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This is machapungo, AKA Ed.
About two weeks ago I bought a brand new, to me, 1987 John Deere B316 tractor with mower deck. I am happy to brag that I payed $150.00 USD.
It would not start because the starter gear was ground to a nub. I enlisted my buddy "Dick", who put me onto this bargain, to help me whip it into shape. He has mechanical skills far beyound my meager set as well as a personal shop behind his house to contain this project. My friend owns an identical B316 and is quite familiar with the beast. I say "beast" because I am totally impressed with the heavy construction that, to me, looks like a locomotive.
We, immediately, jacked up the front end and removed the two front flat tires and wheels. Next, 0ff came the rusty, hole pocked mower deck, body panels, and engine. Then I power sprayed away a quantity of dirt and grease off the remaining carcass and liberally applied degreaser to let it percolate overnight.
I orderad a starter, online. The flywheel had a fair amoult of tooth wear but we judged that it might be serviceable if dressed up with a file. I checked ebay for a flywheel and found one in great shape for $49.99, including shipping, but it came off of a B318 and I was not sure of a correct fit. I did a little research and discovered that the same starter was used on both the 316 and the 318. I counted teeth on my flywheel and the ebay picture and both had 95.
Those two facts told me that the wheel diameter must be the same. I also had found out that the Onan P218G engine had been used on both the 316 and 318. OKAY, it sounded good so I bought the 318 flywheel. When things arrived we discovered that the two flywheels were much the same except for a one inch height difference and a different cowling to guide airflow. We determined that the current engine position did not allow the drive shaft to connect. So, we either had to shorten the drive shaft or move the engine forward. We elected to drill two new front mounting holes and move the engine forward. Luckily, there was enough chasis space plus about 3/16" extra. Adding four new grade 8 bolts anchored it well. More to do and drink. Ed:trink39:
About two weeks ago I bought a brand new, to me, 1987 John Deere B316 tractor with mower deck. I am happy to brag that I payed $150.00 USD.
It would not start because the starter gear was ground to a nub. I enlisted my buddy "Dick", who put me onto this bargain, to help me whip it into shape. He has mechanical skills far beyound my meager set as well as a personal shop behind his house to contain this project. My friend owns an identical B316 and is quite familiar with the beast. I say "beast" because I am totally impressed with the heavy construction that, to me, looks like a locomotive.
We, immediately, jacked up the front end and removed the two front flat tires and wheels. Next, 0ff came the rusty, hole pocked mower deck, body panels, and engine. Then I power sprayed away a quantity of dirt and grease off the remaining carcass and liberally applied degreaser to let it percolate overnight.
I orderad a starter, online. The flywheel had a fair amoult of tooth wear but we judged that it might be serviceable if dressed up with a file. I checked ebay for a flywheel and found one in great shape for $49.99, including shipping, but it came off of a B318 and I was not sure of a correct fit. I did a little research and discovered that the same starter was used on both the 316 and the 318. I counted teeth on my flywheel and the ebay picture and both had 95.
Those two facts told me that the wheel diameter must be the same. I also had found out that the Onan P218G engine had been used on both the 316 and 318. OKAY, it sounded good so I bought the 318 flywheel. When things arrived we discovered that the two flywheels were much the same except for a one inch height difference and a different cowling to guide airflow. We determined that the current engine position did not allow the drive shaft to connect. So, we either had to shorten the drive shaft or move the engine forward. We elected to drill two new front mounting holes and move the engine forward. Luckily, there was enough chasis space plus about 3/16" extra. Adding four new grade 8 bolts anchored it well. More to do and drink. Ed:trink39:
