So I decided to show you guys some pics of my project tractor called the "Suburbanator". Its my 1970 sears suburban 12 with a kohler KT17 twin from a bolens 1700 hydro eliminator stuffed under the hood. I was going to wait after the resto to show you guys, But I just couldn't keep myself from it. Well I got the suburban last year the way you see it along with a free bolens 1700. The engine on the sears was a wreck, and the bolens was just a big heap of rust, moss, and mouse skeletons. However it did have a "good" kohler twin on it. It wasn't blown, But the engine was filled with water and rusted the cylinders. So I decided to pull the kohler and put it in the sears. Well after chopping the battery/gas tank bracket holders, and trimming the grill it fits like a glove! I got very lucky as there is just a 1/4'' inch gap between the intake and the side of the hood. So now I need to go to mark rideouts and get one of his SS/16 chassis and grab the battery tray/clutch assembly, fenders and gas tank. Then I will start stripping it down to sandblast it and paint it. I decided to paint the tractor in its original jade mist metallic blue, And I'm going to use pontiac engine blue to paint the motor. Its a work in progress, But It will go quicker once all the metal work and engine work is sorted out. Well here's some pics of it! Kinda looks like an onan big block from a distance! Enjoy the pics, Let me know what ya think! - Brad
Just a little project......:D
Brad-RT/13
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So I decided to show you guys some pics of my project tractor called the "Suburbanator". Its my 1970 sears suburban 12 with a kohler KT17 twin from a bolens 1700 hydro eliminator stuffed under the hood. I was going to wait after the resto to show you guys, But I just couldn't keep myself from it. Well I got the suburban last year the way you see it along with a free bolens 1700. The engine on the sears was a wreck, and the bolens was just a big heap of rust, moss, and mouse skeletons. However it did have a "good" kohler twin on it. It wasn't blown, But the engine was filled with water and rusted the cylinders. So I decided to pull the kohler and put it in the sears. Well after chopping the battery/gas tank bracket holders, and trimming the grill it fits like a glove! I got very lucky as there is just a 1/4'' inch gap between the intake and the side of the hood. So now I need to go to mark rideouts and get one of his SS/16 chassis and grab the battery tray/clutch assembly, fenders and gas tank. Then I will start stripping it down to sandblast it and paint it. I decided to paint the tractor in its original jade mist metallic blue, And I'm going to use pontiac engine blue to paint the motor. Its a work in progress, But It will go quicker once all the metal work and engine work is sorted out. Well here's some pics of it! Kinda looks like an onan big block from a distance! Enjoy the pics, Let me know what ya think! - Brad
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Looks like thats gonna be fun! Make it a puller :fing32:
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Awesome, cant wait to see it done. I am doing something similar with a Sears 16 briggs twin and rebodying it as a '68 Super 16
Did you get your SS15 repainted?
Did you get your SS15 repainted?
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Thanks Diz Jr! It should look pretty sharp in its original blue metallic. - Brad
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Thanks Hugh! I can't wait to start painting it! Don't know about pulling, But I'm definately mowing with it lol!
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Thank SS/12! Yeah can't wait to start painting it! Yeah I see your super 16, Thats awsome! Unfortunately, I haven't touched the SS/15 yet this year, Except to just start it and drive it around. I'd really like to start on it, But I got the suburbanator and the '68 sub 12 I want to finish.
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Just what I was thinking! The only problem is I'm going to have to build a custom air cleaner box. The intake is way offset from the center of the hood.
I was thinking about turbocharging the engine. I found a site that builds mini turbos for small engines, So that may be a possibility.
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Thanks James! I can't wait to get this thing finished! Its like the engine was ment for it as it fits so well and looks good! I was going to put a briggs twin it it, But the shoud has a goofy shape to it and would be hard to shape the hood and grille around it.
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Thanks GB! Probably instead of uploading a bunch of photos, I'm just going to make a video/slide show of everything from start to finish. Yeah I've seen a few subs converted with a v twin, The v twin requires a little more room in some cases because of the v style block.
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Hi 73Searstractor, that's interesting about the V type engines, I'm not totally fixated on the V its just that I might have access to a 17 hp but I'll also watch for a Kohler like your using. This would be a interesting engine install its a 32 CID 4 cyl Cont. military engine a Cub Cadet just sold on an online auction by me with that engine installed for $1250.00
![Image]()
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Yeah the v twins are nice as far as power and better fuel economy. But they don't fit as far as looks in a suburban. The old opposed twins have that retro look to them. Plus since the opposed cylinder banks sit horizontally, You have more room to work with. If I were you I'd get a kohler KT or magnum opposed twin. They're very reliable and powerful. Make sure its a series II engine though. The KT17 or 18 are great engines because there not jacked up on the inside to sqeeze out as much power as they can. So they last alot longer. - Brad
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The bolens the engine came from wasnt one of the ones with a hood scoop was it. One of those would look cool on there, look kind of like a Eleanor hood scoop.
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Nope, The Eliminators had small fins on the top of the hood. Are you talking about the G series tractors? I'm not sure which bolens has hood scoops. The G series had fake plastic hood scoops to clear the ohv engine. - Brad
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Looks like a Teledyne engine. Some people claim they can work the ports and other stuff and get about 30 HP out of one.Hi 73Searstractor, that's interesting about the V type engines, I'm not totally fixated on the V its just that I might have access to a 17 hp but I'll also watch for a Kohler like your using. This would be a interesting engine install its a 32 CID 4 cyl Cont. military engine a Cub Cadet just sold on an online auction by me with that engine installed for $1250.00
![Image]()
I'd like to see some progress pics on the 17 HP project.
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