hemiguy
Silver Member
rs3,
I agree with what one of the other responders said which is check out weekendfreedommachines.com (WFM) which is a site that specializes in all things JD lawn & garden tractors. I am also a member there and I have seen that one issue with the 2cyl Kawa engines like your 425 is that all early ones had plastic cam gears that went out about the hours you have. I'm not saying for sure that's your issue, but if yes I think its about $500 to have JD fix it and much less if you have the time and skills to do it yourself (which I assume you do if you would attempt an engine swap). If worse things have happened I think you could swap in a new Kawa engine for less than $2k. Heck, there's a good used one on evil-bay right now for $700
As far as a gas to Diesel engine swap I would say it totally makes no sense and here are several reasons why. You will not find a good used diesel L&G tractor engine, period. Its the longest lasting part of the tractor so if a tractor is parting out count on the engine being toast. Trust me on this one as I tried for months to find a engine for my old 755 (same basic engine as a 455 - 3TNA72). New ones are $3k to $4k and were custom made for Deere by Yanmar. For that money you can buy a nice used whole 455. I paid $3600 for mine with 650hrs. A little rough cosmetically but runs perfect. So If I now have a good running 455, why on earth would I ever take parts out to put in a 425?
Good luck but I would try to fix the 425 first. And do take good care of your X740 as well to avoid BIG$$ engine repairs in the future.
I agree with what one of the other responders said which is check out weekendfreedommachines.com (WFM) which is a site that specializes in all things JD lawn & garden tractors. I am also a member there and I have seen that one issue with the 2cyl Kawa engines like your 425 is that all early ones had plastic cam gears that went out about the hours you have. I'm not saying for sure that's your issue, but if yes I think its about $500 to have JD fix it and much less if you have the time and skills to do it yourself (which I assume you do if you would attempt an engine swap). If worse things have happened I think you could swap in a new Kawa engine for less than $2k. Heck, there's a good used one on evil-bay right now for $700
As far as a gas to Diesel engine swap I would say it totally makes no sense and here are several reasons why. You will not find a good used diesel L&G tractor engine, period. Its the longest lasting part of the tractor so if a tractor is parting out count on the engine being toast. Trust me on this one as I tried for months to find a engine for my old 755 (same basic engine as a 455 - 3TNA72). New ones are $3k to $4k and were custom made for Deere by Yanmar. For that money you can buy a nice used whole 455. I paid $3600 for mine with 650hrs. A little rough cosmetically but runs perfect. So If I now have a good running 455, why on earth would I ever take parts out to put in a 425?
Good luck but I would try to fix the 425 first. And do take good care of your X740 as well to avoid BIG$$ engine repairs in the future.
