312-8 repower

[Red-Bovine 309]

I see you have a hole in the flywheel screen. I was able to get a plastic one without the hole, but not sure where. Either repower or Honda.

[CCW 1,295]

6 minutes ago, Red-Bovine said:

I see you have a hole in the flywheel screen. I was able to get a plastic one without the hole, but not sure where. Either repower or Honda.

 

I noticed that hole as well.  Something I will look into.

 

[Red-Bovine 309]

The one with the hole is for a PTO. You just need the Plastic Fan Cover. I thought maybe I had the part number, but I don't. A Honda parts schematic should have it and just order from any Honda Parts Supplier.

[ebinmaine 67,508]

On 11/25/2023 at 11:39 AM, CCW said:

Honda GX630

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing how you like that 20+ HP beast.  

[Lee1977 6,661]

Did you get that tractor finished or did your wife order you to stop?

[CCW 1,295]

5 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

Did you get that tractor finished or did your wife order you to stop?

 

Not quite finished.  Engine mounted and wiring done. PTO bracket and muffler's lower support are in conflict with each other.  I have to modify the muffler bracket to continue.  Since the tractor will not be used till spring I have time ahead of me.  Of course my wife was "WHAT AGAIN?" 

[CCW 1,295]

Made the modification to the muffler mount where it interfered with the PTO's upper bracket.  All now fit with one concern I would like your feedback on.  The muffler sits lower than the original OEM muffler and the upper PTO link plate rubs the bottom of the muffler.  Take a look at the photos and give me your opinion whether this might be a problem.  The PTO lever still pivots and does its job.  With the muffler getting hot I sure the bracket will be so too, though it will be hot from being bolted to the engine.

 

 

[peter lena 8,629]

@CCW  NICE JOB ON THAT ! , added a HEIM JOINT  to that  lever attachment  , swivels easily with the irregularity  , pete 

 

[kpinnc 12,062]

6 hours ago, CCW said:

With the muffler getting hot I sure the bracket will be so too, though it will be hot from being bolted to the engine.

 

I'd just use some anti-sieze on those threads. The grease will bake out of it, but it will still keep it from rusting solid on there.

[Handy Don 12,232]

The muffler will be much hotter than the engine block though I’m not sure it’ll matter to operation.

I’d consider carefully “indenting” the area of the muffler nearest the PTO mechanism just to avoid direct friction against the muffler. 

[davem1111 2,030]

On 12/19/2023 at 5:02 PM, ebinmaine said:

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing how you like that 20+ HP beast.  

 

I'm sure he'll love it. I have a GX610 on my GT-1848, and I like it "a lot".  Kinda wishing I had the GX630 but this 18hp does everything I ask it to do, so far. 

 

The only problem I've had with it is the carburetor has a fuel solenoid that's supposed to shut off the fuel flow as soon as the key is turned off. Solenoid went bad in the closed position. I just took it out and cut off the pin. Don't remember why I didn't order a new one, probably just forgot since it runs fine and I don't get any backfires. 

 

Oh, and the PO either put a Briggs and Stratton logo in the middle of the fliywheel screen, or the whole screen came from a B&S. I plan to put a Wheel Horse logo there eventually. I have a spare one from a 416-H steering wheel. 

 

[Lee1977 6,661]

I think Handy Don's ideal of flatting the bottom of the muffler in that area is the best way to fix it.

There might be a 1/4" between the muffler and bracket on the 520.

Edited December 31, 2023 by Lee1977

[RED-Z06 2,221]

Are the hondas good with the side loading from the pto clutch?

[Lee1977 6,661]

There are a few around.  Davem1111 bought a GT1848 with one already installed, There are a couple more don't remember who owns them, I have Briggs Vanguards in two of mine.

[CCW 1,295]

So the other day I put oil in the new engine and made sure the battery was charged so I could crank it over.  No fuel, just a cold crank to be sure all was ready.  Turned the key and just a click, nothing more, darn it.  Well time to let my mind ponder what is wrong.  Been a couple of days now and finally was able to take a look after looking at the install instructions.  Everything looked right, what was I missing.  Well dumb a$$ me realized I was not sitting in the seat and engaging the clutch.  Kill switches.  Climbed aboard, turned the key and engine crank without complaint.  I'm a happier man this evening.

 

[CCW 1,295]

On 12/31/2023 at 2:08 PM, RED-Z06 said:

Are the hondas good with the side loading from the pto clutch?

 

This was the recommended engine from Repower Specialist.  I also called Kohler and the technician there was the one who turn me onto Repower.  The engine was not cheap, but when I looked at other options in tractors it was the best solution for me.  My old engine runs and gobbles oil.  I am not an engine rebuild guy and plan on selling it.  I'll post it in the classified section at some point.

 

[kpinnc 12,062]

9 hours ago, CCW said:

Climbed aboard, turned the key and engine crank without complaint.

 

I've never made that mistake... 

 

Well, not this week anyway. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,562]

13 hours ago, CCW said:

Well dumb a$$ me realized I was not sitting in the seat and engaging the clutch.  Kill switches.  Climbed aboard, turned the key and engine crank without complaint.  I'm a happier man this evening.

Uhm... been there done that... once, maybe twice... 

[davem1111 2,030]

On 12/31/2023 at 5:55 PM, Lee1977 said:

There are a few around.  Davem1111 bought a GT1848 with one already installed, There are a couple more don't remember who owns them, I have Briggs Vanguards in two of mine.

 

The only thing I'm still needing to fix on mine (aside from the carb solenoid I mentioned before) is that whoever installed this engine used pressure treated 2x4's to lift the engine to the proper height. These are starting to get "squishy" and I need to replace those with steel at some point. You can see the engine move a bit when engaging the PTO. The engine runs pretty smoothly but might shake a bit more sitting on steel instead of wood....

[Red-Bovine 309]

I did my Honda conversion back in 2013. It's been great. Used it for everything like lawn maintenance and snow blowing. about 5 years ago we relegated it to just snow removal and put the Original Cab on it. Used the GX630 Honda from Repower in Oregon.

 

I also had issues with their muffler and replaced it with the Honda High Mount type A. I needed to cut into the hood for clearance, but it fit way better and came with a heat shield. Here is a picture of the Repower muffler and interference with the clutch bracket.

[Red-Bovine 309]

Here are pictures of the Honda muffler. Sorry I don't have the part number, but it should be available on line through Honda parts.

[CCW 1,295]

@Red-Bovine Thanks for the info.  For now I will stick with the one provided.  Although you did a great job cutting the hood I just do not want to do that.  I might try to indent the bottom of the muffler.

 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

@CCW

 

Ya could mount up a couple 3 foot tall chrome stacks!!!

 

 

[CCW 1,295]

47 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Ya could mount up a couple 3 foot tall chrome stacks!!!

 

 

Suppose I could but this is just not me.    Know your comment was mostly in jest but one of the reasons I like the 312-8 is it is compact powerhouse.  Also if did I would have to pipe one to the opposite side.

[ebinmaine 67,508]

6 minutes ago, CCW said:

Suppose I could but this is just not me.    Know your comment was mostly in jest but one of the reasons I like the 312-8 is it is compact powerhouse.  Also if did I would have to pipe one to the opposite side.

 

Mostly in jest. Yes....