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My First Restoration Project

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2016 9:42 pm
by petermuel
I bought this 502 from the original owner. He was the Bolens dealer in town and came into it in the late 60s. As he recalls he only sold two Diablos. One he kept and used and the other went to the neighbor. He said he ran this one for many years until it was parked in a shed due to gear box problems. After that the shed fell down so it sat outside. The other Diablo had problems and ended up being dumped on a fence line to rot. I bought the one 502 in October 2014 along with some parts that were saved from the junker before it was junked. I had it sandblasted and have started to get ready for paint. Few dents but nothing that won't come out.

Re: My First Restoration Project

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 10:32 pm
by petermuel
It has been hot the last few weeks so work on the diablo has been slow going. I have all of the bogie sets ready for paint and the chain case done. I replaced all of the bearing and used a set of nos drivers that came with the sled. I installed a drain plug in the bottom. When sealing I soon understood why these cases were prone to leaking oil.

Re: My First Restoration Project

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 10:19 am
by petermuel
Having some trouble posting picture because of size. Well I have started to paint and hope to have done by the end of the week. Bogies are done along with most of the black paint. Engine is apart and like most engine that have sat outside with a carb facing up it has some water in it. Hope the rod bearing is okay.

Re: My First Restoration Project

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 10:07 am
by petermuel
Well its been a busy last few weeks with paint and engine work going on. The rod and cylinder looks good so the engine is ready to go back together. I started to put things back together and its really something to see how this project is turning out.

Re: My First Restoration Project

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 11:31 am
by petermuel
Been a very busy few months with my sophomore year of college going on. That being said the 502 has been on the back burner for a short while. I had time this weekend to finish most of the project up. I finished up the engine last weekend to find it did not have spark. Checked the points those were fine asked around and most answers were check the condenser or coil. Sure enough after a new condenser we had spark. After fixing a fuel issue it was running. Was a very proud moment finally see it come to life. Few odds and ends to finish up and hopefully it will be on the snow this weekend. These are mailing labels and part number on the NOS skis I received with the Diablo. After talking with Bruce about the multiple sets of holes in them the decision was that these were produced by Bolens to replace Diablo and Hus-Ski skis as a one fits all ski.

Re: My First Restoration Project

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 2:56 pm
by petermuel
All of the decals are on and everything is done besides putting the hood back on. Hope the news is correct and we get the snow that is predicted this weekend, so it can be tested around the yard.