[dwhitt03]

What is the latest on repower vendors? I did a repower on a 316 using a Honda from SEW several years back. Worked OK except learning curve was a little steep. Poor instructions but I figured it out.

have purchased a 316 which came with the original B43 engine (out of tractor) which is complete EXCEPT the pistons and connecting rods were in a box, broken. Haven't looked inside the block but suspect it came this way for a reason. Thinking repower. Any advice on vendors?

 

[mrmondo]

Haven't bought a repower through this guy but if I need to do another I would get it from him. Have heard lots of positive things about Jim's Repair. http://www.jimsrepairjimstractors.com/john-deere-lawn-tractor.htm

Got one for the 314 from SEW was pretty good deal but have heard negative things from some.

 

[knottyrope]

its a ford vs chevy thing

you can search repower on here and see many views of people that have gone that route

 

[rustyknuckles]

There seem to be widely varying opinions, one way or the other. From any one vendor, some have a very positive experience, others not so much. Not sure why this should be - maybe minor differences in the dimensions of the original tractors, during a production run? Anyway, it is evidently something of a (forbidden four-letter word starting with a "c") shoot.

 

[dwhitt03]

I did review all the posts and I agree it depends on case by case. The SEW pricing is very good and I have had no problems with other 316. Just the instructions were very vague. Wound up doing some things twice because I did things out of sequence.

May even look at having the Onan rebuilt if block is good. Have good Onan dealer here with prices that are much better than JD.

 

[pm082576]

T.H.E. Company!!

 

[mydeskclock]

For what it's worth, I went with a Honda from S.E.W. a number of years back for my 318. Their kit and instructions were pretty good. There were a few things that were not perfect like the exact position of the muffler and the kluge dipstick. But overall good. Prior to buying it, I called Jim's as Tim suggested. Jim actually spent a half hour on the phone with me. He didn't push, was very informative and gave me all the reasons the Vanguard was the better choice. I chose to save a few bucks and go with the Honda.

It's worked out ok, SEW was good to deal with and it's a strong engine, but pretty much everything Jim told me came true: heat issues, (I've got to run it in the summer with the shields off) carb issues, higher gas use etc. If I was starting again today I'd likely call Jim's. But that's just my 2 cents worth.

 

[ab318]

Darrell,
I have a Honda GX670 in my 318 since 2007 and didn't had any problem.
I add an oil temperature gauge because I was concern about this overheating urban legend.
The oil temperature is always very low and most of the time too low.
Andre

 

[dalekast]

Re-powered my 318 w/ a Honda GX 630 from T.H.E. Company; love the motor, but not T.H.E. experience.

 

[jon_nw_iowa]

Repowered a 420 with a Vangard from Jim. Absolutely positive. I made my own motor mount. Everything worked and Vangard makes the 420 a gem. Went with the 18 hp cuz all we do is mow with it. Plenty of power.

 

[mikeduwe]

Or, if your really mechanically inclined, you can just make your own repower "kit" and maybe buy a few small pieces to make life easier/if you dont have the capability to do it yourself:

http://www.wfmachines.com/discus/messages/335/255175.html

I found the kits too incomplete and they do dumb stuff like hack holes in grills for alternate exhaust pipes and other thing like that.