I've been reading up on the early 250's and had a few questions. What are the problems with the engines, I remember something about the head stud, is there a fix and is it really that big of a problem? Whats a later power plant go for, like an '87? Is the swap easy? Is it worth it? Reason I ask is that I've found an '86 LT that I could probably pick up for $600 that has a good chassis and swingarm, apparently there isnt any compression and there are some tranny problems. What do you think?

 

make sure you have a good back because from what i heard the suspension on those is nil

 

I have an 86 LT250R. The only probs ive had w/ it is the swingarm cracking and the stator goin out. The suspension is great in my opinion. The engine is awesome and there are no problems with it ive heard of. The 87+ models do have power reeds but i hear they hardly make a difference. I love my 86 LT, i cant help u w/ the one ur looking at but if u decide to go for it, be SURE to check above the front shock mounts for cracks and also the swingarm although both those are very easy welds. Good luck to u.

 

I was going to put work dual rates with rezzies up front and maybe a Quadstar out back. The first questions I asked about were the swingarm and perches for the shocks up front, he said there are no cracks to go along with the compressionless (he truely said none!) engine.

Whats involved in an engine swap, can I just use the jug from an '87 up or is there more to it?

 

The engines between the 85/86 and later models are different, parts can't be changed. I think you are confused about the head problem, I believe you are thinking of the 87 quadzilla and it's head problems. If the chassis and suspension are good I think 600 is a decent price, you might be able to talk him down though. As far as zero compression...pull the head off and take a peak inside. If he wants to sell it bad, it shouldn't be a problem since if you decide not to buy it, it isn't like he can start it for the next guy anyway. If the piston is still in there, it will have the oversize imprinted on the top of the piston (if it has been bored before and if the piston doesn't have a hole in it. As far as swappin the entire engine with and 87-up, I'm not sure. Swing arm is THE biggest problem with the early q-racers. Stock suspension isn't bad, not as good as a 250R, but still better than anything else of the time frame (and even the new Banshees). Good luck.

 

I thought the '85-86's had 6 studs instead of 7 and no reed cage as well? They dont have the power valve either do they?

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the heads or engines of the 85-86 LT250s,there aren't any problems with the suspension either.The problems they are said to have are cracks in the swingarm and front shock mounts, but I know of a few that have been pushed pretty hard and not cracked. The 87- on engines had power reeds?? The 87-92 have case reed induction instead of the cylinder reed on the 85-86, no real advantage, except the case reed is accessed easier.The 87-92 had power valves which help to widen the power a bit, not the end all be all some people think, despite it "powerful" name. To put an 87-92 engine in an 85-86 chassis, the rear mounts(swingarm) line up and require no modification, but the 85-86 have a vertical bar in fron of the engine that the 87-92 don't, so you will have to cut that (to allow clearance for the exhaust) and fabricate front motor mounts.

 

the 87's got power valves gary...and they had the biggest reed cage of any year.

 

Thats what he stated, '87-92 had power valves. Thanks for the help, maybe I'll buy it after all. If there isnt to big of an advatage on the later motors I wont bother with the swap.

 

my stock suspension sucks on my 86 lt. but im sure its not made for 70ft doubles [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img] otherwise its the second fastest quad around! my trx 250r is the fastest hehe [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]