18 hp Onan engine installed in a 1975 C series wheel horse tractor

[davidtmercer 65]

Was wondering if anyone on this forum has retrofitted an Onan 16, 18 or 20 hp twin cylinder engine on a mid 1970's vintage wheel horse.

I had to remove the muffler so the hood would close and thought of using a John Deere 300 series muffler but don't know if that will fit.

Not planning on using the PTO so any interference with that would be eliminated.

Also wondering where to relocate the battery since there is no room with the larger Onan engine.

Any advice would be appreciated

Edited January 26 by davidtmercer

[ebinmaine 69,349]

I've mulled over putting a Kohler twin in one. 

 

Here's the thread.  

Might be some useful information.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[davidtmercer 65]

Thanks for the prompt reply.  It looks like I am the only one crazy enough to consider repowering with an Onan.

[ebinmaine 69,349]

27 minutes ago, davidtmercer said:

Thanks for the prompt reply.  It looks like I am the only one crazy enough to consider repowering with an Onan.

 

I'm a Kohler single cylinder fan for the most part. 

Also had good luck in the past with Briggs singles and twins. 

Tecumseh has been good to me as well. 

I've actually never owned an Onan of any configuration. 

That said, if one was lower hours and we'll maintained..  I'd use it. 

 

 

 

[lynnmor 7,447]

Can you squeeze a good size motorcycle battery in the front?  Wheel Horse put in a 280CCA battery in the Onan models, use that as a reference when looking for sizes.

[davidtmercer 65]

Good to know about the CCA

I just purchased this lithium battery from Amazon that has these specifications: (L) 5.95 inch x (W) 3.43 inch x (H) 3.66 inch, weight: 3.39 Pounds but has 400 cca:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNT4Y6WV?smid=AB8N6VLFRHY9Z&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp&th=1

 

[ebinmaine 69,349]

20 minutes ago, davidtmercer said:

Good to know about the CCA

I just purchased this lithium battery from Amazon that has these specifications: (L) 5.95 inch x (W) 3.43 inch x (H) 3.66 inch, weight: 3.39 Pounds but has 400 cca:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNT4Y6WV?smid=AB8N6VLFRHY9Z&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp&th=1

 

 

 

USE GREAT CAUTION with lithium batteries. 

 

The chances are VERY HIGH your tractor - and most tractors and older machines  - can NOT SAFELY recharge that. 

 

Do some careful research.  

 

 

[davidtmercer 65]

Duly noted,  I will let you know if there are any issues.

Battery has a 30 day return policy

[kpinnc 12,942]

21 hours ago, davidtmercer said:

Thanks for the prompt reply.  It looks like I am the only one crazy enough to consider repowering with an Onan.

 

It has been done on occasion. Eldon did it with the C520 mod many years (2007?) ago. Of course this tractor had a modified hood, and it looks to be slightly raised in the front. The exhaust was not modified, which is the only reason I mentioned it. Basically a 500 series with C series sheet metal. Of course the hood was half and half welded up to fit the 500 center console to a C series nose. Clearly sat higher front and rear so far as the hood goes. 

 

Very few pics of this thing out there, as the photobucket account it was on previously seems to be gone. 

 

But I've driven this monster back in the day, and the exhaust was stock. 

 

Anyway, I hope this serves to help. 

 

[davidtmercer 65]

This is helpful and is directing my focus on a non-stock muffler (John Deere 318?) as an option so the hood would not need to be modified. 

[ebinmaine 69,349]

12 hours ago, davidtmercer said:

Duly noted,  I will let you know if there are any issues.

Battery has a 30 day return policy

 

 

I got to ponderatin' on the lithium battery subject earlier today.  

 

In a word... don't. 

 

 

Here's the thread I was thinking about. 

@oliver2-44 and @953 nut have some good input there. 

 

 

 

Fact is, a garden tractor charging system just is NOT capable of providing a technically proper electrical profile to a lithium battery. Period. 

 

 

In all possible seriousness for your safety and the machines, don't use a lithium battery. 

 

 

 

[davidtmercer 65]

Thanks for the information.

Reconsidering using on a wheel horse with charging system but I have some Gravely walk behind tractors that don't have charging systems that I may be able to use the 400 cca lithium battery on but I need to make sure I have the proper battery charger to use on it when it needs charging.