By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Well
I did it again! I bought yet another vehicle. This one may be a little off topic for this board so let me know if you would rather not hear about it. It's a Tucker Sno-Cat. Tucker is still in business but this one was probably made in the 50's. A model 443 Utility Double Drive. It has 4 tracks, which run over 4 lightweight pontoons, which give it flotation over snow. It's powered by a 6-cylinder flathead engine and 3-speed gearbox. Both front and rear tracks steer. Its about 77" wide and 16' long. It does run and can be moved under its own power but is in dire need of a full restoration. It's a project for down the road a bit as I have 2 in the works now. In the meantime I will start looking for info and parts so if anyone knows about them, let me hear.
Tim

By pete6x6 on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tim,

Any pics ? Sounds neat!

By Joel Haslett (Rustyjeep) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tim,Congradulations on your Tucker.I found a few websites on Sno Cats but no personal restoration,or project sites.There quite a few Tuckers here in Maine being used by snowmobile clubs .You might find some info by contating snowmobile clubs on the web that use Tuckers.Good luck and send in those pictures!!

By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Here is some links to pictures of my Sno-Cat after I got it home. As you can see its in need of some TLC. I may fix a few things here and there just to get it so it's driveable before doing a full restoration. Right now I'm looking for pictures, manuals etc. for them to see what it should really look like. Especially the cab and engine compartment. Many cob job repairs have been done over the years.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=183597&a=1340079&p=37671557&Sequence=0&res=high

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=183597&a=1340079&p=37671561&Sequence=0&res=high

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=183597&a=1340079&p=37671559&Sequence=0&res=high


I did run across a personal site for a fellow in Scotland who has restored one and has some good info on them. I have emailed him a couple times and he has been very helpful so far.
Here is his web site and also Tuckers.
Tim

http://www.gwim2.free-online.co.uk/gordons_snocat_home.htm

http://www.sno-cat.com/

By jerry on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Wow Tim, your wife must be a whole lot more understanding than mine. Mine goes ballistic if I even glance through the classified section of the Sunday paper.

By pete6x6 on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tim,

That's really neat looking. What kind of engine is it diesel?

By Bruce Noren on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hi Tim,

I have had four tuckers and a few other large tracked machines. I can offer you much help and advice, even can help you find parts. I am not a dealer, just a guy who--like you--picks up an odd machine from time to time. I can tell you the down side to tuckers as well as the good points.

email me at bruce@bpla.com or call at 906-932-3100

By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks for the post Bruce. I'll e-mail you a version of this post. Let me recap what I know about my Sno-Cat so far. Or at least what I think I know.
It's a model 443 double drive. The serial # plate is missing but there is a plate on the steering cylinder indicating a June 1953 manufacture date.
The engine and drive train are basically the same as the old Dodge Power Wagons. The engine is a Chrysler 6 cylinder Flathead gasoline engine model 3 0-2526-1 and serial # F061854 if anyone can tell me more about it. Transmission seems to have 3 forward and one reverse gear. There is a clutch but no foot brake. There is I believe a hand brake, which I haven't checked out yet.
The engine does run but requires the choke to be mostly closed. There seemed to be a lot of dirt in the gas and I have it temporally hooked to another tank. The carb probably has crap in it.
The clutch seems worn and the throwout bearing squeals. However it will move under its own power. The tracks themselves seem fair and I got some extra parts for them in the deal. It appears that at least some of the rollers have replaceable bearings. The pontoons and roller tracks are fair to poor. Especially the left front pontoon, which I noticed, doesn't match the other three. It is not equipped with the track tension adjustment the other three have. It can probably be repaired but I would like to find a better replacement that would match if possible.
I currently am just trying to come up with info, pictures, manuals and possible part sources. I'd appreciate any help anyone would like to offer.
Thanks
Tim

By Bob on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I know of a 1950's Tucker for sale in CA for $1500 if anyone is interested. The deal includes the rights to the URL www.snocat.com
Email me if you'd like more info.
Bob
rokon@worldnet.att.net

By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

For anyone interested. There is now a discussion board devoted to Tucker Sno-Cats on Gordon's Classic Sno-Cat site.
http://disc.server.com/Indices/144586.html

By Tim Wafer (Iflyrctoo) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Just added some photo links to the Sno-Cat board if anyone's interested.
http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=144586&article=44