[hec_in_omaha]

motiv8,

Great explanation that makes a lot sense? Adding a heavier piston only will change the designed harmonic frequency of the rotating assembly. Don't want to discover that I have a bad vibration at 3600 RPM as result of trying this. I'm with you, better stick with the Engineers design intentions!


Thanks
Hec

 

[hec_in_omaha]

Update:
I think I have found a donor tractor! Price is $250. It’s a 1978 212. Same year as my 210. Seller sez he had the engine running which should be a good sign. He has the fender pan already off which is good, less work for me. I need a replacement fender pan since I have rust holes in mine where you place you feet. It also has electric lift. I don’t know if it works or not. The seller sez it was a project that he lost interest in and now wants to sell it.
I figure I’ll rebuild the K301 and refinish the fender pan and snag other critical parts off of it for spares, then part out the rest.
Here are pics of it.

C212G (1978)👍

Hec

 

[hec_in_omaha]

Update:

Well I didn't get the tractor in the post above. It was in Texas and I was planning on picking it up during a business trip to Fort Worth. My trip got cancelled so that was the end of that plan. However, today I picked up a a 1979 JD 212 in Des Moines for $400! It was in a similar state of disassembly as the one in Texas. The seller said it was his dads and he was planning on getting it running as it did not run when he bought it 10 years ago. According to the seller the K301 was rebuilt 10 years ago but never fired. The engine was never reinstalled in the tractor. The engine has the PTO assembly and motor mounts installed. I checked for oil and there was none in it. the The tractor was at least stored inside a workshop the whole time. The tractor came with some other goodies. It came with a Model 31 Tiller that's in nice shape! I got a box of parts that contained Kohler Engine parts like starters, a carb, flywheel and cylinder head. I haven't taken everything out of the box to see what else is in there! I also got a 38" mower draft plate with it. The 212 did not come with a mower deck. The fender pan, side covers, hood and grill are in great shape with no dents! The seat on it is also in really nice shape with no rips! I will sandblast the fender pan and refinish it for my 210. So I will begin the process of stripping off the parts I will keep. As for the engine, I will drop the oil pan and pull the head and have a look inside. Who knows it might be properly rebuilt! I didn't realize how heavy the engine would be with the PTO assembly and motor mounts still attached! I need to eat my Wheaties!

 

[Mike_U]

Hec- nice find. From your description, it sounds like you picked up a real good candidate to assemble and use as a spare tractor while you tear down your current engine and rebuild it. In the end, you’ll likely have 2 good tractors and wouldn’t miss a beat being able to handle snow this winter while you rebuild your current engine. That is, if you want another tractor!

 

[TiredDeere210]

It’s always fun walking into someone else’s project. Looks in good shape!

 

[5540jd]

Looks to good to part out. I’d put it back together and use it. You could mount the tiller on it and have a purpose for it. My 214 is dedicated to my garden, I never take tiller off.

 

[gvthnks]

I have two spares for my JD317. An 18 and a 20 horse. Also have a K341 if my K301 ever dies.

 

[jake_vc]

Some people collect spare engines, I have spare tractors. With having eleven, if one goes down I just grab another till I get the first one fixed.

 

[hec_in_omaha]

All
It is tempting to try and get the 212 going and have a spare tractor. Unfortunately I don’t have the need or the room for another tractor.
When I got home today I did some inspecting of what I bought. There was still some daylight available to take a closer look. The box of extra parts had a Stator, Flywheel, Starter, Carter #26 carb, a cylinder head, ignition coil, points cover, fuel pump, new spark plug, 38” mower draft plate, and Flywheel screen. The serial number on the dash indicates its a 1981 212. The serial number on the engine fan shroud indicates it’s a 1979 K301.
There is a rear lift assembly that’s is in another box, along with the air cleaner, battery tray, engine tin, assortment of nuts and bolts, and muffler. It looks like the two front motor mounts have been replaced. The variator center sheave is not free. The mower lift straps are hanging underneath. My 210 has the rear lift and hydraulic lift so I’m set up for the tiller!👍 The steering has less play than my 210.
Time to clear a spot on the bench and open up the K301 to see how it’s internals look !

BTW the Engine Preference Poll has the K301 winning.

Hec

 

[army]

The trick is having a good spare engine on hand that's a direct bolt in, no mods required. Or at least nothing major anyway. The one lung K series have a lot more variations than I realized. Found that out working on my 140. I knew there were differences but there are definitely more than I expected. I have a couple K321 and K301 engines on the shelf that I could likely somehow make use of on the 140 but it wouldn't be pretty. Probably end up looking like a ratrod under the hood.

I can do it if necessary, and I have, but I'm not an experienced engine rebuilder so I try to have a spare ready to use. I also prefer to store my spare engines in spare tractors that are ready to roll out. There have been a number of occasions over the years where I parked my primary mowing machine and jumped on my backup to finish up. Then I looked into whatever was wrong with the tractor I usually use at my leisure. Times have changed but I still see it as a luxury to have an extra tractor. It requires having the space for it and the extra cash to acquire it and keep it in good repair. I'm able to do that now but I couldn't manage it for many years. There were times I felt lucky to even have one tractor, let alone an extra one.