So guys, like I said before. I decided to repower versus rebuild, for now. I got the 23 horse Vanguard conversion kit from Small Engine Warehouse. It's not as pain-free as they advertise though.
There are a few things to ask about if any of you decide to do the same. I had to do some rewiring, just minor stuff. They advertise their wiring harness will match right up with what you have, which is mostly true. But we had to replace a single plug that they supplied in the kit. Why they did that, I'm not sure. That wasn't such a big deal. What was a big deal was the adapter plate. The adapter plate also was an eighth inch off on the 2 front frame mount holes, so I had to modify the frame a bit. They also gave us a new throttle and choke cable. Well, the throttle cable comes with a new apparatus, that's to say the least, rather cheap, and I didn't want to use it on my 318, I wanted the original throttle lever. So instead, we just used and modified their supplied cable to fit. The supplied cable is also WAY too long, so we cut it and made everything fit a lot nicer. Some of you may think I'm being trivial, but hey, things really should have fit better. Other than that, the only other complaint I have, is the engine is a bit loud. Maybe I'm just spoiled on how nice quiet that Onan engine was though.
I'm going to be rebuilding the P218G that I pulled out of it, and rebuilding it here soon with a rebuild kit from OnanParts.com and setting it aside for a future complete restoration on the tractor.
I have some pictures, and a video of the engine running, not the first startup however. I'll post them here in about 20 minutes.
There are a few things to ask about if any of you decide to do the same. I had to do some rewiring, just minor stuff. They advertise their wiring harness will match right up with what you have, which is mostly true. But we had to replace a single plug that they supplied in the kit. Why they did that, I'm not sure. That wasn't such a big deal. What was a big deal was the adapter plate. The adapter plate also was an eighth inch off on the 2 front frame mount holes, so I had to modify the frame a bit. They also gave us a new throttle and choke cable. Well, the throttle cable comes with a new apparatus, that's to say the least, rather cheap, and I didn't want to use it on my 318, I wanted the original throttle lever. So instead, we just used and modified their supplied cable to fit. The supplied cable is also WAY too long, so we cut it and made everything fit a lot nicer. Some of you may think I'm being trivial, but hey, things really should have fit better. Other than that, the only other complaint I have, is the engine is a bit loud. Maybe I'm just spoiled on how nice quiet that Onan engine was though.
I'm going to be rebuilding the P218G that I pulled out of it, and rebuilding it here soon with a rebuild kit from OnanParts.com and setting it aside for a future complete restoration on the tractor.
I have some pictures, and a video of the engine running, not the first startup however. I'll post them here in about 20 minutes.
