I just wanted to say hello and let you know my plan.
I have just picked up a 1986 250 trail boss, (mid life crisis with no money)although the pieces are together (more or less)I think it should be considered a basket case.

My goal is to get this thing running (myself) in time for hunting season (november), realistic??The guy I bought the atv from stated that he was riding it prior to getting his new 4x4. He did state that the atv is hard to start and he believes that it is caused by low compression , more specifically a head gasket. I tried to start it with no avail. when I sprayed quick start in the carb (air box) it woukld kick over for a second or two as I reved up the engine.

Having said all that, stage 1 of my plan is to pull off the motor and carb. Get a carb kit and clean the carb, Get a piston and gasket ket and replace that. My thought is by doing this I would know where I stand as far as the motor goes?

Any comments would be appreciated especially if I am biting off more than I can chew, or if I am going in the wrong direction.

Thanks

 

Bear welcome to the forum... i don't think it would be too much of a task to do a top end rebuild on a 2-smoke... do you have experience with tearing out the motor and carb cleaning etc. ?? if i was to buy a basket case machine it would have to be the older polaris 250 motor... i just finished helping my cousin rebuild a yamadog banshee and had to do the whole top-end / carb thing... wasent bad at all...
good luck

 

Thanks GunnSmoke,
I haven't taken a motor apart before in my life!!! I am mechanically inclined and am not afraud to try. I am hoping with the support of a good site and some luck I'll be able to pull it off. I have one question for you. You said "if i was to buy a basket case machine it would have to be the older polaris 250 motor". Does that mean a 1986 250 is a good motor to learn on or shoulds I have gone oledr?

Thanks again

 

well a 2 stroke is real basic and the old 250 powerplant is a good motor imo... there are a bunch of guys here that monkey around with the trailboss / trailblazer... if you want some real informative help just start a thread about rebuilding a trailboss 250...

 

Thanks Will do!

 

Get you a Clymers manual and tear into it.
PM me when you find out what parts you need.I have a complete 86 TB that I am going to part out.

 

Thanks for the comments ftwflh

 

this is a great place to find info if ur stuck and theres alot of people here that will help u out iv learnd and read alot on here its a great place and welcome to the forums

 

The 250 is one of the simplest engines for the home builder . Don't worry about a carb *kit* Get a can of carb cleaner and take apart the carb and clean the passageways . Wear safety glasses .

I bet you get it going .

Rick

 

Get a repair manual. IMO you should put a new base gasket in too when you do the head.