John Deere 318 Repower Considerations

Couple of small details to consider when repowering your John Deere 318

[@timthomas5944]

i dropped a 18hp vanguard repower kit in my 83 b4g 318. the kit was specifically for b43 g. I had no issues at all with the installation. in and out in about 3 hours of time. No issues with alignment, driveshafts, and electrical. The electrical connectors were exactly the same. Very pleased. The throttle cable needed to be fitted for length, but other than that, nothing. first time at doing something like this and was very pleased. 250 hours later, runs great.

[@MikeOrazzi]

Good info, thanks. I have an Onan b43e in a 316. The metal tag is pretty worn so that is my guess. Not sure what year it is, the actual serial number is hard to read. So far it is running. It is my tiller tractor now.

[@douglasvandyke7666]

Very interesting and very clearly explained. My 1987 JD 318 has 1720 hours on it and I do not have the ability to swap engines so just keep enjoying it as it sounds like a Harley and gets the job done year after year for two acres. Have never used a hydro with a foot pedal on a side hill where I have to swing my weight to the high side, but the 318 control placement is perfect for that. Thanks for the video.

[@dDayye]

I have a 332 with a 3 cyl diesel engine, just wondering if a 322 or a 318 engine would work in the 332?

[@swerobin1991]

Plz can you tell me whot weel you have int front and the bak. Love it 🤩

[@tractorboy31]

I just did a 316 repower with a 23hp from small engine. Awesome kit. I had to lift mine up a 1/2 " to get the exhaust out side panel. My tractor had a b48m instead of the b43g. Took me 2 weekends due to needing the spacers to lift it. The second weekend was good but horrible as lifting engine 1/2 i thought was fine but driveshaft kicked off transmission. I remade spacer puck on driveshaft that was like 1 1/2 down to 3/8 ( friend has lathe and bridgeport mill in garage) electrical has started giving issues as no pto function or dash lights. Couldnt find the issue so im making my own harness. I dont want to cut up original or parts harness yet for dash lights yet so im trying different lights with a junk dash i have then try an idea for charge light and experiment with pto's on and get off seat kill (low priority) have pto on and neutral starter safety that im happy with. If can get charge light to work most likely i will never go back to factory wiring. I need functionality

[@neilschnurr5186]

One thing that must be considered is the amperage of the charging system on the replacement engine. I do not believe that Predator engine charging systems produce enough amps to run the electric clutch and keep the battery charged. It's even worse for snowblowing when you may also be using the headlights.

[@stuffyoucando2]

I’ve heard this as well about the predator engines.

[@MichaelTJD60]

The solenoid-shift starter went into use sometime in early '86. My uncle's early '86 318 has no hole cut in the frame and uses the bendix-type starter (mounted to a Linamar LX770 replacement engine which is interesting), but my late '86 build '87 318 has the solenoid-shift starter and hole. When I swapped the oil pan and starter, I searched around for the B series solenoid-shift starter so I didn't have to modify the existing wiring. Those aren't exactly easy to come by.

[@joesjunkgarage]

Hello, hope you can help with this off topic question. What are the front and rear tire sizes on this 318? Thank you!

[@mmrbeef]

These tires would be the same size that are on the 420/430. 26-12x12 for the rear and 18x8.50-8 for the fronts.

[@ryanmaitland1230]

What would you consider a good price for a 332? I currently have a 317 with a magnum kohler and I’d like to get an open frame for pto and other attachments. Plus a diesel is ultimately going to last longer than the gas.

[@Korahandherdad]

Question actually is a about a 935 … watching the video and question popped into my head. Will a late model 15u pump out of a 300/400 series bolt into a f series unit like a late model 935? I may have an in to a unit having trans/hydraulic issues but it would be an easy peasy if able to swap. Thanks.

[@mmrbeef]

The pumps turn opposite directions. So they look similar but won’t work. Now, supposedly you can turn the charge pump upside down and it will, but, I don’t see how it’s possible after looking at the charge pump.

[@stevekurtenbach1951]

I have a JD 318 and my Onan engine started to use a lot of oil and the wife said I smelled like oil every time I started it. I called around about getting the Onan engine rebuilt. It would cost as much as a new 24 hp Honda reengine from a place in Oregon. The kite was very complete and pretty much dropped in. My 318 runs better with the extra weight of the 24 hp Honda. I love my 318. I use it year round.

[@mmrbeef]

Onans can be expensive to rebuild if you want to do a full rebuild (over bore, valves etc) and you have to pay hourly rate. You could easily spend $1000-1500 in labor alone. Hondas are good replacement engines for these units and give folks many good years of service.

[@Observer82AB]

Great video. I am considering just such a repowering swap on a 318 I have acquired.

[@Observer82AB]

@Jim Fisher Pulled it in the shop and started tearing it down from the rear got to the hood and it already had the Briggs and Stratton swap. Not sure what is wrong with it, but it was something not shelf ready.

[@klikliks_service]

I've heard the predator charging system has problems keeping up with the pto clutch

[@brokenwrench1]

i am a semi retired lawn and garden tractor mechanic . i began in 1969 working on AC JD MF Ariens and IHC. the post 82 300 series were the best L&G models deere made. the Onan models were far superior to the kohler powered units.there are rebuildable Onans out there if the cylinder bores are good and the valve seats are OK and the crankshaft is regrindable engine parts are out there aftermarket and new old stock and some parts from cummings. you are going to spend about as much on a good overhaul as a harbor frieght repower. but the result you get is a unit that will run hundreds of hours longer than a chinese honda clone or a B&S Vangard engine. i just paid $300 for a 316 with 3pt and rear PTO a tree had fallen on and it only has 250 hours on it. the owner i got it from said he had the hour meter installed by the dealer. he had a large garden but a small yard to mow and had a dozer blade for it. so it was pampered and kept inside a garage. i used it for a donor tractor to complete a 316 and a 318.. the 318 i overhauled has 3000 hours on it and the block and crank were std and it only needed rings and a set of valves and guides and a pair of rods..

[@charlesscott1493]

I agree with you about rebuilding the Onan's. 10 years ago I did a Vanguard repower in my 318 and I've never been happy with it. I have 2 420s and a 316 all with the original Onan engins and they are terrific engines.

[@Mark-zz9rt]

Yes rebuild the Onan👍

[@corey3151]

What replacement engine does JD recommend? If I was to take my 318 to the JD dealer what would they install?

[@MichaelTJD60]

A new tractor.

[@davidkhy7981]

Can you provide tires sizes ,make , and where to purchase thanks in advance

[@brokenwrench1]

i prefer to rebuild the original onan if i want to do a repower i find a 20 hp onan of the same family... i am rebuilding a 3000 hr 318 and a low hour 316 that a tree fell on i got cheap.

[@brokenwrench1]

@Jim Fisher there is a formula to determine true horsepower put the engine on a big generator at full throttle then add a measured load on the engine until the RPMs drop and the volts drop amps x voltage equals watts. 1hp equalls 750 watts a 16hp engine will produce 12kw this is how the small engine companies measured true horsepower. now these so called Vtwin 23hp engines are max theoretical horsepower developed at the flywheel

[@dancoffey6345]

Can you tell me if an Onan B43E can be used to repower a JD 318 with an Onan B43G engine? Thanks.

[@mmrbeef]

You can use a B43E to replace a B43G. The B43E is only 16 hp and typically does not have an oil filter. If you are looking to replace a B43G I would recommend either a B43G, P218G, or P220G. All of those engines will work (with some minor wiring changes, starter change (potentially), and different driveshaft (if it is not a B43G).

[@dancoffey6345]

@@mmrbeef Thanks for the feedback. While I prefer to replace the current B43G with another B43G, they are hard to find and have a B43E already available.

[@paulwillard5924]

How did you score so many 318s??? Congrats on the collection!

[@alexanderheadley5644]

All 318's have an onan motor?

[@mmrbeef]

Yes, all 318’s either came with the B43G Onan or the P218G Onan.

[@42the_answer]

What size are those front tires?

[@paulg444]

I have a 1987 with a p218.. I think Im going to move the solenoid relay up and more accessible.

[@glenhale8234]

What can you tell us about reposed options for the 425 and 455?

[@brentbell9543]

Pretty sure you can buy rebuild kits. Would be much cheaper that way.

[@thebrucester88]

Thanks for the info! What's your repower preference - Briggs or Honda?

[@caydengordon3146]

Small block ford lol

[@dantecoviello8505]

Honda

[@adambater2767]

What brand and tire sizes are you running on the front and back?

[@mackendw]

strangely watching this I'm yawning ... :)

[@davidkhy7981]

Whats rim and tires sizes ?

[@andyvallery2987]

so mmrbeef where abouts are you located and wanted to know if you want to sale me one of your john deeres im a big fan and love your videos, very well done!!

[@Thecowboy1950]

I’m putting a gx 660 in a jd420 as I watch your video

[@paulg444]

I'd like to change my starter solenoid from down below and move it up to the battery compartment

[@adanvaldcontreras4283]

Rebuild the onan..

[@paulg444]

Those are 25 in rear tires !!

[@antonioap.machado5857]

Brasil

[@RustyRench]

Id rebuild that Onan them US made Vanguards are not the best engines.

[@davejsullivan]

You made me yawn. Ha

[@mmrbeef]

A lot of people find me boring like that.....

[@davejsullivan]

@@mmrbeef I was just referring to how your yawning made me yawn. Maybe you were bored too. haha

[@cletendre9368]

Very unfortunate that some of you people can't work on your own stuff because the owner is more superior than any of the powered ones so if you could fix your own your way better up with the owner they run away better than anything else I don't care what anyone says Anyone who is mechanic make wine is gonna agree with me

[@doubleya215]

Good luck getting oem parts lol and good luck with the cheap junk aftermarket.

[@doubleya215]

If you want to spend a fortune of cash and time working on your onan I recommend doing just that. If your an insider that has friends with piles of parts available then that's a good option. I tried the channels that guys used in the last few years and the doors were slammed shut. I love these onans but I can't get my hands on oem parts that I need to rebuild and refuse to use aftermarket junk. If your like me, and your onan needs an overhaul because of endless issues maybe consider a new engine that has parts available to order for future repairs that don't cost you a fortune of time and frustration. Personally I tried everything I could and spent almost 1000 dollars just on repairs to bring the old onan around just to end up back to needing another rebuild of the motor because of low oil pressure and endless surging. I bit the bullet and replaced with a 23hp vanguard so I can have my time back to do other things in life that aren't fixing the onan. The rest of my tractor can use the money I'd spend on onan repairs over years like new hydraulic lines, tires and attachments. Just my 2 cents.

[@2naturesownplace]

1st

[@Observer82AB]

This is a lot like a gang bang isn't it? I'm fortunate to be 4th then! lol

[@pikadroo]

Ads make this unwatchable.

[@marshallevans9457]

1 ad in the middle makes it unwatchable? Ok

[@dano9215]

If you yawn one more time I'm skipping to the next video.