Need advice on a 520H re-power

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

OK, checking in for a minute. Got some things to do at my Mom's house. Zieg72 thank you for the pics showing what such a conversion looks like. I like the shiney wheel covers. Also, thank you everyone for your responses, and I'll try to check in a little later before I go spend some time with my son tonight. Sorry to be so busy today, but now you see what my life is like which does not give me time to do major fabbing work for an engine transplant. This is why I need this project to be a direct bolt in replacement of some kind. Be back later:)

Van

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

OK Guys I need some help with this before Monday morning;

I need to be able to disengage the hydraulics of the 520 so I can push it up on my trailer to take it home. Is there a lever or something that I can manually pull or push or something to do this? I don't want to throw my back out trying to muscle this thing around. I will check in later tonight. I have to leave now to meet my son at Church.

Thank you,

Van

[AMC RULES 37,144]

PM sent. :teasing-poke:

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,778]

OK Guys I need some help with this before Monday morning;

I need to be able to disengage the hydraulics of the 520 so I can push it up on my trailer to take it home. Is there a lever or something that I can manually pull or push or something to do this? I don't want to throw my back out trying to muscle this thing around. I will check in later tonight. I have to leave now to meet my son at Church.

Thank you,

Van

There is no disengagement for the Eaton 1100. Just push it slow or it may lock up. If its not on soft ground a couple car wheel dollies might help.

Mike..........

[CTPATRIOT 12]

I think W.H should have made these available with single Kohlers,my all time favorite engine!

[can whlvr 993]

its harder to push these hydros(gear drives too)in the winter,i have a smaller block and tackle for just such an occasion

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

_{Dang, now that is really wierd. On my JD325, and Ariens1448, they both have a lever thingy I can pull straight out the back and lock down to let me push them around like they are manual transmissions in neutral. Looks like I better eat my Wheaties befor I go put that 520 on the trailer.}

_{Hey if any of you guys want to come over and have a WheelHorse cleaning party on Monday.....................................lol}

[CRE1992 135]

_{Dang, now that is really wierd. On my JD325, and Ariens1448, they both have a lever thingy I can pull straight out the back and lock down to let me push them around like they are manual transmissions in neutral. Looks like I better eat my Wheaties befor I go put that 520 on the trailer.}

_{Hey if any of you guys want to come over and have a WheelHorse cleaning party on Monday.....................................lol}

That's because they aren't as heavy duty! =P

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

OK, picking up the 520 today at 11am. Thank you everybody for getting back to me regarding the hydro drive system. Crazy though how the thing cannot be disengaged and put in neutral.............................................

I'll check in later today after I get it home and in the horse barn :)

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

OK brought it home yesterday. Actually it was not hard at all to put on the trailer, although it did take three of us, and we removed the mowing deck. Got it home, went to work blowing all the leaves and junk off and out of the tractor and mowing deck. Right away I noticed the seat is junk, but everything else looks ok to good. Surprisingly the 48inch mowing deck is in great shape, and most of the paint is still on it. Even the blades are sharp. I pumped the tires up good and tight, and now I am able to move the tractor around by myself fairly easily.

Today I called a good friend who works for Volvo Heavy Trucks and explained to him what I know about the Onan engine. He wants me to take it off the frame this week and bring it to him Saturday or Sunday. He says if it can be rebuilt, he will do it for me. So I guess we know what I will be doing this weekend.

[CRE1992 135]

Today I called a good friend who works for Volvo Heavy Trucks and explained to him what I know about the Onan engine. He wants me to take it off the frame this week and bring it to him Saturday or Sunday. He says if it can be rebuilt, he will do it for me. So I guess we know what I will be doing this weekend.

It cost about $1000 to about completely rebuild an onan part wise...

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

CRE1992 says "It cost about $1000 to build an Onan part wise...."

Yep thank you, I am expecting that at a minimum...... But thinking about what a good tilling tractor this will be when finished, if I can get that by just unbolting a broken engine, and bolting in a freshly rebuilt good running engine, then that $1000bucks plus some for labor, plus $100bucks for a seat, $50bucks for a battery, and $100bucks for the initial cost of the tractor, I can be happy with that. I already have the tiller attachment that I paid $900bucks for barnd new. Seriously, the tiller unit only has about 20hours on it. The only work it needs is a fresh gear oil change, so thats nothing. Plus, I have the mowing deck off the 520 that I can sell or save as a direct replacement for my 312-8, so either way is good.

Dollars and cents wise I am ahead of the game the way things are today. My only other option is; Should I hold out for a good running Onan replacement engine, or (knowing what I expect to have invested when I finish) should I just buy a good 520 tractor, and keep the one I have now for parts or another project?

I kinda know the answer to that already, but I want to bounce it off you guys first.

Van

[Rollerman 290]

If your engine is repairable, then by all means do it.

Once your friend takes a look at your Onan, you will know if it's good to go or start loking for other options.

In our pinned "links" thread I believe we have a link to (Small Engine Warehouse), they sell repower kits for older GT's like your 520 & include a new engine & alll the related hardware to install it,

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Van, in my opinion you are making the right move, there is nothing wrong with Onan Engines, If you want out and out power and torque you have come to the right Place! If at all possible I would keep it original. And hey, and why not keep looking for a good deal on another 520 theres one on Flee Bay right now thats a handyman special for $200.00 it may have a good engine or maybe not. One thing for sure if rebuilt properly and taken care of it will last you the rest of your life.

~Duke

[can whlvr 993]

its probally a very long shot to wait for a good used onan,they seem to go way before the equipment they are in,so go for the rebuild and then read up on some of the modifications some of the members have done to there belt gaurds to let the air flow better

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Thank you Rolllerman and Duke for the encouragement to go ahead with the Onan rebuild. My friend who will be diagnosing the engine and rebuilding it (if it is possible) called me tonight to talk about it. So things are on "go" there. If I can get some time away from work

tomorrow or the next day, I will play musical lawn tractors in the garage and move one or two out so I can roll the 520 in to remove the engine.

its probally a very long shot to wait for a good used onan,they seem to go way before the equipment they are in,so go for the rebuild and then read up on some of the modifications some of the members have done to there belt gaurds to let the air flow better

Can Whlvr, thank you for pointing out the rear cylinder cooling problems. I have actually been reading about that tonight here on the Square. Sounds to me like this is a must for anyone who uses a Onan powered Wheel Horse below the Mason Dixon Line. My only other personal experience with a Onan powered lawn tractor was a John deere 400 I owned abut 15 years ago. I definetly will be venting the belt guard if a Onan goes back in the 520.Van

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

OK, out in the garage breaking down the 520. Started at the rear and worked forward. Removed the fuel tank and brackets, seat and pan with fenders, floorboards, right side belt guard, and wheel covers. Tomorrow after work I want to remove the hood, and the (left) side cover plate which is above the left floorboard. Then Saturday remove the engine. After the engine is out of it, then it will be time for a good pressure washing. Everything is there on the tractor, but the seat is trashed and the sheetmetal red paint is faded pretty bad. The tires are ok and hold air but the wheel covers are a little rusty. I'm not really disapointed but do wish the tractor had been given better/proper maintenance.

I do have a question................

I cannot quite see what is holding the little plastic lever on the left side that locks down the parking brake. Can somebody tell me if what I am seeing is an allen screw, or is it some kind of pin that I will have to drive out with a punch and small hammer???

I have to get this lever thingy off to remove the left side frame rail cover. I want to strip all the sheet metal off the tractor to give everything a good cleaning.

[Forest Road 594]

The parking brake lever is jerk on by a roll pin. I hit mine with rust penetrant multiple times. In the end I had to cut it off.They're no longer available. I replaced it with a universal lever I found on some industrial website. T

[farmer 1,075]

Wheel-n-it,

thanks for sharing your adventure, take pictures as you go, when you've sussed out posting them up,

we can all enjoy :thumbs:

[6wheeler 660]

Good luck on the Onan. You may be surprised. A friend of mine has a 91' 520 and 3 years ago it got tired of its old connecting rods and sent them outside of the block through the newly installed access panels . We thought she was scrap. And then we came with yet another brilliant idea. We pulled out the engine' UN-installed these fancy access panels using pieces of the block and believe it or not, J-B Weld. Several days and a scavenged crankshaft (from a different donor engine) 2 new rods, And an overhaul kit And, Lots of J-B weld. Voila! a very nice running Onan twin. It now has 144 hours on the overhaul and is still going strong. We even painted it (because it was out anyway). But, the icing on the cake? We painted all of the J-B welded areas bright RED. Now they stick out like the proverbial " Sore Thumb". But, what else were we supposed to do? We were all out of bubblegum and duct tape. Good Luck

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Thank you 6wheeler for the JBWeld tip.

OK, spent most of Saturday getting everything ready to start the engine. Moved all the bodywork up to the big tractor barn, WD40'd all the hydro linkages to get them working smooth, cleaned the inside of the carb over and over and over and over again to remove all the old dried up gas out of the bowl, greased the fittings on the front axle and wheels and steering gears, and tried real hard not to be disgusted with the wiring mess that was unfortunatly before me. Sometimes I can hardly believe things I see. I mean why would someone make multiple" Half- A__ed " wiring repairs to a machine that is depended on to function properly???

So anyway, hit the starter and ..........................................no spark:/

Had power going to the coil but nothing coming out. I had promised myself I was not going to get so deep in this thing it would not bring me any joy, so after sitting down in imy favorite shop chair and thinking about the diesel power conversions I have seen to a few 520's on the internet, I fired up the air compressor and "Viola" the onan is sitting on the floor and waiting for one of you guys to buy it. LOL. Seriously pm me if interested. In the meantime I will be thinking bout what direction I want to take with this 520.

Van

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

SOLD!

[Rollerman 290]

The Onan, the tractor, or both?

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Stephen, sold the Onan. Just not ready to part with the tractor yet. I am going down near the coast this weekend to pick up a nice tandem axle trailer from a gentleman who is retiring and no longer needs it, but next week will be back on the hunt for a Horse to use for tilling. I will be happy with a 416-8 as my 312-8 runs the tiller nicely. I probably just need to be patient for a while till the right one presents itself.

[Rollerman 290]

I thought you had said the block on the Onan may have been cracked?

The lack of spark might have been an inexpensive fix, possibly something in the wireing at fault from setting.

Anyways keep an eye out for a Kohler K341 or Magnum 16.

Even a later model twin?

Something to keep in mind, most of the Briggs engines or the bargain import diesels (diesel would be cool!) have 1" cranks.

The factory pully for the hydro's are hard to find for 1" cranks.