[PA318Guy]

Back to work on the 318 I brought back from Pennsylvania a couple of years ago with a 44 loader installed. Tractor and loader were complete but were used hard an put away wet. The loader is nearing completion on a 332. The 318 was a non-runner. Seller told me it ran but was a heavy oil leaker. I cleaned up quite a bit on it and started restoration and recording over on WFM. I am banned from there so am finishing it up here.

If you are a WFM member you can read about work already completed. You should be able to find the post using 318 s/n 424191.

The tractor is a 1987 (s/n M00318X424191) with P218G Onan engine (esn J863146817).

As I said the seller told me the tractor was a running tractor and the main crank seal was the source of the oil leak. Before I spend money on the engine buying seals,etc I want to make sure it is a good running engine. Not concerned about oil consumption that can be fixed with an overhaul.

1. Someone had removed the screws attaching the relay to starter housing so the starter would not crank the engine.
   • I had previously removed hood, grille, side shieids, battery, negative battery cable, and battery tray. The fuel line, throttle and choke cables were disconnected as was electrical connection for front pto and headlights.
   • Today I raised the engine and installed new screws (one was missing) to reattach the relay.
   • While the engine was raised I did the best I could to clean the frame under and around engine.
   • Lowered engine back into position and bolted in the engine.
   • Tested starter and engine now cranks. No suspicious noise but engine seems to crank to fast. Need to finish engine installation and try to start.
2. Engine needs other work but like I said I need to make sure it runs before I spend money on it.
   • Left front mounting tab is broken off oil pan. Needs new pan.
   • Fill tube needs a new gasket. I have had to replace this on other Onan engines. It can be another major oil leak source.
   • While engine is out I will replace oil filter/pressure switch housing gasket. This is another known source for oil leakage.
3. Need to remove the left side console cover so I can access hydraulic control levers. The set screws/keys anchoring the arms to the lever shafts are allowing the arms to turn on the shafts. I have repaired this on numerous open frame 3XX tractors.

I will get some photos of where I stand on tractor repair.

You're doing it right, little bit at a time and making sure everything is accounted for! Can't wait to see the pics GG!

 

[PA318Guy]

Went back to garage after supper. That unused wire turns out to be a second ground wire from the lower terminal on the non-Deere hour meter. Will only use if I need a ground wire for rear lights or ground for a powered switch. I removed battery tray and bolted in the relay and plugged in the hour meter. Tomorrow morning I plan to bolt in the battery tray and install a battery. Battery will probably need charging so will get that done tomorrow also. This is what it looked like before I shut the lights off for the night..
View attachment 2579132 View attachment 2579133 View attachment 2579134

I did check the project 318 sitting beside this one. It also has an unused ground wire but is coming from the main harness.

I sometimes think there were a few "oops" on the factory floor with the wiring harnesses but they had ready workarounds if they occurred. Makes tracing wire more interesting against the schematic!

 

[PA318Guy]

I immediately tell folks to check to see if oil is coming out of the oil filter area, they are notorious for having loose bolts on the oil filter housing.

 

[PA318Guy]

The oil filter holder is what come loose, two bolts that are very hard to get to under the tin.

 

[PA318Guy]

I am hoping filter base gasket is the cause of the leak and not the rear main. Am I correct that replacing rear main is pretty a complete overhaul?

Deere price for Onan parts are pricey. Onan genuine parts are about 1/2 the cost if not bought from Deere.

Where is the best place to order gaskets? I do not want Chinese manufactured gaskets.

I would check with @boomers_influence or Onanparts.com they tend to be much better than JD on Onan pricing.

 

[PA318Guy]

Off again today and tomorrow to doctors appointments.

Hope all goes well!