Restoration of #378

[Winter Thunder]

Ive had the sled 5 years now sense I pulled it out of a barm and couldnt stand seeing it collecting dust any longer.  It is number 378 out of the 601 produced.  I will be doing a ground up resto on this one.  The interceptor is my all time favorite sled so I want to do this one right and cut no corners.  I got a better hood with good fiberglass and a repop seat cover sitting on it in these pics.  Disassembly will start soon.

[jimvw57]

Good grief!! put those Polaris sleds aside and get to work!!

[Winter Thunder]

Started disassembly and got the sand blaster warmed up tonight.  All metal parts will be going to powdercoat.

[Winter Thunder]

Radiator was cleaned out and re painted.

[Interceptor398]

Cripps man , did you run out of other jobs???

[Winter Thunder]

All other sled projects are put off tell this is done.  Bout time I got to the best sled in the collection.

[jimvw57]

lookin good!!

[kawhead]

best is right!i have 387 and love her.....over 6k miles, thats tough!!

[Winter Thunder]

Picked up a nice original hood today.

[Winter Thunder]

Back at it. 

Rounded up a nice original seat.



Got lucky on the belly pan.  No cracks or holes.  Just needs a good cleaning and buffing.



Didn't get so lucky with the engine.  Clutch was seized on so hard I ruined the clutch puller trying to get it off and stripped out the threads on the clutch.  Ended up cutting it off.



Once I got into the engine I discovered it had an internal coolant leak and ruined the pistons and cylinder walls.  Sent them out to Image Enterprises to get nikasiled and new pistons.



Got a set of skis all powder coated and trady to go.

[Dandb7]

Nice to see another 550 getting back to life....these rare sleds are truly awesome and when they're dialed in right, are even more awesome to ride !!

Keep up the good work and send us more pics as you go.....

Cheers !

[Winter Thunder]

Alittle more progress tonight separating the bulkhead and tunnel

[Interceptor398]

You got the clutch off!!

[Winter Thunder]

Top end is done.  Cylinders nikasil plated, new rings, Pistons, and wrist pins.

[Interceptor398]

Nice!!  On the piston, did they move the ring end gap locating pin and where does the side hole line up??