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1987 318 restoration ... southwest Wisconsin

14158 Views 228 Replies 21 Participants Last post by  GreenGabby, 
GreenGabby
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.
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GreenGabby
The tractor had a model 44 loader attached. It was probably no issue when starting tractor the pump was automatically engaged. I would have an issue with that. I just don't know why someone tore things apart and left them that way. I think this will be a good tractor when I am finished with it.

Today I got the exhaust adapters and intake manifold/carb removed from the engine. A couple more things to disconnect and I can lift the engine out of the frame. Need to drain engine oil. Once engine is raised I want to replace the oil pan then remove engine tins so I can pull the heads to scrape carbon off piston/head and replace oil filter adapter gasket. When reassembling I intend to check valve gaps and install new head, breather, intake, and exhaust gaskets. I need to order firewall insulator yet.
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GreenGabby
Off again today and tomorrow to doctors appointments.
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PA318Guy
GreenGabby said:
Off again today and tomorrow to doctors appointments.
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Hope all goes well!
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H
GreenGabby said:
Missing oil pan, head, carburetor, piston, and broken rod. Just too much missing to rebuild.

I had a couple of questions for Jim out at his repair shop. Sounds like his machine shop has closed. He has one other machining business he is willing to try but sounds like this area is loosing it's machine shop business's.

Also showed him the pto from the 318. He pointed something out to me that I missed. If the rotor is welded to the armature the pto is constantly engage. No shutoff. Guess I am in need of a pto clutch.
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Running into the same thing here. Was going to have the engine in my 445 rebuilt, but, there aren't ANY machine shops around here anymore. There are automotive shops in larger cities, an hour or more drive away, but, they won't touch small engines..... I am not willing to crank out the money to have a 'new' engine dropped into it...... so, seems that tractor is only good for around the yard, no mowing or blowing duties, as it simply doesn't have the power. I don't really have the ability to go thru it myself.... Health issues preclude that. Not sure what I am gonna do with it at this point... Sell it for parts?
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subllime68charger
PA318Guy said:
Hope all goes well!
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x2 on that for you and wife!
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GreenGabby
Laurie had an MRI today and doctors appointment tomorrow to go over the results. After her appointment we met with our financial advisors to discuss what we are going to do with all the money the politicians say we will be getting back this year. We had a mid afternoon lunch and then about hour and a half drive home. Tired, don't think I will make it to the garage today.
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biker3777
Did the previous owner use the pto setup to run the loader pump
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C
Green Gabby, I also hope all goes well for both of you!
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GreenGabby
biker3777 said:
Did the previous owner use the pto setup to run the loader pump
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I cannot answer that for sure. I bought the unit in southwest Pennsylvania and did not know previous owner. He did tell me a few things about tractor that were true but did not disclose many items I found when I started working on it. I did not want the tractor but seller offered it to me at a bargain price so I took it. He bought unit from someone else so what I was told may have passed down from owner before him. The pump would have run in the condition it was in but don't know for how long before it would have failed and possibly caused damage to the engine block.
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GreenGabby
Cleaning up the top of the engine block.
  1. Was the Onan engine painted black from Onan on new 318 tractor?
  2. Can I paint valve/breather covers with regular Deere black or does it need to be hi-temp black?
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biker3777
It was black,yes they can be painted with regular paint
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GreenGabby
Both were covered with greasy dirt. Intake valve cover is pitted. The grunge on the breather cover was baked onto the cover. Used wire brush to clean both. I have new gaskets for both covers (2 on breather). I will check valve adjustment before I install these covers.

Left side head gasket appears to be loose. Won't know for sure until I remove the head.
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biker3777
Wow,it’s been neglected,it will be happy when you finish it,they are sweet motors
U might think about lapping in the valves
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jimbo316
keep the updates/pics coming, i am enjoying your journey

J
____

2017 John Deere X738 60" auto-connect deck, johnny bucket, purchased sept 2017
1986 John Deere 316, 50" deck, purchased jan 1987, B43e onan died 2017, re-powered w P216
2010 Cyclone Rake Z10 - retired 2022
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GreenGabby
Hopefully I can get you more photos tomorrow.

Tomorrow I want to get the engine lifted and set on blocks in the frame so I can remove the tins to give me access to the heads. Want to start with breather side head to clean carbon from components and set the valves.

Largest issue I am concerned with is removing the oil pan and installing replacement. I need to lift engine out of the frame and fit the replacement pan to the frame to make sure it sits evenly on all 4 mounts. If not I will need to figure out some shim stock so when I tighten engine to frame it does not crack the replacement pan. This was something that had to be done when re-installing shovelhead engine in my Harley.
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GreenGabby
4
Had to go out and turn off lights in the garage.

Found some ambition and did a little more work on the engine.

Removed the left side tin to expose the head bolts. I thought there was supposed to be hardware down inside the frame to remove the cover. Removed 3 bolts and was able to lift the cover off. There was a lot of oily grass clippings under the tin. I assume this was caused by not have a belly screen on the tractor. Removed the head bolts and head. Gasket was intact. Photos show condition of piston, valves, and head. Tomorrow hope to get these parts cleaned up, valves adjusted on this side, and head with new gasket installed.
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GreenGabby
Just finished clearing snow so not getting work completed on the 318. I will work on it a while tonight after supper. Snow predicted again tomorrow so 318 work is slow right now.
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GreenGabby
We got 4"-6" snowfall Saturday. Along with 2" on Thursday that I did not get completely cleared kept me busy yesterday. We are finally getting the snowfall we need but keeps me busy and not working on my projects. This morning I had dentist appointment so I am covered for awhile.

Heading to the garage here shortly. Priority today is I have to get the engine out of the 140 before I go back to work on the 318..

I got a reply from MTF member on a pto he has for sale so proceeding with that but I do need to make a shopping list for small stuff to put the Onan back together. On item that made me wince was $70 for a Deere oil pressure sensor.

Is there a way to test the oil pressure sensor?

I don't want to pull the engine again because the sensor does not work as intended. Probably will bite the bullet and buy new sensor.
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biker3777
I don’t ever recall one being bad,the light comes on when the power is put to it wouldn’t that indicate it’s working,when the power is off it breaks the circuit and on the makes the circuit and no oil it drops the circuit out.?
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jimbo316
gabby

do you still need an oil pressure switch ? i have an old one from my B43e that was 2 years old, working fine until the engine blew up

if you still need one send me a PM w your address and i'll just send you mine. been enjoying your journey here.

J
____

2017 John Deere X738 60" auto-connect deck, johnny bucket, purchased sept 2017
1986 John Deere 316, 50" deck, purchased jan 1987, B43e onan died 2017, re-powered w P216
2010 Cyclone Rake Z10 - retired 2022
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