I’m going to look at a skidoo formula III 600 this weekend and was wondering if there’s anything I should look for. Is this a good engine, is it fast, top speed, mods I can do, etc. In the ad it says he put new fuel lines in, brake lines and a new track last season. It doesn’t run he says it ran this winter but this spring he couldn’t get it to he said needs a good carb clean, he sent me a video of when it ran this winter. He wants $400
Ty Peterson
Looking at a 1996 skidoo formula III 600
I had one for 5 years since new. Not one issue at all. Triples sounds great too.
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PTO side crank bearings were known to fail. A lot of them had a hole drilled in the case and the inner seal removed to lube the bearing from the injection oil. This was a precursor to the isoflex set up. I think originally they used Dow Molycote 111 grease. Correct me if I’m wrong guys but that’s what I recall.
At $400 you really can’t go wrong but keep in mind a new crank will set you back about $500. If it’s caught in time you can just put new bearings on the PTO and mag ends and go on but only if you’re lucky.
These were runners in their day. Solid 120 hp. Triple power so it was fat and torquey. I had one new back in the day. It would get you to 115mph on a good day. Quicker than snot and carried skis past 70 easily. Awesome blast to ride. If the ground was smooth. I used to just go do pulls down the bean fields all day long. It was a trip to feel that pull and hear that Rotax triple sing it’s song. Had a 700 too and it was beast. Pulled like a freight train. These new twins just don’t have the balls those triples had.
Clean runners too. We used to start them by flipping the clutch just for kicks. They would start by just flipping one cylinder over compression.
Another thing too. The carb float needle valves would leak and fill the case with fuel if a guy didn’t shut the fuel valve. Had one fill the center chamber and when I fired it it destroyed the center cylinder piston and rod in about 1/2 second. That’s why I know the crank cost $500.
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At $400 you really can’t go wrong but keep in mind a new crank will set you back about $500. If it’s caught in time you can just put new bearings on the PTO and mag ends and go on but only if you’re lucky.
These were runners in their day. Solid 120 hp. Triple power so it was fat and torquey. I had one new back in the day. It would get you to 115mph on a good day. Quicker than snot and carried skis past 70 easily. Awesome blast to ride. If the ground was smooth. I used to just go do pulls down the bean fields all day long. It was a trip to feel that pull and hear that Rotax triple sing it’s song. Had a 700 too and it was beast. Pulled like a freight train. These new twins just don’t have the balls those triples had.
Clean runners too. We used to start them by flipping the clutch just for kicks. They would start by just flipping one cylinder over compression.
Another thing too. The carb float needle valves would leak and fill the case with fuel if a guy didn’t shut the fuel valve. Had one fill the center chamber and when I fired it it destroyed the center cylinder piston and rod in about 1/2 second. That’s why I know the crank cost $500.
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You know at $500 you could part it out and get that back, but I can’t help but think you should walk away. I can send you a video of my sled running great, right before it blew up.
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Sent from the Island of Misfit Toys.
I'd buy it and part it, make your money back on the track alone provided its new like stated.
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Buy it and see if it runs good and if it does use it tell it blows and part it out for my money back
There’s a pic of under the hood and was wondering why the hose might be missing or was a hose supposed to there
Triples are a fun Sled and can be fast but anything this old is going to require some maintenance. The older Ski-Doo triples up to including 97 had the older simpler ignition system. Could be a bad stator. Could be a carb issue too assuming it pulls over.
To find out if bearings are bad, pull the plugs out and roll the motor with the clutch and see how it feels.
Personally unless you are good at wrenching, I'd say find something else unless you are really set on getting a triple and willing to work and learn.
Yes you can buy it and part out but the 600 triple parts don't bring the money like the 700 or 800 triples.
To find out if bearings are bad, pull the plugs out and roll the motor with the clutch and see how it feels.
Personally unless you are good at wrenching, I'd say find something else unless you are really set on getting a triple and willing to work and learn.
Yes you can buy it and part out but the 600 triple parts don't bring the money like the 700 or 800 triples.
If ur buying this to ride trails keep looking ,they where fun in there day (had2) but not a good handleing machine.I would look toward a zx or rev twin.Now if u are looking for a lake racer this would be fun !!
Bring a compression tester. If it tests good, and you want a triple, buy it. No doubt it will need some TLC.
As mentioned, the ignition system on the 96 is simple. The CDI/ignition box is on the oil tank mount bracket.
No hose on that coolant bottle nipple. Should be just 2 main hoses. 1 off the top/front of the bottle and 1 off the bottom of the bottle. The 1 off the bottom goes to a T.
Lots of smart triple guys on the forum here... Mach Z / Mach 1 / Formula III Triples
As mentioned, the ignition system on the 96 is simple. The CDI/ignition box is on the oil tank mount bracket.
No hose on that coolant bottle nipple. Should be just 2 main hoses. 1 off the top/front of the bottle and 1 off the bottom of the bottle. The 1 off the bottom goes to a T.
Lots of smart triple guys on the forum here... Mach Z / Mach 1 / Formula III Triples
Ty ur talking about machines that are 25 yrs old.I'm not sure the direction u are headed or how much $$ u have to work with ,I wouldn't want to do much more than putt around the yard with either of these sleds.The Z was quick ,not sure why ur worried about how fast they are.The 96 F3 I believe had the C6 rear suspension (?) that was heavy and awful . Tell us what you are looking for , what type riding,budget ect people here will do there best to point u in a good direction ,we have had all those machines.
Im looking for a older skidoo that I can ride in the ditch’s and trails but I want to go fast when I want to go fast. Right now I drive my dads 95 skidoo formula z 583 so that’s why I’m not to worried about the older suspension and trying to buy my first snowmobile
Im 15 years old buying and flipping lawn mowers so im not to afraid of wrenching on my snowmobile, I know lawn mowers and snowmobiles are two different things but that’s why I’m trying to learn and read all these forms
Im 15 years old buying and flipping lawn mowers so im not to afraid of wrenching on my snowmobile, I know lawn mowers and snowmobiles are two different things but that’s why I’m trying to learn and read all these forms
I would look for something else besides that F3 if you're looking to own your first sled.
Sure they were legendary in their day, but unless you are specifically after a classic triple muscle sled, you are bound to learn a lot with your wallet.
In the year 2021, there really isn't much you can buy for that 96 F3 from Ski Doo anymore. So you are down to used market and aftermarket when it comes to parts. When the snow is flying and you have a problem, nothing comes quickly.
The $400 you save not buying that sled will be money well spent on something else.
Sure they were legendary in their day, but unless you are specifically after a classic triple muscle sled, you are bound to learn a lot with your wallet.
In the year 2021, there really isn't much you can buy for that 96 F3 from Ski Doo anymore. So you are down to used market and aftermarket when it comes to parts. When the snow is flying and you have a problem, nothing comes quickly.
The $400 you save not buying that sled will be money well spent on something else.
There’s this nice looking 1996 skidoo formula z 583 runs everything works. I know that the 583 is a good engine has reverse. He wants $900 for it but I want to know if it’s fast, because I got to beat my buddy’s 1999 Polaris Xc 700
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I can appreciate trying to be fast on a hamburger and fries budget. You'll have to consider what that is worth to you, versus being able to buy a sled you can be working to get ready for the season so you can RIDE when there is snow. If you continue to wait, the used sled prices will continue to rise and the demand for them increases as you get closer to snow.
I can say that non-VES XC 700's were strong runners and made in the 115-120HP range when new. The 583 made 105(?). Both machines are plenty quick for a beginner; but you should probably start with something similar in displacement or larger if beating your buddy is the most important thing in your search.
Consider that many times the race outcome is decided in the first 5 feet because of traction. It's the whole package that matters.
I can say that non-VES XC 700's were strong runners and made in the 115-120HP range when new. The 583 made 105(?). Both machines are plenty quick for a beginner; but you should probably start with something similar in displacement or larger if beating your buddy is the most important thing in your search.
Consider that many times the race outcome is decided in the first 5 feet because of traction. It's the whole package that matters.
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