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Jim's Repair/Jim's Tractors
16330 Goodwin Ave.
Hastings, MN 55033
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Q: I have a 1970
John Deere 140 lawn tractor that has always been garage kept. I was
12 years old when my father bought it brand new. This tractor means
a lot to me because I grew up with it cutting our lawn, snow
plowing, and clearing out our wooded back yard. My father gave me
the tractor just before he died and I could never think about
getting rid of it. This tractor is, and will always be, a part of me
and my father.
The problem is although my father, and now myself, have always
maintained the tractor and kept it out of the elements, its looks
like it might be time for a new engine. I have to say there is
really nothing wrong with the engine, it starts right up and does
not burn any oil. One day I noticed a little oil on one side of the
cooling fins of the engine, and noticed it was coming from the head
gasket. I bought a new gasket, but when I took the top of the head
off, it was pretty well carboned up on the top of the piston and the
valves. I cleaned off the carbon and noticed that the piston was
slightly worn on one of the edges. I put back the new gasket and re-torqued
the bolts and it seems to run great and have a little more power.
So after thirty three years I am thinking of replacing the engine
with either the same K321AS, or now I see that you have a more
modern
Vanguard replacement engine. I am
not sure what to do here, one part of me would like to keep the
tractor stock, but the other part would like a more modern engine.
Any way I see that you yourself have a 140, and you have put the
Vanguard engine in it.
A: I like the
Vanguard engine as it weighs 40 to 60 lbs less than the Kohler, so
you almost feel like you have power steering with that weight gone
over your front axle. A Vanguard is always a better cold starting
engine. They are very fuel economical compared to a flat head
engine. An oil pump and oil filter make for a very long living
engine and it also runs cooler. I put my Vanguard engine in my John
Deere 140 H3 in 1988 and it has a lot of hours on it.
Here is a link to the blog article about my own John Deere 140:
http://www.garden-tractor-info.com/2005/11/10/john-deere-140/
Q: I have a 1990
John Deere 318 garden tractor and
the engine starts very hard, it seems like it is not getting enough
fuel. When you open the throttle wide open it starts to fire and
spits gas out of the carburetor throat. When you finally get it
running it starts pretty good.
Did that year come with the check valve in the fuel line? Or could
it be that it needs to be added?
Also, the compression seems low but it does not smoke, when I bought
it, one valve seat had popped out and the dealer peened it back in,
but would it even run if that was the problem?
I am debating on what to do with it. It has been sandblasted and
completely redone I have a 49 blower and a front blade plus a 2 year
old 48 replacement mulching deck. What is it worth in your opinion?
A: I know one thing, it is well worth
putting an engine in. I sounds to me like that seat already is loose
again, that is a going problem with the Onan engine. The V-Twin
Vanguard engines we install are the Cadillac of air cooled engines.
Our set up includes toll free telephone guidance and support. When
you start doing the engine transplant, if you should run into any
problems, just give me a call on my toll free number. I want to make
it so you can get the job done as easily and simply as possible. I
can talk you through most any problem you might encounter. We've
been in the repowering business since 1988.
Q: I would like to put a new engine in my John Deere 400
garden tractor. I have been looking over the different brands and
models. What is you opinion?
A: If you want quality, the
V-Twin Vanguard overhead valve engine
is the one to choose. Vanguard parts are easy to get, if you should
ever need any, and are reasonably priced. I installed my first
Vanguard engine in my John Deere 140 in 1987. This tractor is
steadily used with a front end loader on it. We always put so much
time on this tractor that in the past we would overhaul the engine
every 3 years or repowered with a different engine. After I
installed the Vanguard in 1987, and with still putting all those
hours on it, we've never had this Vanguard engine out. It's running
fine and still has no signs of needing to be overhauled. Now that is
quality.
Q: I have a John Deere 212 lawn
tractor and am looking to repower it. What motor do you recommend
for this? We have the technical skills to do the installation.
A: Yes, we can get you updated with a Vanguard V-Twin
overhead valve 18 horsepower engine. This engine is actually
underrated so it is putting out a short 20 horsepower. This extra 8
horsepower would really make that snowblower you have come to life.
With the mower deck and the pull behind one, you would handle all
this equipment at ease. The 18 horsepower engine would be electric
start, high charging rate alternator, fuel pump, oil filter, and oil
pump on it. We also have the installation kit that comes with a
muffler, exhaust manifold, oil filter plate, oil filter auxiliary
kit, relay, throttle cable, choke cable and other items.
Q: I'd like to repower my John
Deere 317 lawn tractor with the Vanguard engine you offer. What
horsepower would you recommend and also will my side covers fit back
on? I've been considering the Honda conversion and a friend told me
that you offer a Briggs conversion that fits better. What do you
recommend ?
A: The Vanguard is the top of the line in V-Twin overhead
valve engines. This is a commercial engine with a commercial
warrantee that you should have to never use. When you put my engine
in you put the side panels back on and the installation looks neater
than factory. When we install our engines we are taking care of a
driveshaft problem the 317 Deere's were born with. Be sure to
inspect your driveshaft before you do the engine installation. |
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If you
are interested in repowering your John Deere Lawn tractor or any
other brand, give us a call
1-800-618-8738 or e-mail us:
jim@jimsrepairjimstractors.com We'll help you
do the repower yourself or we can do it for you.
Included in my
kit is the $200 oil filter bracket and auxiliary kit.
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