417-A Question

[kasey54 305]

Good morning all. Recently purchased 417 a and I have read that the 85 model does not have a louvered hood,

the 86 does. Mine is the 86 and I'm wondering the pro and con, and why the change. All comments welcome.

 Pictures later, maybe even today.

[19richie66 17,532]

Only thing I didn’t like was rain would get down in the louvers and sit on top of the air cleaner. Not a problem if you have somewhere to store it. I didn’t. Other than that, no other issues. 417-A is a beast.

[kasey54 305]

I suppose any cover would keep the rain out. I was wondering if the 

engine needed more cooling.  

  Seems to me they had trouble of some sort or they wouldn't have changed it.

Edited October 22, 2019 by kasey54
let stuff out

[The Gman 476]

Pretty sure that given its an opposed twin..... like the 520 and 418 air flow would be harder to get in the sides then up over the engine to the carb. Straight down is the easiest path. Probably why the changed. 

[19richie66 17,532]

The 418-A and 8 I believe both had louvers. The 418-C did not. Same engine, but the C was a bare bones no frills work horse. Maybe they just used what they had on hand for certain models. Some had them, some didn’t 

[Cee245 819]

I have a 417-A that I was told on here that is a 1985.  I have the louved hood. 

[JCM 9,636]

@Cee245   If your ID tag is 31-17KE01 It should be a 1985, if the tag is 31-17KE02 it should be a 1986 unless hoods have been changed ?

[kasey54 305]

I'll check that tomorrow. I assumed it was original and a 1986.

[lynnmor 7,388]

In my opinion, the louvers are there for appearance only and the lack of weather protection doesn't make practical sense.

[JCM 9,636]

I have a louvered hood on my 1991 520-H and use it in the winter with a 44'' 2 stage blower and cab and when I back it into the garage when done I open the hood and wipe the chrome air cleaner cover dry so it won't rust along with the front chrome hubcaps, they sure look nice but another thing to do when putting it away. It may help to keep that big twin cool ?

[kasey54 305]

That's possible, I think the smooth hood looks better.

[kasey54 305]

JCM, That's what I'm wondering.

 

[BESTDOGEVER 218]

The Kohlers are physically smaller than the onan engine, if you look at them side by side the rear cylinder on the Kohlers has plenty of clearance and much better air flow and they weren't prone to the damage that the onan was but more air is better 

[tom2p 2,394]

heat rises 

 

just sayin 

[Cee245 819]

I have the louved hood and if you look REALLY close, it appears that I do have a 1986.  I think I see a 2 at the end of the Model number.  I can make out a couple numbers of the serial number... Very hard to read. 

What do you guys think?

 

 

Cory

Edited October 24, 2019 by Cee245

[kasey54 305]

I checked mine, and can't read it at all.

I feel sure enough its an 86

[richmondred01 2,270]

To me louvered hoods are much better looking. In the winter during snow a simple metal cover, with a gasket material to protect the paint, is used. It is attached by using a wing nut. 

I’ve got a few if anyone in interested.

 

Edited October 26, 2019 by richmondred01