What happened ??? 1981 John Deere 317 Bad Engine ????

Got back into the 317 and ran into a problem.

[@tdogj2084]

That valve is called a cross selector valve!

[@graysonsvacsandmowers5426]

I wouldn't be surprised if it had a bad engine, this probably had a Series 1 engine, and those are known to have lubrication issues.

[@themaniacmower]

yeah I was suspicious of it being a bad engine with how easy it was to get turning over again. Should have been more skeptical when there were 2 317's the one was in better shape than this one was. Oh well I guess live and learn

[@TheIronDuke502]

Jon. It would be nice to find a KT17 Series 2 engine somewhere. My 682 Cub Cadet had a Series 1 that wore out before the engine shredded itself according to the previous owner. He actually sold the 682 and bought it back once a Series 2 engine had been installed - Crazy Isn’t It. The Series 2 engine that is in my Cub Cadet starts very quickly and is a very smooth running engine that has very little vibration and does have a fair amount of lugging power. I had entertained the thought of maybe repowering with a Diesel engine should the KT17 ever bite the dust - I try to keep the oil changed in an effort to make the engine last for a long time. I’m curious how much damage was done to the cylinder wall and the rest of the engine.

[@jeremypulfer963]

Any advice I got a john deere 317 with a Kohler engine in it yet to figure out if it is a 17 or 19 but it vibrates like crazy cant mow long cause the whole tractor shakes!

[@themaniacmower]

does it run on both cylinders?

[@jeremypulfer963]

@@themaniacmower yes and I found out it's a 17

[@saundjn]

Tear it down and go from there. If it's not feasible cost-wise to rebuild it, then repower it. You may find a cheap alternative in the mower scrap yard you explored in your previous video.

[@themaniacmower]

I don't know most of them seemed seized up and pulled apart in some way shape or forum but I guess it would be worth a look around.

[@michaelbenoit248]

I’d just trash the engine & put in a good used K341 or a KT17-19 or M18. This is a tractor for an engine swap, I found one in our neighbors barn, but since it’s a 317 even with all the attachments I can’t offer much since it’s kinda hard to sell the attachments separately tho. If you tear the engine out & get it ready for a swap you might be able to get more for the tractor with the engine out, but if the starter on it works thats $30 the starters on these engines are $$$.

[@themaniacmower]

damn might have to concider. Took the engine out was debating on parting a 312 I have been seeing and taking its engine the rest is junk put that motor in and get it going. Might take the twin apart to see what damage there was. dont know nothings offical yet in still making plans

[@briankelley6185]

I would rebuild at least open her up see how much damage if there is any

[@themaniacmower]

yeah might as well might be a video soon I made a pole in the channle discusson tab if your interested in being a part doubt anyone will vote

[@michaelbenoit248]

Don’t rebuild this thing, even if it’s rebuilt unless it’s a different motor not a KT17 series 1 & or 2 the KT17 engine run has a bad reputation & it’s just cheaper to find a decent used twin not a KT17 & have it going again. Our neighbor has a kt-17 & I’m hoping it’s a series 2. I looked at it a little, & couldn’t figure out which one it was, I could tell now after more extensive research.

[@shaneandrow2971]

Check the valves

[@michaelkietzmann2237]

I have a John Deere 317 at my house and it will not run at all it would fire Butthead no idle I'm reading the plugs a couple of times it has a good working fuel pump good carburetor but it won't run and it has zero Spark