven’t painted it yet , some type of primer?

Upper hull is sanded with a 320 grit dual action sander. It looks good from a distance because the color is more uniform. There were lots of uneven surfaces under the graphics that I figured I'd sand smooth.

I just get my trailer bearings from O'Reilly's Auto when I need them. I saw bearings on Amazon and can get twice the amount for the same money. Unfortunately the trailer bearing spindles aren't all the same. Sure is nice hooking onto a trailer you don't have to worry about.

 

[Billpro785]

Was thinking of getting a X4 SPX 785, as they called here in Thailand. Looks like a fun ski.

 

[etemplet]

Was thinking of getting a X4 SPX 785, as they called here in Thailand. Looks like a fun ski.

I had a 96' XP which had the 787 engine. It ran about 57mph. Plenty of power. This ski is likely the same thing pretty much. I just happen to have all these high performance parts just sitting around. I'm gonna build it only because "it deserves to be built." Otherwise it's just junk parts.

I can tell you the XP 787 is like riding a dirt bike. You can get arm pump from hanging on. LOL

 

[etemplet]

Dug out the parts box and putting it together. It's dirty but I'm getting the engine ready for install. Cleaning, checking, tapping out the holes, rotary valve installed. I'll make it look nice. I'm not dropping it in until the pipes are cleaned and painted and it's all ready to go.

Poor engine has been waiting to go Vroom for quite a while !!

 

[mikidymac]

I hope you are putting new gaskets and seals on that beast?

I also think that head is on upside down. That top fitting should be to bleed air out of the head. I really wish Matt B was still around....

 

[etemplet]

It does have some weird plumbing. This will be an adventure for sure.

 

[mikidymac]

I think Perry Performance Group and PWC Magic are still in business. They would be worth calling for plumbing and setup advise.

 

[etemplet]

OK, I'm going back to work on this "bomb." I tried ordering worx sponsons but that didn't work out so I'm going back with stock. The engine is ready for install. Summer is coming.

 

[racerxxx]

OK, I'm going back to work on this "bomb." I tried ordering worx sponsons but that didn't work out so I'm going back with stock. The engine is ready for install. Summer is coming.

If you're looking for sponsons let me now. I still make them. I can have the machine shop make a set. Obviously not at the 2015 prices I had listed in the post. The ones I make now are a matte black finish. Brand new X4 sponsons for sale

 

[etemplet]

I decided not to do aftermarket sponsons. I'd have had this ski way further a long had I not tried to get a set of WORX which was a big delay but... C'est Lavie. What a miserable job reinstalling the sponsons... that was painful. Glad I waited to install the engine. I'll be prepping the engine and getting it ready to install. Aftermarket parts to figure out and I think I'll reinstall the oil pump. Cleaning up and getting it ready.

Top is not painted just very close to ready for paint. After I get the engine installed and most of the parts in I'll paint it. Pretty sure I'm going white.

 

[etemplet]

Here We go... I decided to go with the Buckshot Carbs, after talking to my "race guru" source. That means I leave off the oil pump, and no chokes on the carbs. They I have to look at the fuel pump and such. I checked the inside of the carbs and they look really good. Also the carbs have been modified to use Mikuni Needles which is very cool. Probably need to install a primer system. Advice is appreciated from any race guys or those familiar with this set up.

Also getting the exhaust system ready. That will be interesting with the factory pipe and all the gadgets that go with it. Finding the parts is often a challenge as I've had them for 5 years or so. I'm really just trying to clean off my work table. The engine has been there for serveral months.

I have the engine ready to install and after some exhaust system prep I'll be ready.

 

[mikidymac]

All the primers are junk today but necessary in your application.
The safe way to install them is to run the return fuel line high in the hull then a dip to the bottom of the hull then back up to the top and to the tank. At the bottom of the dip you install the primer supply tee that way it will have a source of fuel.
The problem is people install them in the supply line and when not if they fail they pull air into the supply line, lean out the carbs and seize engines.

 

[shamrock246]

What paint are you using?

 

[etemplet]

What paint are you using?

On the engine and pipe? Rustoleum Gloss Black at the moment. Parts don't get hot enough to bother the paint. I do a lot of prep . I'm done with the exahust system and rear engine mount bracket. I just have to paint the water box. I use the same paint on the painted carbs when I rebuild them. Kyrlon used to be my favorite but the local Home Depot and Lowe's don't carry it. Rustoleum more prone to running but it holds up very very well. I have skis 5 years old that still look good inside. It's all in the prep and care.

 

[etemplet]

Don't mind the SBT starter as that was already on the engine and it looks OK. I'll have to test it or perhaps remove it and open it up to have a look inside. Most of my starters are built OEM but you have to seal them really well to keep them reliable. On a side note I find the Premium version of SBT starters to work very well and that is my preference if I have to go new.

Edit: The SBT starter is the "High Torque" model so I'm gonna leave it in place. Probably doesn't have many starts on it. LOL Low time engine.

 

[etemplet]

A little closer to installation. Painting complete.

 

[etemplet]

Love the aftermarket. What pilots and mains and seats with the F/A?

I'm just getting around to that. The mains are 155 and the carb has been set up to use Mikuni seats so adjustment won't be too bad. Should be spot on... I'm hoping.

 

[etemplet]

I read the Buckshots are difficult to tune but I guess that depends on the tuner. LOL They should be set up for the aftermarket parts already. Got a 155 main. I didn't check the low speed. I'm I'm gonna see what I can do to connect the oil pump cable to the Buckshot carbs. I got lots of parts and a few sets of good carbs for the 787.

Gonna be nice to get all these parts off the floor and table and back into the ski.