your cylinders are nickasil coated, not chromed.

as for out of round, a thousandth or two isn't bad, but no more.

since your dealing with a machine shop, take him your new pistons. on occasion, there will be a thousandth or two difference between the 3 pistons. he will be able to measure each piston, and each jug, and tell you what piston to put on what hole.

also, ring gap is important.

 

Awesome. Thank you.

I like your thinking with bringing the pistons to the shop with the jugs.


Sorry if this question is a bit noobish, but when you say a thousandth or two, are you talking inches or mm?

Thanks again.

 

I'll just answer myself and say inches. lol

 

Any clue when the last time the water pump was touched?

 

Not 100% sure. But it looks to be in decent shape.

 

Go ahead and just rebuild the water pump wile your at it. Its very simple and won't cost much to do. If you don't rebuild it it will cost a lot more if the pump decides to go. and wile your in there i would recommend replacing the aluminum impeller with a plastic one from a 2000 thundercat 1000.

get parts 8, 11, 12, and 27. someone correct me if im wrong

1999 Arctic Cat THUNDERCAT AND THUNDERCAT MOUNTAIN CAT (99TCA and 99TCB) WATER PUMP/WATER MANIFOLD | Babbitts Arctic Cat Parts House

Also after you get the pump all the way off you will be left with a shaft and you will see a ball bearing. If you have a bunch of rust and gouging on the shaft you will want to replace that also. but if its not to bad then you can just take some fine sand paper and remove the surface rust. and i would recommend taking some grease and packing into the bearing.

water pump drive shaft
1999 Arctic Cat 1000 Triple Thunder Cat Water Pump Drive Shaft | eBay

 

Do you know of any other reputable site to order replacement water pump parts from? arcticcatparthouse.com seems a little pricey, and the shipping cost seemed outrageous imo.


Thanks again.

 

and dont put it back together till you rebuild that pump, working or not.

thats one of those common failures on these sleds.

just do it.

 

When you go to buy new pistons they will be over a hundred buck a hole. If you buy the SPI's you will save a ton of money. Comes with rings, pins, and clips. Great piston as others will tell you and a fair price. Your call, but that's what I'd do. Below is a how to on the water pump deal if you like its a step by step. No matter what piston kit and rings you buy, be sure to measure ring end gap!! New or not!!

3 SPI Piston Kits Arctic Cat Mountain Cat 1000 Standard Bore 81mm 2001 2002 | eBay


T-Cat Water Pump How-To?

 

1999 Arctic Cat 1000 Triple Thunder Cat Water Pump Drive Shaft | eBay[/URL]

That's not a water pump drive shaft. Its an oil pump shaft. Not what's needed. :lol:

 

haha sorry about that. im kind of a newbe here. but did i get all the water pump parts right?

 

You want part 8 not 11. 11 is a steel washer. Part 8 is a rubber coated washer to seal against the impeller and the shaft. :lol:

 

And as tcat446 suggested to me the same seal is avail from suzuki for a lot less than the cat price.

 

Good point! The Suzuki part number is #17470-02f00.

 

Make sure you check ring gap, I just went through all that, assembling and disassembling, turned over so hard you couldn t pull the rope. Seemed to check on the lower end of specs so I thought it would be ok. wrong, Opened it up to the upper limits and seems fine.

 

Thank you everyone for your input and help! I will update as the project moves forward, and I will definitely be posting any more questions that I might have.

 

Also, back on the topic of which pistons to go for..

The link to the SPI's on ebay say that they're for 2001-2002. Obviously they are the same bore, but is everything else identical and usable for a 1999?

I was originally looking into this kit... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arctic-Cat-Thunder-Cat-1000-Wiseco-Pistons-and-Gasket-Set-SK1265-/380599169492?pt=Snowmobile_Parts_Accessories&hash=item589d7a71d4&vxp=mtr


Thoughts, comments?

 

Yes, same piston.

 

I also came across this kit that looked like decent value..

Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 Mountian Cat 1000 Piston Kit 1998 2002 | eBay


Are the Wiseco pistons worth the extra $100?

 

I also came across this kit that looked like decent value..

Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 Mountain Cat 1000 Piston Kit 1998 2002 | eBay


Are the Wiseco pistons worth the extra $100?

Personally, I would stay away from anything but OEM (Cat) or SPI's. Not saying others aren't gonna work, lots of guys run the Wiescos.

Never heard of the others you linked though.

Wiseco's will work and are a forged piston but you will need to warm up (properly every time) as the piston is slightly undersize, and need to expand. Lots of problems have been noted from not letting them warm back up. Most of the guys on here that have lots of rebuilds under there belts will recommend the same. Are they worth the extra $100.00, not in my opinion anyway. But hey,....that's just me though. :lol:

 

Arctic Cat, Polaris, Snowmobiles, Ranger, RZRs Cannon Power Sports Inc Cannon Falls, MN (507) 263-4532

They only charge actual shipping, plus they are right here in Minn. Prices are fair too.

 

Arctic Cat, Polaris, Snowmobiles, Ranger, RZRs Cannon Power Sports Inc Cannon Falls, MN (507) 263-4532

They only charge actual shipping, plus they are right here in Minn. Prices are fair too.

Never dealt with these guys but will check them out for myself. I have had great luck with Country Cat and Kens sports myself.

 

A little update...

I ordered a set of SPI's, Wiseco top and bottom gasket sets, and all necessary water pump rebuild parts. After Xmas, the fun will begin!


One more question...

As far as the crankcase bolts go, are they stretch bolts that must be replaced when rebuilding?


Thanks.

 

Nope, no need to replace. Here are the torque values.
I will say however most guys like the Cat gaskets because of the thickness and quality. Just letting you know.

 

spi pistons, and cat gaskets here.

the wiseco aren't bad, persay, long as you don't get like a winderosa or something.