32 replies to this topic

[wilberj]

Been looking for a small bolens sled for last 3 years finlly found one 30 mins from the house.

She needs some work but I think she will make a good fixer uper. 

 

 

Looks alot nicer now then when we picked it up we stoped at the carwash to give her a bath.

 

 

 

 

[Bolens 1000]

Not a bad looker!

I think most brands during this time period used similar style seats that should bolt on???

If you don't have any snow you can send it here and I'll be more than glad to try it for you

[bread320i]

You can always grass drag in the summer

[Kfs35]

Cool!

What kind of engines are in those?

[wilberj]

Cool!

What kind of engines are in those?

 

 

This one has a Bolens engine in it.

[LPBolens]

Kewl!

[Mike Unwin]

Are you sure about it being a Bolens engine ? Back about that time it probably was a 2 stroke could it be a JLO ? Maybe a 1970s vintage ? Like to see more old tractor / type sleds in the fall near where I live there was a Ski Whiz by Massey Ferguson. A neighbor here had a John Deere machine so much variety back then,my brother inlaw has a heavy duty sewing machine and used to recover the old seats. Cheers Mike 

[wilberj]

Are you sure about it being a Bolens engine ? Back about that time it probably was a 2 stroke could it be a JLO ? Maybe a 1970s vintage ? Like to see more old tractor / type sleds in the fall near where I live there was a Ski Whiz by Massey Ferguson. A neighbor here had a John Deere machine so much variety back then,my brother inlaw has a heavy duty sewing machine and used to recover the old seats. Cheers Mike 

 

 

Paper work said Bolens engine.  I look again at the engine itself.

[bread320i]

This one has a Bolens engine in it.

 

Bolens Sprints have either Gutbord or Kiekhaefer engines.

Bolens never made an engine of there own.

I have seen and heard of original literature that claims "Bolens engines" but sadly that is not true.

[bread320i]

Paper work said Bolens engine.  I look again at the engine itself.

292's and 340's are Gutbord and 440's are Kiekhaefer

 

On the back side of the recoil you should see a Gutbord engine tag.

Do your spark plug wires say Germany on them?

[Bolens 1000]

Paper work said Bolens engine.  I look again at the engine itself.

 

I think yours should be a Gutbrod.

 

Looking back through my stuff the Bolens Branded Engines were either Gutbrod or Kiekhaefer

Your sled should be a 1971 according to what I have

[Bolens 1000]

Are you sure about it being a Bolens engine ? Back about that time it probably was a 2 stroke could it be a JLO ? Maybe a 1970s vintage ? Like to see more old tractor / type sleds in the fall near where I live there was a Ski Whiz by Massey Ferguson. A neighbor here had a John Deere machine so much variety back then,my brother inlaw has a heavy duty sewing machine and used to recover the old seats. Cheers Mike 

 

The Sprints used Gutbrod,Kiekhaefer,JLO & Kohler Engines

The sprints were made 1969-1971 (According to my Sprint literature) but heard from Collectors some were made in 72' as well?

All Bolens snowmobile literature seems to stop at 1971

 

292's and 340's are Gutbord and 440's are Kiekhaefer

 

 

A 1970 340 Sprint should have a JLO L340

[Kfs35]

Thanks for the info.

[EricFromPa]

Those are really heavy all steel made sleds.My neighbor has one that had engine problems.He put a 340 Arctic Cat engine in it.We tore the original engine down and found that it had melted down pretty bad.It would of needed a complete overhaul and possibly a new crank.

 

340 cat engine will bolt rite up but the wiring is slightly different and the clutch will need to be swapped over from the original engine.

 

 

If it's been sitting for a while Don't try to run her without completely rebuilding the carb,replace the condenser and clean or replace the points.It doesn't take but a couple minutes of lean running to either burn a hole in a piston or cook the rings.If it gets hot enough to turn the header red then it's hot enough to take the temper out of the piston rings.The rings go flat and you gould up and seize.Any 2 stroke will do this but snowmobile engines are more susceptible to this because they sit in storage over 1/2 the year and the carbs tend to gum up.

 

They are nice old sleds but they are really really heavy.Try not to get it stuck to many times lol.

[two_bolens]

Nice collection of old bolens.