Engine ideas

[db556]

After a hard summer of brush hogging. Its getting colder so I'm thinking about an engine swap for one of my gravelys, with a wet snow its a hard to throw it too far with the power brush. So its either the 5240 with the 8hp kohler or my super convertable L8 with the 6.6hp.

I see that harbor freight has there electric 13-14hp engine on sale for $319 so which do you think would be easiest? I like the gear and direction levers more on the 5240 but like the axle range lever or the l8. Its a conundrum.

 

[Oneaxepony]

Can't advise you on the tractor, but HomeDepot.com has a 15HP Lifan Engine for $249 with free shipping. Goes to $319 with electric start. I have a 13HP Chinese clone on my C8 - it doesn't have electric start - nor does it need it. Very easy to start. Good luck!

 

[RichardTX]

An engine swap isn't as easy as you might think on a Gravely. I was considering putting a 16hp Briggs Vanguard on a L8 and by the time I added everything up, I could buy a Pro16. So I bought a Pro16 and got rid of the L8.

 

[gravelymay]

After a hard summer of brush hogging. Its getting colder so I'm thinking about an engine swap for one of my gravelys, with a wet snow its a hard to throw it too far with the power brush. So its either the 5240 with the 8hp kohler or my super convertable L8 with the 6.6hp.

I see that harbor freight has there electric 13-14hp engine on sale for $319 so which do you think would be easiest? I like the gear and direction levers more on the 5240 but like the axle range lever or the l8. Its a conundrum.

To re power 5240 would be the way to go if you have the choice.
It has the 2 speed axle and also the low speed Hi & lo planetary.
So you have the best of both .

The L8 you have to cut down the Rpm to 2600.
The 5240 lets you run at full 3600 rpm
Makes the engine to feel stronger
Because the engine can turn 2 times
for each rpm that the L8 engine turns

Plus it is a bit cheaper .
you already have a Kohler adapter
So all you need is

GR008 adapter plate spacer
GR002 Gear spacer.
Seal Cr 11545
3/8 X 24 X 1 inch long Allen head cap screw
Some engines have a 7/16 X 20 Hole
Shipping


So ck the engine you want so I can send the right screw.
What Hp engine do you plan to use they have to have a 1 inch dia crank shaft?
If it is 10 hp or less you can use the 8 hp adapter plate with the 4 bolt holes closer together.
There two different adapter plates used on the gravely transmission
10-16 has the 2 top holes are closer together then the bottom

I am making up some brackets 1 X 3/16 X about 12'' long at $10.00 ea. extra
They go from the bottom axle bolt holes and back to the bottom of the engine

The aluminum went up so it forced me to make a move higher also.

You will still need to get parts from a Gravely Dealer
46410 Gear Gravely old #
46411 Pilot Bushing Gravely old #

15718 Engine to adapter spacer gasket
10732 adapter to Kohler adapter gasket.
10635 Kohler adapter to Transmission Gasket.

Some people use Blue Glue instead of gaskets

From hardware store
4 each 3/8 X 16 X 2 1/4 long grade 5 or 8 :thumbsup:

 

[gravelymay]

So here is a list for the Model L, C tractor Re power kit

1 ea CR11545 seal 2 X 1.75 X 1/4 $8.00
1 ea The Gear is part # GR 045 $150.00
1 ea pilot bushing is # GR 054 $20.00
1 ea. spacer plate is # GR 049 $125.00
1 ea Alum Re power Plate is # GR001 $60.00
Or Redrill your Kohler adapter for $5.00
6 ea 5/16 X 18 X 2. inch long set screws $.00
1 ea. 3/8 X 16 X 2. long hex bolt and nut $.00
1 ea 3/8 X 24 X 1 1/2 long Allen cap screw $.00
6 ea. 3/8 X 16 fiber lock nuts $.00
6 ea. 3/8 washers $.00
Shipping $15.00
Total

So ck the engine you want so I can send the right screw.
What Hp engine do you plan to use they have to have a 1 inch dia crank shaft?
This is for the Honda engines or clones with 3.3/4 long cranks.

I am making up some brackets 1 X 3/16 X about 12'' long at $10.00 ea extra
2 can be used to bolt the handle bars on to the Re power plate to trans
2 can go from the bottom axle bolt holes and back to the bottom of the engine
if you want all 4 it would be $40.00 extra


You will still need to get parts from a Gravely Dealer

15718 Engine to adapter spacer gasket
10732 adapter to Kohler adapter gasket.
12592 model L Engine chassis gasket (Kohler adapter to Transmission Gasket.)

Some people use ( RTV Blue Glue or gasket eliminator) instead of gaskets

 

[RichardTX]

Some people use ( RTV Blue Glue or gasket eliminator) instead of gaskets

I did that once. Never again. I had to use a large prybar to take the engine off the transmission. I vowed to never again use any sort of sealant on a gasket again unless the manufacturer specifically requires it.

 

[gravelymay]

I did that once. Never again. I had to use a large prybar to take the engine off the transmission. I vowed to never again use any sort of sealant on a gasket again unless the manufacturer specifically requires it.

Hi Richard are you always this negative??
I have been using Blue Glue (RTV )for since it was white in 1963 :confused2:

Now there is a lot different strengths of gasket Eliminator
The stuff they use on windshields can make you sick trying to get it off.

 

[db556]

Well I was at harbor freight the other day and one of there new 420cc engines followed me home for $300 after the 20% :thumbsup:

So its going on my 5240, I like the smaller hood line of it verses the the larger hood of the L8 when I'm working with it(brush hogging) I'll keep the L8 for a bit of a restore job (ok just a paint job :laughing

Now now I'm cheap as ****, I'm thinking what was the shaft length of the kohler engine when mounted to the stock adapter plate? I know the shaft diameter is .75" or .875" I can take that to work and bore it to 1" and deepen the keyway.

Now if the length from the end of the stock shaft to the adapter plate isn't that short I can pull the crank from the new engine turn it down to length and mill the keyway a little longer.

So I would only need to get the pilot bushing. Cause my local gravely dealer doesn't take any prisoners. $66 for a shipper shaft :confused2:

 

[gravelymay]

so all you will need is the plot bushing
and cut out or use flanges for the muffler.
Here is a print of the pilot bushing
Before you cut the crank you may
need to drill it deeper and tap it deeper.
With the tools you have you can do it all.
Here is also a print for the aluminum spacer.
so you won't have to cut the crank.

 

[db556]

Thanks gravelymay! you are the man! :thumbsup:

I think I might actually have some drops of 4130 I can turn the pilot bushing out of. Dont know if I have anything to make the spacer with in aluminum but I do have a stack of 10" diameter 2" thick drops from the center of some pipe flange we did on the plasma table I was going to make some indestructible spinner for my range but I can stand to have a couple less targets .