300/440/550 '83 & '85 JS440 First Skis

[ares5000]

And so it starts! Just picked up my first skis! Manuals are on order and I've already got a full 550 to swap into one of them!

Ended up with a stock '85 JS440 and got a surprise with the other '83 JS440 that has a Mariner Plate, K&N Filter, Kerker Pipe Westcoast & a primer kit. The stock ski runs great but its the modded one that's giving me troubles. Seems the primer kit was never fully installed correctly. It's got a line T into the fuel return it looks like but the other hose from the primer is missing and I'm not sure where it goes to? I'm also confused on how exactly to go about priming the lines in the stock ski as it's been sitting for awhile. Thanks!

 

[ares5000]

Well nevermind that. After flooding the carbs I found it squirting gas out the side of the head so I'm in the process of pulling the whole engine now...

 

[ares5000]

Just wondering how much smoke is "normal" for these? I've got a few 2-stroke bikes and they don't smoke nearly as much as the skis do for some reason. I'm running 40:1 and have the carbs leaned out but it's still ridiculous...

 

[ger87410]

They smoke alot.

40:1 seems like a lot to me. I think they're suppose to run 42:1.

 

[onelugnut]

Just wondering how much smoke is "normal" for these? I've got a few 2-stroke bikes and they don't smoke nearly as much as the skis do for some reason. I'm running 40:1 and have the carbs leaned out but it's still ridiculous...

View attachment 129580

May be it is just loaded up from the primer.

 

[b.lee]

You really need to get out and warm them up on the lake before judging the amount of smoke.
When they are cold, they'll smoke alot, just like any other 2 stroke.

I run 50:1 in my js550

 

[jetskifreak]

the water box is full of crap so they will smoke alot till you burn it all out

 

[ares5000]

hey thanks for the tips and advice! ill update after i get them running for awhile and tuned in a bit more.

already have the 550 pulled and ready to drop in after i clean up and reinforce the hull. I also found bed-liner paint on sale so i bought a few cans to paint the engine bay with which should look nice..

 

[Waverunner Eagle]

i wouldnt lean the carbs at all just in case you go too lean - but they do smoke a lot

youll always have at least a small stream of smoke if its properly tuned

 

[ares5000]

I found one of those above ground pools at Target for $50 so I've got a ski testing pool now! I've finally got a place to tune it while still at home before I toss it in the lake or even think about some salt water action.

Pics of the testing pool coming soon after I get it together this weekend

I've also got the Clymer manual for all the old skis. As time permits I'll be scanning in wiring diagrams and other essential charts that everyone seems to need...