I'm not big fan of the big block engines....the 600 in its day was pretty good, the 700 was ok, and the 800 i'd pass on. At 5100 miles you'd probably want to replace the pistons for some insurance. The clutches likely need work also.

 

Its sounds like it may not had the best of care.
Ok, i currently owned a 2002 500 xc sp. In my opinion that was probably the most impressive sled i ever owned for ITS SIZE. Mine had over 6,000 miles on it when i sold it with 0 issues. In my opinion i will forever favor the small block 500 and 600's. There just super reliable.
I currently own a 2005 700 xc sp. I like the low end torque the 700 has. but do to oem detuning starting in 2003, the big blocks seem poopchy compared to the small blocks. Are they dead? No not at all.
I purchased my 700 based on responses from people here on HCS. So far i like mine very much. Especially how much lower the rpm's feel, due to the longer stroke.
From what i have gathered in the years, the 700 was a dependable engine.
If you do purchase the sled, i highly recommend changing the water oil pump belt to the thicker gates belt. Clean the carbs, and inspect the clutches. If you are lucky enough to get one with the non perc system, " button secondary " you will have a better top end speed sled then the perc ones. Its said the roller secondary robs top end. With any sled, its only going to be as good and reliable as the previous care its had.
All in all these are decent machines. Good luck, and Happy Holidays.

 

It is a non perc machine, no electric start either. I planned on looking into the clutches like you mentioned. How involved is the process to change the water/oil pump belt? I would probably forgo the top end rebuild for this winter depending on compression and do that over summer just because I'm not sure how well Wisconsin snow is going to be this year. I'm reluctant about the big block motor as well, like you said the 500 was a ripper. I had that thing dialed in to the point I was consistently beating a 800 iqr in trail races. Miss that sled but time goes on and I need something with less miles. Can anything be done to basically up the power back to what a 2002 would be at when doing the rebuild? How did Polaris start de tuning them?

 

My old '03 700 Edge was a great runner. I had the SLP add ons. I had a crank bearing go at 9K. Replaced the motor, and got another 6K before the trailing arm mounts broke. I would replace the recoil rope with a higher strength one.
Agreed on the above: gates belt, top end rebuild for insurance and service the clutches.

 

I agree on the rope. Many times i feel as mine is going to snap with 150psi. Do you have a recommendation on a good stronger rope?

 

Do no be afraid of the big block. The 700's have a great reputation on being powerful and lasting. The 800's have crank issues. At 5000 miles you definitely need a top end. Water pump belt is cake.....unbolt the recoil housing, you may have to unbolt the oil pump that is attached to the housing and there it is. Slide it off and slide on the new one. That simple. I have an 04' XC800 and the original crank lasted 7000 miles.....and that was with a pipe, head, reeds and some port polishing. I've had 500 edge sleds, 550 edge sleds and 800's. Great chassis.

 

Ultra High Strength Recoil Rope

Big Bore and high compression engines take their toll on stock recoil ropes. This Ultra-High Strength Recoil Rope is rated at 5,000 pounds. This is the strongest rope available for it's diameter (3/16"). Its strength equals that of wire rope of the same d

www.startinglineproducts.com

 

That's the one!

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

I used Cobra Cord, been happy so far, no signs of any wear guaranteed forever.

 

I bought a 50' roll of this un-named rope off ebay a couple years ago. Been using it on my sled, and others. Its slightly thinner in diameter, and feels different than the oem stuff, but its tough as all hell. It got a red like line throughout it. Have no idea who made it, just that its for the powersports industry.

 

Wow.....forgot about the rope. I have the Ultra Strength rope on my 800 with plugged decompression holes.....Definitely need that.

 

I've got the same sled, but with full SLP intake and exhaust goodies.

A popular thing to do is to use the thicker carb needles from the 2002 XC 700/800 to gain a little performance and improve fuel economy, since the 2003-2005 needles are thinner so they'd run richer/safer. The '02 needles are 9DFH10, Polaris part number 3131313.

As mentioned, the water pump belt is the biggest weak spot on these big block motors. The Gates belt part number 450-5MGT-09. Can't go wrong with cheap $15 insurance.

 

I've got the same sled, but with full SLP intake and exhaust goodies.

A popular thing to do is to use the thicker carb needles from the 2002 XC 700/800 to gain a little performance and improve fuel economy, since the 2003-2005 needles are thinner so they'd run richer/safer. The '02 needles are 9DFH10, Polaris part number 3131313.

As mentioned, the water pump belt is the biggest weak spot on these big block motors. The Gates belt part number 450-5MGT-09. Can't go wrong with cheap $15 insurance.

I've read about this needle change but haven't done it. I've also read about using those special shims to lower the needle half a notch. Or maybe just lower the needles one notch from oem.

 

Just to update everyone here that guy sold to someone else but I came across another today. Same sled basically with 1000 less miles and it's just a standard Edge XCSP 700. This one is a PERC machine however I feel like maybe I would be willing to sacrifice some top end performance for the reverse feature. This sled also seems to be in noticeably better condition with the exception of the seat being ripped but I think I might convert this sled to more of a rider forward style depending on if I can get it as dialed in as my last sled. I noticed looking into SLP products for these sleds a majority seem to be discontinued so I'll have to keep digging for some mods to do. Any tips for mods that are still available as most in the Liberty 700 sticky thread are no longer available?