ronhatch 406 #1 Posted October 20, 2013 For some reason while plowing snow last winter, my 8 HP 867 developed a rod knock which forced me to make some decisions. Do I rebuild it or install a 10HP or larger Kohler or maybe even a (dare I say) Honda? I even went so far this past spring as to buy a good running used K241 for a transplant. But after checking out the additional height and not wanting to chop up the hood, I decided to rebuild the original engine using Kohler parts. $450. bucks later, I now have a nice running K181 with a .020" over bore and a .020" under crank. At the same time I decided to lengthen the wheelbase by 5", not only so it will look more like a full size Farmall with a wide front end, but also so I can install a 38" 2 bladed Honda mower deck under it next spring. I never had a deck for this tractor, so I'm hoping the Honda 2 bladed 38" deck will do a really nice job of mowing, plus I picked it up for next to nothing. Please note in the pictures that I added a couple of assist springs to help raise the snow blade. The weight of the blade on the pavement before the springs was 60 lbs, with the springs it was 22lbs. Not only is it easier to raise, but I think the wear plate should last a lot longer. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,968 #2 Posted October 20, 2013 Ron that is really nice! Please tell me what wheels are on the rear??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,082 #3 Posted October 20, 2013 Good looking machine! Do you run wheel weights? And if so how do they attach to the rear wheels? Mike........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 40,740 #4 Posted October 20, 2013 That is an awesome tractor! One thing bugs me though. I wanted to rebuild a K341 last year. it didn't knock but the crank was .003 out of round. The machine shop said the crank was all ready .010 under size and couldn't be turned again. I was looking at $700 with Kohler parts. Needless to say I scrapped the idea and sold the block. Your crank is .020 under. Was my shop giving me a line of BS? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,869 #5 Posted October 20, 2013 I really like that! Very nice work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,408 #6 Posted October 20, 2013 Thats nice, I like what you did with the rear fenders . Good job Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustyoldjunk 127 #7 Posted October 20, 2013 That tractor looks great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronhatch 406 #8 Posted October 20, 2013 Thanks for all the complements! Please excuse me, I made a few mistakes on my original post. Me bad! 1. As you all know, it's a 857, not a 867. 2. The rod/crank is only .010" under, not .020". Can it be turned .020" under? I don't know. The rear rims are 14" GM. I don't know what year and model though. I picked them out a pile of rims at a junk yard because they looked a little like the rims that International use on their tractors in the 1960's. The rims are on backward with 2" homemade spacers. I made longer front spindles so the tractor is slightly higher in the front then the back because I like that look. As far as the fenders, I just removed the center section of the original rear pan and added a vertical pieces of steel to the individual fenders. The new seat is mounted to a 'C' shaped piece of spring steel much like the early 110 JD's. It really rides smooth now. For traction; I add about a 100 lbs to the hitch plus, to help steering, I have a couple of gals. of HD windshield washer fluid (good for 20 below) to each front tire. It all works pretty well. The picture was taken a couple of years ago before I lengthen the frame. It shows the weights hanging from the drawbar. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slovinski 42 #9 Posted October 20, 2013 Great job! The 867 is at the top of my want list. Love the mods and the ability to use a more modern deck, will be on the look out for pic's of it mowing this spring. (hint hint) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinecone 26 #10 Posted October 21, 2013 would be proud to own that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,237 #11 Posted October 21, 2013 I rebuild kohlers. And you can go .020 under on the cranks up to the k341. On the k341 you can go to .030 and use a bearing insert for the rod. You machine shop is wrong. If you need crank let me know I I have several. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timo4352 147 #12 Posted October 21, 2013 Sanitary. Clean Machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 54,382 #13 Posted October 21, 2013 Love the longer spindles on the front and the bigger rears. I could do without the IH stickers, but thats just my Yuo have done a nice job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
octfst 378 #14 Posted October 21, 2013 nice tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #15 Posted October 21, 2013 Very cool looking tractor. Nice bigger tires and long front spindles make it look neat. Don't mind the IH....WH did use IH red as one of their colors didn't they? Its all good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,968 #16 Posted October 21, 2013 Thank you for answering my question. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bean 85 #17 Posted October 21, 2013 the 2 tone wheels look fantastic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites