Predator 670cc 22HP V-Twin Engine on my 318 John Deere

Here is how I installed the Predator engine on my 1983 318 John Deere Lawn Tractor. Keep in mind that the original 318 pto clutch will not fit on this engine. It has only a 1 inch shaft. But I never intend to mow with this tractor.

[@Creeperboy099]

your voice sounds like a narrator from those old educational 20th century videos

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

Is that good or bad lol. I guess iI sound boring eh.

[@jb-fz7be]

@@WacoJackofallTrades no it sounds good!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

😆😆😆😆😆😂😂😂😂😂

[@wacomellenbruch1523]

@@REVNUMANEWBERN I did not balance the shaft. Don't think you really need to. If you turn the engine around to use the other end of shaft, you will turn the pump backwards and your tractor will go in reverse when you want to go forward.

[@1guyin10]

Nice job on the repower. Looks like it worked out well.

[@randyprevette3903]

I cut exhaust added pipe re used the same muffler! You go my friend 😎

[@mikemoore466]

You have that 80s country music singers voice.

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

Funny you should say that. I was a night club country music singer. Retired now but the 80's was my best years. I still record at home and my mixed sound comes out like 80's.See some of my other videos, I build my own guitars. Thanks for the comment

[@jracer7189]

You can’t beat the old Onans thought.

[@gokartsminibikesandmore9925]

You sound like how Johnny cash does in the song cocaine blues

[@mcarriker5]

Gokarts, Minibikes, and more! I was thinking “boy names sue”. Then started reading comments to see who else thought he sounded like cash

[@cbr600rx7]

Great video. Considering repowering a 420

[@Dave-lm3th]

Nice work!!

[@amwap12]

Just wait till it shears the flywheel off.

[@samualwhittemore228]

Explain please.....?

[@garyalensr]

@@samualwhittemore228 because he has the shaft linked up to the fly wheel. All that torque just might be too much

[@bleeblin5252]

Nice work

[@BeamerTheFox]

Hell yea :D great idea with the adapter an drive shaft setup, an the header pipe an muffler setup is great, love to see ol texans still bringing them deeres back for another 20 years

[@MilesPrower1992]

Very cool. Though I would have gone for the Honda 670. Onans are great but mine is just too old.

[@rogercalhoun9386]

You should have put duos on it. Two pipes one on each side. And a pump on the front of the motor

[@aryabiswas6832]

great build. Keep up the good work. Do you happen to remember what wires from the predator you attached to the john deere ignition? can you show those by any chance? Thanks.

[@randysimmons9838]

Ill buy that ford!

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I use the Ford for mowing. They are really nice, and tough. It's a 14 D Ford with 48 inch , shaft drive deck

[@landoflakes92]

I died when I saw the dual tips lmfaooooo

[@wpowerwagon]

Nice job, looks like you are a John deere man, I’m looking for a 48” deck for my jd 140 about a 1974 model, thanks for sharing your thoughts and great videos

[@warrenkinney1925]

I've been working on a repower in exchange of a tired Kohler 482. It will require a front shaft adapter to run the pto. My interest is with the crankshaft bearings on the "front" end of that engine. I guess my question is "so far, so good"? With your project. Thank you.

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

So far both of my 22hp vtwin predators are holding up good, but I am not mowing with them.. My tractors really have an easy life. One has a frontend loader. and the other I use to work my arena with harrow.. Mowing would be a real test because of the rpm and hours.

[@kerrythomasjr5102]

Gotta love black pipe

[@greenyellafella3777]

great Texan Fab skills, do you have any rubber isolators on the engine mounting? for those asking about the PTO shaft, they have the adapters on eBay for the original PTO and other adapters as well.great job and a great video, thanks

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I did not put any rubber insulators in. Might be a good idea to help with any vibration. I don't think it could hurt. Thanks for responding..

[@LanceSheppard]

How did you do the drive shaft set up? Was that due to the engine rotation?

[@garybrown5655]

good job!

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

Oh Well Thank You very much. I just got another 318, that needs a motor. II'm wondering if I will do the same thin to it.

[@dennisharrison4744]

Iv got a Arians seiarra grande 2200 might end up puting one of them motors on it ebay has the dry shaft adapter plate avalable now

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

It's a pretty simple engine swap once you get the engine set in the right level . then all you got to do is drive shaft length.

[@chaytonruijsenaars3971]

well i guess nevermind, if this is your everyday all day tractor and its an expensive one than 800 bucks for a new reliable motor could pay for itself in no time, all depends on who you are and what you do, i dont have money so i do things cheep and dirty and i have to put up with carb coughing and rocker arms breaking and all that bs but thats what you get for a free engine, it was someone elses problem and now its mine . . .funny how it works, oh and i ride a bmx bike with a scrapyard took 2 broken motors and made one work engine on it and i take it 25 miles from home and back and i actually do more driving than i do pushing so its not THAT bad, besides, continued use and continued problems left to the right person means continued developement and advancement in materials ( side of the road metal fence post engine mount vs 2/6 wood plank one ) and configurations and reliability even on a red neck piece of junk it gets to a point where it works way better than anybody thought it ever could, exhaust rocker arm broke cause they were both intake ones that were thinner and it still lasted for 5 months every day so now put both the exhaust rockers on cause they are thicker and now the exhaust works perfect and intake is way better than it needs to be and maybe even has higher valve lift now and more power. . .i do the wrong thing the hard way but i got so good at it that i look like i know exactly what im doing lmao, i dont mean to brag but im the guy standing on the top of the 200 foot tall mountain of engines and alternators at the scrapyard looking down with an eagle eye for anything with a 5/8 inch keyed jackshaft, i dont know the names of the streets but i can show you where its at, i may have never used the tool but watch me figure it out, its ok if i do it wrong, it wont take me long to catch on, i figured out how to sharpen drill bits (even those tungsten masonry ones with a diamond knife sharpener) before i learned to tie my shoes properly . . ok now im bragging, but you get the jist

[@Bajaheat]

FlyingWldAlaska77 holy hell what a completely random story time that was. So what I got out of it is you have a bicycle with a motor on it?

[@boots7859]

Dude, do you have a caregiver we can call for you?

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

It is a 4 bolt flywheel.

[@jberry1982]

I got dad's old John deere 318 to with single cylinder kawasaki 17hp which runs only it's gotta knock in it so I'm gonna have to repower it as well I was thinking either duromax 718cc or predator 670 or 420 for it

[@paulg444]

Id like to know, in hind sight could you have avoided lengthening the drive shaft by fabricating a longer connection link at the fly wheel ? That seems like a great deal of work to make it fit and work ... Im going to guess that rebuilding the Onan would have been less work. WHat is astounding is that the 22HP Predator is actually 15% less displacement than the Onan P218.

[@wacomellenbruch1523]

You would have to figure exactly the right length for the adapter. The way I did it you can weld the drive shaft length after you install engine and then mark the drive shaft length. either way you should keep the shaft and the adapter straight and balanced to keep everything balanced.

[@chaytonruijsenaars3971]

i personally wouldnt have spent 800 bucks on a new engine, would have just fixed the old one myself or got another one from the scrapyard or something, thats what i usually do

[@chrissiler6075]

you would spend $2000 on parts to rebuild the Onan, not worth it

[@doorguner01]

chris siler yep and good luck with finding the parts Also!

[@deer_hunter_0889]

I spwnt 300 bucks for mine with all onan oarts. And had no problem finding it. But i like seeing these machined made uniuqe. Its not my money going into em so i like seeinf what oeoples minds do.

[@samdittmar5142]

chris siler B.S.

[@samdittmar5142]

@@chrissiler6075 I found my rebuild kit a rebuild kit on eBay for 250 bucks

[@kenkinney4593]

Does this have a fuel pump on it as to use the original John Deere gas tank? Thanks

[@hudsonhawk0016]

Nice conversion, but don't these engines have 3 bolts on the flywheel? How did you fabricate a two bolt driveshaft adapter to it?

[@mikie2501]

I think I'd put a fan blade on that shaft to help suck some cool air over the motor!

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

The engines are designed with shrouding to draw air with the flywheel and cool the engine. a small fan would not help much or at all. The original onan engines did not have a fan.

[@owentimo]

It already does. It's called the FLYWHEEL. Duh....

[@dannypeters4067]

i feel soo sorry for that poor engine that drive shaft is on the wrong side Sir

[@kennethhall1270]

I feel soo sorry for that poor Danny peters that drive shaft (Is)on the right side Sir

[@bwd12001]

thanks I check it

[@6bettyboo9]

Why put the drive shaft on the flywheel side and not output shaft side ? Rotation ?

[@bwd12001]

I was wondering if you ever used the pto on the predator I having some trouble with my swap when I turn the pto on it cuts the engine off I have already adjusted the clutch I have .018 clearance

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

No I didn't put a pto clutch on mine. Are you saying that when you turn the pto switch on the engine dies? That would sound like a seat safety switch is not closing.

[@jjr897]

Chould be the control box by the battery box aka the Brain box. If u don’t have the wires right from the engine that might be the problem. Just run a new wire from battery with a fuse to switch to pto, it will bypass the safety system but will run the pto.

[@MrMikey1224]

What is that UFO flying in the video at about 8:00?

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I think you are seeing the lens cap dangling from the camera lol. Good eye.

[@x01e]

Nice job..

[@bwd12001]

Could you also use square tubing for the adaptor plate

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

It would have to be thick wall tubing so it will be strong. Some square tubing would be to thin I think. And you might have to drill new holes in your John deere frame. Then run bolts from the engine...thru the tubing... then thru the frame.

[@bwd12001]

OK thanks

[@eugenerothwell1263]

Bobby Dunlap oo

[@tonka3293]

Looks good! I have 2 of these 318's and one does not have an engine. I'm thinking of this engine. Any "do's or dont's?"

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

Yep I learned a few things doing this project. 1. If you want to mow with it you will have to build a front shaft adapter. Because the crankshaft on the onan is 1 7/16 inch dia. and the predator is only 1 inch dia. Or you can buy a new pto clutch that fits 1 inch.shaft.2. If you lengthen the drive shaft like I did don't put expand the dia. of the drive shaft by putting a pipe on the outside of the shaft. Use a 3/4 in rod inside the drive shaft. It is hollow. The reason is: The power steering tubes are VERY close to the driveshaft.3. My 1984 318 has slightly different hood hinges than my 1988. The 1984 hinges will not clear the new engine but the 1988 hinges do clear. Perhaps the difference in the B Onan and the P Onan is the the reason for the difference. I Just found a set on Ebay of the later tractor. They have a sharper bend to clear the engine when you close the hood.

[@PolarisJD]

Where did you get the adapter to mount up the driveshaft to the flywheel?

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

You will have to have a machinist make it.

[@charleygrossnicklaus4476]

Im fixing to do the same thing to mine it habdles the hydraulics and mower no problem ?

[@scottzimmerman9619]

Do these motors come with a charging system? Went to Harbor freight to look at one and I didn't see a magneto wire?

[@AndrewSanjanwala]

Was just recently researching this. They seem to come with a 3 magnet flywheel and a coil which can output 2 amps. Reading the various tractor forums, it seems that you can swap in a Honda 6-magnet flywheel and bring this up to 10A, possibly 12A. This is all "Forum anecdotal," so nothing serious to back it up.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Did you have the shaft balanced? WHY didn't you use the crank shaft end??

[@jjr897]

If he used the crankshaft end the trans whould spin the wrong way. That’s the way the 318 is set up. Needs the cooling fan from the engine to cool the transmission cooler. Look up the 318 setup u will understand.

[@Timberland-Farms]

cool

[@bwd12001]

what size metal did you use for the engine base I am fixing to put that engine on my jd 318

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

5/8 inch thick by 1 1/2 inch wide.

[@bwd12001]

thanks

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

It goes the same speed as it always did. Except for the larger tires on the rear make top speed maybe one mph faster.

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

LOL It's right. If you put it on the other the other side of the engine , your tractor would go backwards .

[@robertduncan2742]

I have a 420 deere and it has a Honda gx670 but issues with it even though it ran and stops and runs to drive at times so I think its possible wiring matter but not knowing the hours I'm updating to a Kohler 23 hp. The guy I bought it from had carb issues and it started but flooded so I bought it and ordered the new carburetor so hes not a man of his word but that's beside the point. Love yours and was considering on getting that. Was your motor already open at the front for driveshaft. Thanks and keep in touch

[@brianmerfeld7862]

How is the motor holding up? Anything you would have done different?

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

Both of my 318s with predators are doing good.. There is nothing I would do different. I have not found any way to adjust the carubrators. The seem to run lean. I suppops I have to rejet it. I am not sure it is worth it, because I like them pretty good.

[@KeithWileyTV]

do the hydrolyics still work with that

[@owentimo]

Why wouldn't they? Please research how a hydro-static tractor works.

[@Dailyinput244]

I watched this.

[@prestondelaune3484]

Can you recommend a pto clutch? I know 1" counterclockwise, but will any clutch do, that is 1" counter clockwise?

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I am sorry, I did plan to use a pto on this tractor again.

[@willhaskins2166]

Does this go fast or is it slow?

[@steved8714]

medium

[@larrykeesee1442]

They say it's a really good engine...plenty of HP...retired Larry...

[@Abious]

How has the driveshaft held up? I'm doing a repower in my simplicity sunstar and I think I'll need to extend my driveshaft and I'm wondering how much balance comes into play.

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

The drive shaft is holding up good. No problems. . On the John Deere the drive shaft is hollow. So you can extend it by putting a pipe around the outside or a solid rod on the inside. Either way it must me a good fit and on center. Or it will vibrate bad.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

If youn do such see if a local automotive drive shaft company can balance it, if not it will gradually shake that engine apart

[@volcanowb]

Shoot! Almost subscribed until I saw the Ford. Lol

[@robbarchigian4503]

welp, found the Saab guy.

[@wsturner55]

What size battery is that??

[@richardlamb5263]

how do you get the battery to keep a charge, like how do you get the charging system to work

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

This engine comes from the factory ready to go. All you have to do is hook up a batter, a gas tank, put in the oil. and start it. The charging wire is already wired to the battery cable. If I remember right.

[@billmers3219]

Hey man, how's that motor working out for you?

[@wacomellenbruch1523]

Great, I installed two of them in 328s. I didn't really hae much to do to them after installation. I have since sold them both. I would recommend them.

[@wacomellenbruch1523]

Sorry my spelling i installed them in 318s.. not 328s

[@ayp1938]

That motor runs about 700 bucks for a china engine for a few hundred more you could have got a Kohler command or a Briggs vanguard that will last alot longer

[@hudsonhawk0016]

More like $600 for the equivalent vanguard.

[@bwd12001]

Why did you have to raise the engine

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I raised the engine so the crankshaft would be the same height as the original Onan engine crankshaft That way the drive shaft will line up level. I think you could set it a little lower without trouble. The onan engine crank is 1 9/16inch higher than the Predator. Check how close the drive shaft runs to the power steering lines. Very close. You can't raise it higher than the onan was, and you must be centered. Or you could rub a hole in a steering line. They are very hard to replace. I think you would be safe in lowering the engine 1/4 inch more than I did. . You don't want vibration from the driveshaft.

[@bwd12001]

Ok thanks

[@dennisharrison4744]

That's the same set up as my kohler that's way my mower is drive shaft goes to the mag side it come drone the factory that way you will never shear the mag off don't geus peoples ever tried to get one off there bad hard to lol

[@MrHarmonizr]

How'd you attach the shaft to the front side of the engine?

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I am not sure what you are asking. I did not attach a pto clutch on the front of the engine. The old clutch from the Onan engine will not fit. I am not planning to mow with this tractor ever.

[@tebibyte2357]

He simply flipped the engine around.

[@mic982]

22hp off a 670 cc? Must be the 'new' hp method of calculation. Certainly not the old

[@corbinboltz3666]

Mic its possible we have a kohler 20 hp single cyl under 600 cc

[@MilesPrower1992]

Could be modern designs are so much better

[@owentimo]

My Vanguard 23 HP is a 627cc engine.

[@1guyin10]

Overhead valve engines make more hp.

[@richardgray115]

The sound is very.... Distorted and tinny

[@rwj99]

PTO adapter ??

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I did not use my front PTO clutch. I am not planning to mow with this tractor. If you want to mow with yours after you install the Predator, I would buy a new pto clutch tat fits the 1 inch shaft on the Predator. The old onan engine has a much bigger shaft. 1 7/16 inch I think.

[@squarebodycasewademckenney6190]

you put the drive shaft on the wrong side...

[@silentdeath9237]

Squarebody Case /Wade McKenney on these tractors the hydro PTO is driven off the flywheel side the equipment is driven from the PTO side of the engine the ONAN is the same way.

[@steved8714]

I think it's pretty obvious he didn't

[@markchidester6239]

And what would happen if you turn the engine around? Think about it.

[@josephhenson8843]

Fab up paper towel holder

[@jamesmcgarity4330]

Show me mini bike parts search

[@ryderlisowski6296]

Too small of exhaust pipe

[@tonysharp9067]

I never understand why some people do what they do! You trash an Onan engine rather than fix it and you replace it with a cheap Chinese engine that doesn't come close to fitting and even when you get it in there you still don't have a complete tractor you can mow with. For all the time and money you spent you could have fixed the Onan. SMH

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

tony Sharp predators are actually pretty good engines

[@thegeokiller1529]

Doctor Feinstone but still

[@stevelamperta865]

the predator engine is a much better engine. much more dependable and much more power. and why cant he mow with the tractor now ? from what I have seen the onan engines were a lot of trouble.... I did the same thing to my bolens tractor. its the best commercial engine ive ever seen !!!

[@stevelamperta865]

your not very sharp at all are you...

[@samdittmar5142]

@@stevelamperta865 my onan p216g engine would kick that things ass when I comes to torque. It is the same engine that came out of this tractor originally, just rated at 2 less hp. My onan has never failed me and has always been much less upkeep and has been more reliable than my predator engines. And I say it will beat it in torque because it is a 43 cubic inch engine and the 670 is a 41 cubic inch engine. No replacement for displacement. Plus my onan has 1500 hours on it and it is running strong. Only time will tell the true preformer. Not so sharp you are.

[@muonwap]

How did you make the adapter for the drive shaft?

[@WacoJackofallTrades]

I had a machinist make it. I think he used 3 inch round stock 2 inches long. It has to be perfectly centered so it will be balanced.. 3 bolts thru the adapter must be countersunk so the drive shaft can fit flat against the adapter. Then he drilled to holed with threads in to hold the drive shaft on.. I was thinking of a different way to do it. I will talk to him and see if he agrees with me. Then let you know here

[@KeithWileyTV]

WacoJackofallTrades I think someone is selling that part already machined for Predator swap on ebay.

[@mariankafadarov3470]

Hey Keith Wiley, do you have some link or seller address for this part? Thanks!

[@TheVinnivee]

Please let me know where I can get that adapter plate [e-mail]