312-8 correct engine size.

[Basshawg 7]

I have my fathers 312-8. It has an M8S kolher engine on it. Is it the right size?

[Ed Kennell 39,153]

No,  312s had 12 HP kohlers, either a K301s  or a M12s .   Both are 12 HP Kohlers.

You either have a 312 with a M8 replacement engine, or a 308 with the incorrect decals on the hood.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

@Basshawg  and

[Basshawg 7]

I will do so later in the week.

Ed, how could you find out which one is right?

[953 nut 56,155]

     Om the left side of the rear fender pan you will find a sticker with a model number on it, match the number up to this list.

wheelhorseallyears.pdf

[tunahead72 2,448]

Which works well if the fender is original, not so well if it's not.

 

Point being, sometimes we're just making an educated guess.

 

[Ed Kennell 39,153]

Can you give us all the numbers on the engine tin?

[Basshawg 7]

Kolher 8 hp

Model no. M8S

Spec. no. 301511

Serial no. 1534305382

Tractor model on hood 312-8

[stevasaurus 22,910]

Sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words.  sometimes we can tell if the hood has been replaced. 

 

[Ed Kennell 39,153]

53 minutes ago, Basshawg said:

Kolher 8 hp

Model no. M8S

Spec. no. 301511

Serial no. 1534305382

Tractor model on hood 312-8

The first two digits of the serial # 15... tell us the engine was made in 1985   Wheel Horse did not make a 308 in 1985, but they did make a 308- 8 in 1986, and 87.

312-8 tractors with a M12S were first made in 1987 and from then on until 1997

So, all I can conclude from the info we have is;

1.  you have a '86 or '87 308-8 with 312 decals

2. you have a '87-'97 312-8 with a transplanted M8S engine.

[953 nut 56,155]

17 hours ago, tunahead72 said:

sometimes we're just making an educated guess

Any part that is bolted down could have been changed out by previous owners, all we can do is try!   

[Basshawg 7]

Well i will have to get a pic this weekend and post it. The hood is off the tractor and the engine has been removed as well. 

[bmsgaffer 2,046]

Someone may correct me if I am wrong, but I believe all the 308's had the gas tank under the hood and the 312 would have had it under the seat, right?

 

So you may be able to tell from the location of the gas tank...

 

Look at it this way, the frame and body comprised a dozen or more models over the years with very little different other than the engine, so you can make it whatever you want! 

[clueless 3,012]

9 hours ago, bmsgaffer said:

Someone may correct me if I am wrong, but I believe all the 308's had the gas tank under the hood and the 312 would have had it under the seat, right?

 

So you may be able to tell from the location of the gas tank...