What to do? 08 VK Pro with blown engine

[FlagstaffEvan]

Hey all, I'm new to the forum. I manage an xc ski area in Flagstaff, AZ, and we have a Viking RS Professional with a blown engine that was once used for grooming and backcountry gear/supply hauling. It happened before I got here, but what I've been told is that it was run without oil due to a leak, got super hot, and the head is seized to the block, so it's basically dead weight and not rebuildable. With cursory internet searches I haven't had luck finding something like a new/crate engine, nor does a used engine pop up. Possible I'm not searching the right terms, too. So a few questions-

Anyone have a line on how to get a new or used replacement engine?

Are there other more commonly available engines that would swap in with relative ease, that would still handle heavy duty, slow moving work? I know nothing about these sleds but I'm mechanically savvy and we have staff that are as well.

Anyone looking to buy a sled with a blown engine? It's got a number of extras like the secondary factory radiator and some other add-ons.

If we can't fix it easily/somewhat-affordably, looking to replace it with something newer and groomer-duty worthy. The Skandic SWT seems like it comes out at the top of internet reviews...

 

[maim]

try contacting barn of parts (site sponsor) as he parts out used yamaha sleds and usually can get you an engine. yamaha does not sell crate engines.

you could always do this to it but i would not reccomend towing heavy with it but would be fun though!

 

[ClutchMaster]

Or you could buy a used Viking and have a parts machine on hand.
If not I like Maim’s idea with the hairdryer!
Lol

 

[FlagstaffEvan]

Or you could buy a used Viking and have a parts machine on hand.
If not I like Maim’s idea with the hairdryer!
Lol

Not a bad idea to have a parts sled! On the turbo... with great power comes great responsibility, more responsibility than I could trust my staff to have haha. I turbo'd an older civic once and was very good at breaking it and getting speeding tickets, it's just too much fun.

 

[ClutchMaster]

Not a bad idea to have a parts sled! On the turbo... with great power comes great responsibility, more responsibility than I could trust my staff to have haha. I turbo'd an older civic once and was very good at breaking it and getting speeding tickets, it's just too much fun.

Lol yea right!
As far as putting a used motor into a used sled it usually doesn’t make sense. Unless the sled is in immaculate condition and you get a good deal on the engine? Most of the time you can pick up a similar running sled for almost the same price as a used motor, just shop around some. You will have spare everything minus the engine but you’ll still have all those engine sensors and electrical stuff. Food for thought.

 

[hibshman25]

Lol yea right!
As far as putting a used motor into a used sled it usually doesn’t make sense. Unless the sled is in immaculate condition and you get a good deal on the engine? Most of the time you can pick up a similar running sled for almost the same price as a used motor, just shop around some. You will have spare everything minus the engine but you’ll still have all those engine sensors and electrical stuff. Food for thought.

Considering he has VK Professional, they are not a plentiful sled to find in the marketplace.

 

[maim]

the vid i linked has an engine swap to an apex 4 cylinder motor with the added hair dryer.

as to used sled, check kijiji/autotrader in ontario/quebec as i have seen a few for sale on there for resonable price as a lot of camp owners and trappers use them as well.

if still going for a used engine, look for ones from any of the carburated rs ventures, rs nitro, rs rage, and rs vectors up until arond 2010 as it was around then those sleds went efi. might get a whole sled cheap enough to part out the rest and take the motor.

 

[ClutchMaster]

the vid i linked has an engine swap to an apex 4 cylinder motor with the added hair dryer.

as to used sled, check kijiji/autotrader in ontario as i have seen a few for sale on there for resonable price.

if still going for a used engine, look for ones from any of the carburated rs ventures, rs nitro, rs rage, and rs vectors up until arond 2010 as it was around then those sleds went efi. might get a whole sled cheap enough to part out the rest and take the motor.

Yes and many have common parts that will fit either sled, but you will need to do your homework when going that route.

 

[FlagstaffEvan]

Yes and many have common parts that will fit either sled, but you will need to do your homework when going that route.

Is there a good resource(s) for determining interchangeability of parts between models/years you could point me to?

 

[FlagstaffEvan]

the vid i linked has an engine swap to an apex 4 cylinder motor with the added hair dryer.

as to used sled, check kijiji/autotrader in ontario as i have seen a few for sale on there for resonable price.

if still going for a used engine, look for ones from any of the carburated rs ventures, rs nitro, rs rage, and rs vectors up until arond 2010 as it was around then those sleds went efi. might get a whole sled cheap enough to part out the rest and take the motor.

Good to know! Those models all have similar engine mount/harness/transmission interface, etc so they'd drop in easily enough you think? The other trouble I'm running into is that we don't have terribly much snow in Arizona, so there is a pretty limited selection of used sleds around. CO isn't too far for pickup purposes, but otherwise I'd be looking to get it shipped, which is going to add a bit to the price if a private seller is even willing to do it.

 

[maim]

well all the sleds i listed have the same engine. clutching can vary model to model bit the engine is the same.

 

[ClutchMaster]

Is there a good resource(s) for determining interchangeability of parts between models/years you could point me to?

There really isn’t, a good mechanic who works on them daily would know. You can also cross reference on online microfiche like Ronnie’s.
I would personally look for the same model first before instantly just giving up because they are rare.