So as you know Chris P was instrumental in getting my 71 Chevelle back on the road after 10+ years of dormancy
Now Chris S (President) is helping me do the same with my uncle's 72 SS! Except it's not a Chevelle. It's an Evinrude Bobcat SS 437 snowmobile. I forgot to snap a few photos Saturday when we went to pick it up. Will have to include some in the next update.
Finding parts for machines this age can be difficult. I got a carb kit which is readily available but no kit for the fuel pump. I have a different style pump in my toolbox that would work fine, but Mike and I are going to get together and do some searching for original parts to keep it era correct.
We also need a gas tank since the original plastic tank crumbles when you touch it. Never seen a plastic tank in such bad shape, but as this thing warmed up in my shop it smelled awful. Found out there was 1/4 tank of 20 year old fuel in there! That didn't help any. I removed the tank CAREFULLY and carried it out into the woods. We will get some more pictures up after we get together.
Mike has been doing some research on this old machine and found out parts are readily available for the fuel pump directly from the Evinrude dealer. I stopped and picked up a rebuild kit today and the parts look right, we are getting closer!
Mike brought over a used tank he found yesterday. I found some debris in the bottom....may not be 20 year old gas, but it's close. Good news is the tank is complete and correct. Mike is headed over after lunch to do some cleaning. Hope he brings nose plugs, it's getting ripe in the shop!
Mike came to the shop with the last few parts we needed to button up this project. A couple hood hold down knobs, and we fastened down the fuel tank. Put a coat of wax on the hood and Mike took his first ride around the yard. No crashes or mechanical failure, but we blew out a headlight and a taillight bulb. We laughed as we made a new parts list that this isn't any different than working on our cars, the list never ends you just keep adding to it.