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DEREK HUBBARD
New member
Username: Justmax
Post Number: 3
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 24.166.114.118
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 10:07 am: | |
I just purchase an amphicat. I own a Max 2 with JLO 400 , that I am rebuilding the motor now and was thinking the amphicat would be a nice fixer upper for my wife. The body and tires are junk ,but the trans and frame are pretty good shape.Also there is no motor.I was disappointed in the size of the axles. They are really small compared the Max's axles. I have a list of questions to ask. From going through this great web, site good amphicat bodies are rare.I am still searching the board to see if anybody has replaced amphicat axles with heavier axles (like off an old Max 2).Next question, can you use the transmission in another machine (and is it strong to do so?)? If I can't sell it for what I got into it, then I will remove the body, add a cheap 9 hp motor and bolt on a snow plow for winter use. |
david berger
Advanced Member
Username: Davidrrrd
Post Number: 139
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 172.147.125.32
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 10:51 am: | |
the thin axels are very hard,
the bodes are repairable,
how bad is yours, many people have fixed there cats with my ABS repair kit's,
the tranys wont do winter plowing,
i have Too have wondered if the axels could be upgraded, you need to make new outer seal or plate and a new drive tube that fits over your new axels but between your bearings insted of in them, in this way you can use up to full bearing inside bore for your new axels, this would mimic max system somewhat. |
DEREK HUBBARD
New member
Username: Justmax
Post Number: 4
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 24.166.114.118
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 11:38 am: | |
Dear Mr Berger:
The body is in very poor shape. There are holes and cracks everywhere. The right side is damaged beyond repair, but still has the basic shape intact. I was thinking about using the body as mold for a plywood replacement. Using thick plywood for the tub and thinner plywood for the top. The Max is first on the rebuild list with the cat next.Oh by the way, do you have any info on the trans.It is the big one almost the same size as the T-20.
Thank You |
david berger
Advanced Member
Username: Davidrrrd
Post Number: 141
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 172.147.125.32
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 12:11 pm: | |
if i had a doller for every time my friend dory treed her cat i could pay some bills,
we had too hold her body into shape a few times with pieces of plywood and sheetrock screws!
while it was held in shape we fixed the cracks and filled the gaps and holes with the ABS repair stuff,
we built it up thick on pasenger side frount edge because it was broken on the edge from bottom of hull all the way up to where the body overhangs the tires where the crack when twards the lights and then up to the lipp on lowerhull leading edge, this repair servived the next crash, it broke 2 inhes ferther from the part repaired becaus the repair was so strong!
a single kit can pach a 1 foot hole!
as long as you have the whole body and it's in a shape i cant see why it cant be repaired, i even made 1/2 her engine cover by laying the shape out with duct tape and painting the ABS plastic on the tape, when dryed it neede more coats but was strong enoph that she let her kids ride on the engine cover like it was some sort of back seat or something |
Philip Croff
Junior Member
Username: F14crazy
Post Number: 18
Registered: 05-2005
Posted From: 24.56.201.68
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 10:49 pm: | |
I don't think the Amphicat axles need to be modified. They came with hardened solid axles instead of hollow ones.
My stock Sachs 277cc 2 stroke is being replaced by a used Honda GX390, 13hp industrial grade motor I picked up off ebay. Sachs was in good shape but we've had trouble with it running well, consistantly. And it's loud, rough, smoky, etc. The Honda was $228 and won't need work like ever. Because it's a Honda. |
Jeff Schuster (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 206.145.171.248
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 10:35 am: | |
Philip -
I have a Terra Tiger that I'm planning to do the exact same engine swap with. The 13hp Hondas have a great reputation, and the price is right. I am very anxious to see how you like yours once the job is done, and what modifications you need to make to the engine to make it work for this application. A throttle return spring is one obvious one, but I'm curious to see how the carb jetting handles running a 6x6. If you are willing, I'd love it if you'd post some results for those of us looking to follow the same path that you're going down!
Thanks!
Jeff
speedy64@mainstreetcom.com
http://jeffs-garage.tripod.com/ |
Jerry Bryant
New member
Username: Mallard_one
Post Number: 2
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 63.165.59.54
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 06:11 pm: | |
Mr.Croff: I would also be interested in how well this change out went. I have a Terra Tiger also and can not get the JLO running. I am seriously considering a purchase and swap out to the Honda engine. I would be interested in knowing if existing electronics are compatible with the Honda, or does the Honda have it‘s own electronics. |
Philip Croff
Member
Username: F14crazy
Post Number: 26
Registered: 05-2005
Posted From: 24.56.201.68
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 08:10 pm: | |
I'll post some photos of the swap. I got the Sachs out earlier.
We had to rig up the throttle cable when I "restored" the Amphicat. The original wasn't moving well at all. I went to the ATV/sled/motorcycle salvage and found the longest cable I could find (which was still shorter but worked fine) and we were able to get it working decently. We'll have to do the same for the Honda but I don't think it'll be a problem.
I took apart the carb of the Honda today and cleaned it out. When we tested the motor it wasn't idling very well (wouldn't idle without some choke). One of the jets (I guess the idle jet) was gummed up. So I've got all that fixed. I suppose its been sitting for a while since the box it came in smelled of stale gas (ew)
This particular Honda 13 hp motor (GX390-va2) does not have electric start or a generator. I don't know if it can be added but other variants of this motor do have electric start and a small generator/alternator/stator/whatever. I'm 17 and don't mind pulling a motor over, and Hondas usually start really quick due to good compression release and they usually start within 3 pulls (we bought a brand new power washer with a "premium residential" Honda, and it started on THE FIRST PULL).
Northern Tool lists my GX390-va2 at $709.99. The electric start one with a 10 amp alternator is $799.99. If I had the choice I would have paid for the electric start.
I might be able to add e/s to this motor. I'll ask my Honda dealer when I go and pickup a new air filter tomorrow. I would have paid the extra for e/s but it's okay.
At least for now I can just run the lights with a battery of some sort (like our portable jump starter)
Honestly, I wouldn't mess with a BS or most anything else except a Honda (unless it was like a Yanmar or Kubota diesel ). Hondas are awesome motors and last for about ever. This is an industrial grade motor anyway. My dad has a friend in the used car business and he often gets Honda cars with well over 200k miles that start/run/drive perfectly, and like EVERYTHING in the car is still tight. The doors aren't loose, the seats show like no wear at all, etc. In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, Honda was one of the brands that brought us good dirtbikes and ATVs. Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha make great machines (though back in the day, their 3 and 4 wheelers did away with most of the market for AATVs). I'd be just as pleased with putting in a Kawasaki motor, and would be with a Yamaha (though they don't make small engines like this)
I'd much rather have a comparable Honda than a Harley
Anyway, the electronics on my Honda are all on the motor. About the only thing I need to do is run wiring for a kill switch on the dash. The ignition, low oil sensor, and all that is on board. I don't think it would be hard at all to set up a GX390 with e/s: all you'd have to do is run wiring or connect it to your existing system.
I'm sure your Terra Tiger(s) would be more enjoyable with a motor swap also. It'll be a lot smoother running, quieter, more reliable, and won't foul plugs. And if you ever need work on it, it's pretty modern and parts/service will be easy to find.
Get a Northern Tool catalog or check their website (northerntool.com) and check out their vast selection of Honda engines. I didn't know it before but Honda also makes bigger V twin motors (like in the 20hp range) if you have a bigger machine. I think the Terra Tiger had like a 10 or 12 hp JLO. I don't know if you can get away with going with like an 8/9 hp Honda. 4 strokes do make more torque though.
Have fun |
Eddie Beddingfield (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 207.117.33.134
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 07:36 am: | |
Dont forget you have to change your clutch also, If you dont have one already it can be a big expense 300.00 for new depending what you get. Also make sure the crankshaft diameter and length is correct for the clutch.Other than these big items,just mounts,cables etc.and you should have most of the expense. |
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Restoration of older ATV's