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For 1972 Bolens upgraded its power to remain competitive, hooking up with Kiekhaefer to use his 440 twin fan-cooled engines in its machines.
Kiekhaefer engines had many exclusive features, like cylinder heads with thin horizontal fins located where they could do the most good radiating directly outward from the combustion chamber. Originally developed for aircraft engines during WWII, the design was further refined to achieve adequate cooling under severe operating conditions.
Refinements included the exclusive use of K-Tron C.D. ignition systems that deliver high-energy 40,000-volt sparks for positive sparkplug firing at temperatures as low as -50 F. K-Tron used surface-gap sparkplugs for longer plug life measured in seasons, not hours.
Kiekhaefer engines also used forged aluminum pistons, which were more costly, but lighter, stronger and cooler running than cast aluminum pistons. Additionally these engines used a tight crankcase to produce more power than other engines. Overall, the engine weighed about 80 lbs., much lighter than the boat-anchor-like Gutbrods. These fan-cooled 433cc engines put out about 40 horses, making the Super Sprint come alive. Bolens also added a Quirt-Tone muffler to give the engine a cool rumble.
Power was transferred through Salsbury drive and driven clutches, using a floating caliper disc on the stationary driven sheave to provide great braking power. The sled’s power was sent through a Polytrac inviolate-tooth drive to a Gates Polyurethane 15-inch track. A Mogul Tamer-like slide-rail suspension system gave it a great ride. The two-piece slide-rail system used steel runners that ran right on the polyurethane track, the track came with a glossy coating. But if you didn’t have any snow for lube you could damage your track.