244-H with 14hp Onan - rebuild or repower?

[BPaul 0]

Recently picked up a 1991 244-H with a 14hp Onan.  Bought it cheap as it wasn't running, but turned over with good compression.  Got it running and replaced the carb from another that was being parted out locally.  Runs great - but blowing blue smoke - so guessing it is valve or ring related.  Learning on the fly as this is my first Wheel Horse and found out why the 244-H was such a good bargain (because parts are hard to come by and really pricey when they are available!).    Wanted to get input on rebuild or repower.  Everything else on the mower functions as it should and it drives great.  

 

If I go the route of repowering - anyone know what options are available for the 244-H?  I've read elsewhere that the Magnum 14 with vertical shaft might work - but not sure how the PTO set up would work.  Never repowered a lawn tractor (I've done cars - but new to tractors).

 

Any suggestions?  

 

Thanks guys - 

 

Brian

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,148]

Welcome to the forum.

They used a B&S engine in the 246-H so that may be a possibility.

Garry

[WHX?? 49,554]

Really hate to be the bear of bad news here guy but a 244 vertical was not the finest tractor Toro ever built. It was a fair design but a poor choice of power saying the lack of maintenance that a E140V Onan required. Most owners neglected them and ran them like they stole them.

That said a vertical of say a Briggs Vanguard or a verticle Kohler might be your best bet for a repo but even then...adapting  electric clutching might be more than worth...  definitely a labor if love. I've  got more than one 244's in parts tractors and saved them from scrap as lots of parts for my 246H.

Edited May 15, 2020 by WHX24

[SylvanLakeWH 26,229]

[Tractorhead 9,065]

Welcome to

 

i Repowered my 212-5 with an 16HP Loncin Engine.

 

 

after my 12HP Onan dies with a rip in the Cylinder.

 

 

 

As @WHX24 allready mentioned, that Tractors have their Limits but not as Bad

as the most Plasticcrap you can otherwise buy here on my Site.

 

As a Mower it works so far Fine, this Engine have a good Torque even if Electric Clutch is engaged,

i added a Hydraulic also.

it still depends what you like to do with it.

 

As a heavy Puller, the Gearbox will last quick, for a simple dump Cart it can be useful.

Just as a Mower it is ok, but for some other purposes it‘s mostly too lightweighted.

 

 

that was the old Onan before...

 

 

and that was after Swap.

i choosen this Engine because of oil pressure lubrication.

That‘s important for mowing on a stronger slope

Even the Crankshaft is provided with Ballbearings, that give me the ability to implement the Hydraulic System.

 

The Electric was so far compatible with mine, just have to adapt the Plugs and i was good to go.

 

 

After the complete rework it was a huge helper for me, but not to compare with an Horizontal Engine.

The Gearboxes there are much stronger and are lasting over decades of use.

 

Mine was a worker, but i found it‘s limits in the last when hard working especially with the FEL.

The FEL was able to lift 750Kilos, i mostly use with loads of about 80-100Kilos

but thats also a brutforce rape on the Frontaxle at all and results in a quick wear on the bearings.

 

The Sheet Metal Frame seems to be relatively stiff at all and have a good shape to resists the Load i used,

but as allready mentioned it does this with stronger Wear.

 

As my personal experience, if you like to keep it as Mower with sometimes a Dumpcart or a Lawn sweeper

on the Rear, it’s not a Bad constellation, the Deck is quite solid (if it still is)

As a real Garden Tractor for pulling heavier things or for Plowing it is definitively too lightweighted and wears too fast.

 

 

Edited May 15, 2020 by Tractorhead

[BPaul 0]

Super helpful - thanks guys.  Definitely more of a hobby and I know I'll have more into it than its worth if I go the repo route.  I'm a couple hundred bucks in - so I'm on the fence as to put $300 into a new motor.  THat said - I don't golf and find things that involve getting my hands dirty and being productive more fun.  I'm  on half an acre and only looking for lighter duty jobs - so it seems like it could be a good entry point and relatively cheap.

 

@Tractorhead - I'm interested if you were able to use the existing clutch set-up or if you had to modify anything beyond plugs/wiring and mounting deck.    I'm not finding specs on the Onan 14hp shaft size and I don't have it apart to get measurements.  I'm going to try a few more things before going the route of a major project - with the hopes that some carb adjustment, additives and heavier weight oil might help (currently running 30W - might go to 40W).  Any other suggestions on troubleshooting blue smoke or things to try before jumping into a bigger project would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,148]

Have you had the tins off to see if the cylinder fins are loaded up with grass clippings? May be running too hot.

Some Marvel Mystery oil in the fuel may free up stuck rings if that is a problem.

 

Garry

[WHX?? 49,554]

1 hour ago, BPaul said:

find things that involve getting my hands dirty and being productive more fun. 

Definitely our kind of guy! 

 

Good point Garry... E12 & E14 had the habit of leaking oil so maybe just dirty fins. 

Manual for engine if you don't have it. 

492-4714 Onan E125V & E140V SM.pdf