Hello everyone, I have an 81 Citation SS 377 dual carb. I have been troubleshooting a backfire (intake side) problem on the PTO side and have had the motor out a couple of times (replaced crank seal, had timing set). I took it for a test run today and almost got really stuck. The sled started to bog when I got into some loose snow and it actually quit. I managed to get it started again and I had to keep feathering the throttle to get the clutch to engage repeatedly to limp it home. I beleive the belt is slipping and it seems very loose. I had another new belt and put it on and it is also very loose. I only have a manual for an 83 and it mentions 3 bolts on secondary clutch to adjust the deflection -- I don't seem to have anything like this and I was wondering if anyone knows how the deflection is adjusted on this particular sled. Thanks in advance.

Also - The belt is also engaging the secondary when idling -- making it almost impossible to keep the sled idling (the load makes the engine die) yet the deflection is very large -- I think I got some WD-40 on the clutch when I was spraying to check the crank seal. So it is acting like the belt is too tight yet it is really loose.

Mine did that and it had a fouled plug. As soon as I changed it it was fine. Have you checked the plugs when it does that?

Might only be running on one cylinder

I burned a belt pretty bad trying to get home and the engine couldn't pull the sled but managed to get the primary going and wore the belt out. Had to get going off the sled then jump on and the belt was slipping like crazy.

Check your plugs first

Originally posted by snowdude@Jan 19 2004, 09:02 AM
Mine did that and it had a fouled plug. As soon as I changed it it was fine. Have you checked the plugs when it does that?

Might only be running on one cylinder

I burned a belt pretty bad trying to get home and the engine couldn't pull the sled but managed to get the primary going and wore the belt out. Had to get going off the sled then jump on and the belt was slipping like crazy.

Check your plugs first
I changed the belt and had the same problem after running for about 10-15 minutes. Checked a buddies 81 mirage II and it had about the same belt deflection. I am going to pull the crank case apart and re-seal it and also re-do both crank seals. I used the wrong type of gasket maker (deosn&#39;t protect against gasoline (duh)) when I change the crank seals. This is probably causing air leakeage and preventing the pulse from driving the fuel pump -- no gas and lean conditions = no power/back fires and quick damage to pistons. I&#39;ll have it apart tomorrow and re-sealed. I&#39;ll check back in a couple days. I hope this is the end of my troubleshooting. THis little sled used to pull pretty hard and I can&#39;t wait to feel that again <grin>.