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oil
Feb 17, 2007 0:08:04 GMT -5
Post by markdault0039 on Feb 17, 2007 0:08:04 GMT -5
The Cat dealer here is out of the Arctic Cat 20:1 oil. That is what I have always used. The dealer said I could use any two cycle premix oil and to mix it 32:1. What is best for the old Cats? Thanks.
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oil
Feb 17, 2007 12:26:53 GMT -5
Post by #0002 Paul W. on Feb 17, 2007 12:26:53 GMT -5
Hi, There are a couple of choices. The regular Arctic Injection oil can be mixed at 50:1 for the older pre-mix sleds. If you want to keep the "vintage look" with your oil, get some Amsoil Dominator oil. It's purple! It looks just like the old Purple Power Lube, but is a heavy duty synthetic. It also mixes at 50:1 for pre-mix sleds. And, don't be afraid of the 50:1 mix ratio, the modern oils are so much better (especially the synthetics) that it is perfectly safe to mix it at that ratio. Remember, by 1975, John Deere was running 40:1 and Arctic soon followed. I've been running Amsoil in my sleds for the past four years, or so, and I love it! Less smoke, no carbon build up, no more fouled plugs. I run 50:1 in my free-air sleds and 80:1 in the fan-cooled sleds, without any problems. The bigger worry is the gasoline itself. I ALWAYS use premium grade, for the extra octane. Helps keep the engine away from pre-ignition and detonation. Remember, burning a hole in the piston, or an exhaust side meltdown is not an oil related failure. It's heat related! Hope this helps!
Later ....... Paul W. / ACCA
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oil
Feb 21, 2007 1:10:50 GMT -5
Post by markdault0039 on Feb 21, 2007 1:10:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. Is it the synthetic that you like to run? Why do you run a different mix in the fan cooled and the free airs? I take it that there is not any advantage to running 20:1 any more. It sounds like they run better at 50:1. I've never heard of running 80:1 before. Do you think a 72 Cheetah 440 would run better at 80:1 ? Thanks, Mark.
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oil
Feb 21, 2007 11:13:18 GMT -5
Post by #0002 Paul W. on Feb 21, 2007 11:13:18 GMT -5
Hi, Yes, the Amsoil is a full synthetic oil. I run more oil in the free-airs for two reasons: free-airs tend to be higher performance engines that turn more rpm, and because they are performance engines they tend to be put into the sportier sleds and therefore are driven "sportier" than your more basic sleds. Plus, free-airs will run a little hotter than fan-cooleds at slower speeds and on warmer days. The 20:1 days are long gone. 40:1 or 50:1 is the way to go. I recommend to people that if they are using a regular, off the self, normal petroleum based oil they should go with 40:1. If they are using a synthetic, go with 50:1. But, ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL. Most of the oils out today are for oil injected sleds but they usually have a recommendation for pre-mixing (usually 50:1). The Amsoil Sabre Professional is a pre-mix only oil, that can be mixed anywhere from 50:1 to 100:1. That is the oil I am using at 80:1 and so far, it's all good. I have not been brave enough to try 90:1 or 100:1 yet! LOL! Also, on why I always use premium: whenever you mix any amount of oil into gasoline, it lowers the octane rating. That's why I like the extra safety of the higher octane premium gas. As for your Cheetah running better, that's a hard question to answer. If the seals are good in the engine, and the carb is working properly, and the mixture needles are set properly, and the ignition timing is set properly, and the drive and driven clutches are in good shape and set properly, and the belt is good, etc., etc., etc., then there should be no real difference in performance between 20:1 and 50:1 oil mix ratio. The advantages with the leaner mix will be less smoke, less plug fouling, less carbon build up in the exhaust port and on the piston and rings, and less $$$ spent on oil. Later ....... Paul W. / ACCA
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oil
Feb 21, 2007 11:54:41 GMT -5
Post by markdault0039 on Feb 21, 2007 11:54:41 GMT -5
Thanks alot for your help. I will look for some Dominator oil.
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oil
Feb 27, 2007 9:50:08 GMT -5
Post by Jim Solberg #0022 on Feb 27, 2007 9:50:08 GMT -5
To add a little to what Paul is saying...
I too have been running Amsoil Saber at 80:1 in my fan cooled sleds for years with zero problems. Many think the only reason to run leaner oil mix is to reduce plug fouling, but all that carbon buildup at 20:1 is slow death to your engine. I choose to run the least amount of oil possible that will still provide adequate wear protection, and the Saber seems to do that.
Performance wise, I've read a lot about two stroke oil in the past few years, and the evidence is pretty clear that in racing applications more oil equals more power. But, only in racing applications. The more oil you put in your fuel, the less fuel you have going into the engine. The fuel cools the combustion chamber before igniting. Too little fuel and you'll destroy a piston in seconds. Racers compensate by running much larger jets, dumping huge amounts of fuel into the combustion chamber. They also run very high octane leaded fuel so the octane reduction is minimized. Racers also tear down and rebuild their engines frequently so the carbon buildup is not an issue.
If you're trail riding that Cheetah, including the occasional wide open blast across the lake, it'll run better using the oil and ratios Paul talked about.
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alk
New Member
Posts: 9
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oil
Oct 7, 2007 7:25:49 GMT -5
Post by alk on Oct 7, 2007 7:25:49 GMT -5
Hello folks;I'd like to revive this thread to get some info myself. I've got a fresh T1C engine(rebuilt by HRP in Rockford,MI) for the '74 El Tigre project;would like to know recommended break-in oil ratio(Amsoil Dominator user). I've got some full cans of the old Purple Powerlube that I'd thought about for break-in,but am worried about compatibility when switching over to the Amsoil. ALSO...I used Sunoco Ultra 94 octane or BP 93 octane fuel in mine last year,and didn't add any octane boosting additives;what's the opinion out there on octane boosters and recommended brands? More importantly,what not to do and what to stay away from. Thanks to Earl,Paul and all the Cat folks that have helped me out!
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