400 Repower questions

22442 Views 40 Replies 10 Participants Last post by SHUL400, Jun 28, 2013

69project

Discussion Starter · Jan 15, 2012

I stumbled upon a 400 the other day, mostly complete except the 20 hp Kohler is long gone. I am trying to decide which way to go with the engine.

I would be ok with the original Kohler (I have another 400 so I am familiar with their oiling issues/longevity) because I know that will fit with zero issues. However, finding a complete one(only condition I require is rebuildable, but a drop in would be nice) has been a bust(so far) and viewing all the parts and pieces required that are for sale on Ebay, I doubt I would save any over a new V Twin. If I understand correctly Kohler stopped making this engine/parts in 2000?

With that said, anyone have any experience with repower kits for a 400? Below is what I have researched so far but I am undecided at this point:

I see SEW sells a 23 hp Vanguard. Is this a significant improvement in power over the original kohler? I plan on making this 400 operate my loader/tiller etc. It will not be a mower. These are in the $1600 range.

Repowerspecialists offers a 25hp Kohler but at a much higher price(2k+/-) than the Vanguard from SEW. http://www.repowerspecialists.com/johndeere400.php Anyone use this engine or company? If I was going to go that expensive I was thinking of the 33hp Generac(only a couple of hundred more) I see on Ebay every now/again (can't find a website for the company though, so who knows if they are still in business).

Lastly, I see both Kohler and Briggs sell V twins in the 31-35 horse range. Anyone know if those engines will drop in and what I would need since it's just an engine not a "kit". I need both a PTO shaft and place to hook up the engine drive shaft, I think that maybe a problem on some the engines I am seeing. I figure if I repower, I might as well go with more Hp/torque. I do not think the 400 would have any issues with the increased power.

Sorry for the many/long questions.

r/

Lee

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1 - 20 of 41 Posts

jakenbake

· #2 · Jan 15, 2012

Instead of going brand new on the repower, you might be able to find a used vanguard or command with some respectable hours at a lower price.
Then you'd just have to buy an engine mount adapter and probably a drive shaft adapter, and whatever other adapters are included in the kit, which I'm sure the repower places sell separately.

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mikebramel

· #3 · Jan 15, 2012

Go with the Generac

Robert Webb

· #4 · Jan 15, 2012

Lee from what I have seen from the guy that sells the Generac repowers, He buys a bunch of them, builds the kits and sells what he has in stock, then repeats. I am guessing that he is out of them at the moment since he is not on ebay at the moment. I would LOVE to have that 33 horse monster under the hood.......would make for some interesting plowing.

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69project

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 15, 2012

I wonder what it takes to make the kit. I found a vendor that sells the engine in the $1600 range plus shipping. The only problem I see is that on the flywheel side of it, there is not a shaft sticking out of it. So I am not sure how you fab up a connection for the driveshaft. I am not that worried about motor mounts, throttle cable, muffler or fuel line but the drive shaft connection and PTO pulley set up is what concerns me as I research this. None of the vendors I have researched have spelled out(or shown pictures) what is in their "kit" for a repower. Showing all the parts that go with a repower kit would make life a lot easier for me to figure it out.

I agree a 33hp engine in a 400 would be nice.

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lakebluewater

· #6 · Jan 16, 2012

the company with the 33 hp genarac is 3d automation their # IS 262 -745-3251 they still have a video on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aOaOzaK1_GM

Robert Webb

· #7 · Jan 16, 2012

I know that you can get the "stub shafts" from Kohler. From what I have read on the forums, most of the companies that sell "repower kits' dont usually sell them without the engine.

here is the bare Generac engine..............I am sure if he is buying them in volume that he is getting a better deal than this.

http://www.brandnewengines.com/54422.aspx

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69project

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 16, 2012

I found that vendor and that's a pretty good price for the Generac from what I have found. I wonder what their mark up is. I would probably be shocked. I shot them an email, I will see if anyone answers it tomorrow or Tuesday.

So Kohler will sell the stubby shafts for their engines? I wonder if someone like Surplus Center or McMaster-Carr might sell something similar?

I did find out that the Generacs are made in Wisconsin so that's good. I know some Kohlers (I think their low hp vertical shafts) are made in China so I am leery of where their Kohler Command line is made. Whatever I get needs to be the last engine I stick in there. What's unfortunate is if I go with a repower, it will almost be worth what the whole tractor is.

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lakebluewater

· #9 · Jan 16, 2012

If i ever head to wisconsin I would love to try one of their demo units out I do not meed a repower for my 400 but I have been saving their info just in case i ever do i think i would go with the generac we have a genarator at work with a 33 hp on it and it never fails to start and has never had a break down cant say that for our other units.

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MACH1SCJ

· #10 · Jan 16, 2012

John Deere 400 33HP Generac Engine Complete Replacement Kit

http://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Deere-400-33HP-Generac-Engine-Complete-Replacement-Kit-/200652576669

69project

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 16, 2012

Yes, that's the ebay ad I have seen, but this auction ended in OCT 11 and they haven't started another one. I am pretty sure I can source all the parts to their "kit" but the stubby shaft coming out of the flywheel. Anyone know where to get that for a generac or is it a common part to all small engines? I did not see anything that would work last night on the SurplusCenter.com web site.

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69project

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 16, 2012

I guess these guys have written off JD 400's at least where a Genera is concerned. I had sent in an inquiry asking about their Generac engines and a 400 repower.

We were unable to locate a replacement for this application.
Thank you,
Repower Department
Brand New Engines, Inc.

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MACH1SCJ

· #13 · Jan 16, 2012

Mine has a kohler magnum 18 from a Gravely that was poorly installed when I bought it but the stub was there.

MACH1SCJ

· #14 · Jan 16, 2012

there is this---

http://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Deere-...=200652576669&ps=63&clkid=5654289823960970014

I think i'd buy the vanguard before that used one tho.

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Robert Webb

· #15 · Jan 16, 2012

Lee, it is going to be hard to find a shaft that will work on the 400 without knowing what the flywheel has for mounting holes.

For what it is worth, I emailed them last year and asked about THEM installing the whole shooting match and I think they told me 175.00.

Go back to the WFM forum and do a search for 400 repower and you should find several different suppliers.

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69project

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 16, 2012

MACH1SCJ said:
there is this---

http://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Deere-...=200652576669&ps=63&clkid=5654289823960970014

I think i'd buy the vanguard before that used one tho.

$1200 opening bid and the hours are unknown? I should yank the Kohler out of my running 400 and post an ad. Apparently they are almost as valuable as gold. Another $400-500 will get you a new Vanguard.:banghead3

Robert, yes, I have seen seen several repower threads, but my question is where does one source stubby shafts for the driveshaft hook up? The folks that build these "kits" are getting them from somewhere unless it's a simple thing to make at a machine shop. :dunno:

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69project

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 16, 2012

Here is a site that maybe useful to some folks. The do not carry any Generac stuff but it looks like they carry most others. Looks like they have stub shafts and more.

http://tewarehouse.com/Catalog/Stub-Shafts

Snoop

· #18 · Jan 16, 2012

:ditto::sidelaugh

69project said:
$1200 opening bid and the hours are unknown? I should yank the Kohler out of my running 400 and post an ad. Apparently they are almost as valuable as gold. Another $400-500 will get you a new Vanguard.:banghead3

Robert, yes, I have seen seen several repower threads, but my question is where does one source stubby shafts for the driveshaft hook up? The folks that build these "kits" are getting them from somewhere unless it's a simple thing to make at a machine shop. :dunno:

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lakebluewater

· #19 · Jan 16, 2012

lakebluewater said:
the company with the 33 hp genarac is 3d automation their # IS 262 -745-3251 they still have a video on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aOaOzaK1_GM

did you call them they may sell you just the stub shaft.

69project

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 16, 2012

Haven't called yet but I am guessing I will try and get to it this week.

I spent the day chasing a bad ground on my enclosed trailer. I hate working on that thing because Haulmark uses fasterners that require abnormal bits. Why they can't use a phillips/flatblade sheetmetal screws is beyond me. Guess it's job security for someone.

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