318 Re-Power - Honda or Kohler?

[timb]

Not me - 1962 did.

If you don't already have an old warhorse you want to keep running - I'd be inclined to look for a garden tractor that was originally built with a diesel. For example the Deere 330/332/455's or the bigger class 430 etc.,. Around here those can be expensive but from the looks of eBay and various sales forums - out in the midwest they are far less expensive.

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> he Honda drop-in is being touted as about a 2-3 hour job, no modifications, no ad-hoc engineering needed. About as plug-and-play as such things ever get. The Kohler requires a bit of surgery and wrestling to work, but it can be done. </font>
Actually that was the reason that I posted the above link. It is a complete setup to replace the Onan with a Kohler Command with no fabrication including the wiring. There is also free shipping.

 

[timb]

According to TEW - even with their kit to use the parts they supply you still have to open up the frame in the oil drain area (drain plugs don't quite line up) and cut a hole through the grill (the exhaust from the Kohler exits out the front). They supply a bezel that gets riveted to the grill. There is also a bit of fussing / fitting with the PTO clutch but nothing bad. There may also be clearance issues with the body side panels (the Kohler must be a tick wider than the Onan) and the oil dipstick.

The Honda from SEW seems to be a bit more drop-in - they provide a B&S muffler (I think) that allows the exhaust to exit the stock side panel location. However I think I read that you have to pull the engine to remove the PTO clutch if it's ever needed.

Both have small issues with the throttle cable/routing. There also seems to be some hit-and-miss things with some of the starting electrics as well, even though the original wiring harness is employed.

No perfect solution, it is a re-power after all and I guess there will always be compromises.

 

[Cecil]

1962,

Tell us more about this 10 HP diesel?

Thanks,

cecil

 

[420hondeere]

I know that I picked up on this thread a little late, but I've repowered an 420 with a 24hp Honda and a 318 with a 20hp Honda and been pleased with both. The 420 was a little complicated because they didn't offer a kit for a 420 so I ordered a 318 kit and modified it to work. On another note the 20hp for the 318 was a direct drop in.

 

[jd4115]

I have a 322, the 318 with the 3-cyl Yanmar diesel engine converted to gas. I've thought of converting it to diesel (making a 332!) -- has anyone done this?

BTW, have a Honda generator with a 9 HP engine that works very well -- have had it for 15 years and it starts like a dream.

 

[fig]

jd4115,

I'm a little confused. How do you convert from gas to diesel and vise versa?

Newton

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

This is just a guess but I would think it is about even money to buy a good 332 vs convert a 322. It would defanatly be cheaper to sell the 322 and buy a 332. This is off the top of my head. The carb and ignition would have to be junked, head and pistons would have to be replace with higher compresion ratio parts. A injector pump added.

Having made those changes you would then have a 'rebuilt' motor instead of a factory built motor.

In short, I would be happy with the 322. As you can see in my signiture, I have a old 318 and it is great. The 322 is just a little better/smoother/quiter.

 

[jd4115]

>>How do you convert from gas to diesel and vise versa?

Well, I believe that the Yanmar engine in my 322 was originally a diesel---the one used in the 332. So it was converted to gas for the 322. My interest is in converting it back.

 

[jd4115]

Charlie,

You could well be right! My 322 is a cherry - bought it new in 1989 and it's been kept inside. It only has 400 hours on it.

I figured I'd have to change the head, but wasn't sure about the pistons---sounds like more work!