My thoughts on the B and P series Onan's that were installed in the 316, 318, and the 420 garden tractors in the 1980's and 1990's. B43G, B48G, P218G, and P220G were the engines installed these machines.
Lots of great information here! This video should be a must-watch for anyone in the market for a 316/318/420. I'm not the biggest fan of repowers, despite the good reputation the newer v-twin engines have. In my opinion, it doesn't seem logical to spend a lot of money on a replacement engine (which is usually more expensive than rebuilding the Onan), and on top of that, having to modify the wiring, driveshaft, PTO clutch, exhaust, etc. to make the new engine work properly in the tractor. By rebuilding the original engine, everything is kept stock and unmodified, it may save the owner money in the long run, and the machine will still have character (they seem to lose character with a replacement engine in them).
I prefer the onans over the newer engines because of the power and torque of the onan performer and the sound of a onan much like the Detroit diesel they have a special sound to them
Great video and accurate !! I rebuilt my first Onan 3yrs ago following YOUR video series !! Cost me a 3rd of what I was expecting and I used all new Onan parts. Built my own puller for the crank gear. That engine now has 350 hours on it and runs beautifully. I've since rebuilt another B and 2 P's. Absolutely love these engines.
Hello! My grandpa recently died! I have a chose between 2 318’s and like I just don’t know what one to pick. And older variant and a newer variant. But rumor is that my grandpa rebuilt the newer one 100 hours ago but it also leaks out oil really fast! Also another One is the older variant. I know the newer one sounds clicky could be a valves or could be more. It also has a brand new clutch! Also the other 318 he had was older but backfires shortly after startup and barley gets going after you start it but if you shut it off it starts back up and then seems to run a bit better. I’m still not sure what one to purchase from them and how much they are even worth
I believe the older one sounded like a safer bet because it sounds less worn out and like less work needed to be done it sounds like a carb or fuel supply issue which can be easily fixed vs having to remove the engine
Hi my name is Steven I'm from Minnesota I came across a known engine just called came out of 1973 Melrose skid loader model 444 the motor was taken out of the skid loader cuz the owner wanted to put electronic ignition on it instead of points
just rebuilt b43 3000.00 canadian 500 of this for machine, wk/ gaskets pistons rods,same oil pump,old crank,cam. Parts through cummins. Too much money, but i did it.
That sounds like a fair bit of money for a rebuild but I cannot comment on how the parts prices translate across the border. I am sure the parts are much more expensive because that pesky border that makes everything go up in price 20% or more. Hopefully you get many more years of good service out of the B43!
$1200 on a rebuild kit for an Onan?!?!? I can buy an entire rebuild kit INCLUDING PISTONS & WRIST PINS for my 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4 cylinder 3RZ-FE engine ( one of the most durable gasoline engines ever made by anyone ) for only $600 from LC Engineering....aka "LCE"......and LCE is hands down the very best source for everything Toyota, all of the best quality, whether they stock original OEM Toyota parts or upgraded parts they have engineered themselves, for: the 22r and 22re engines, the 3RZ/FE, and any other Toyota engine that is noteworthy of durability and/or performance. Man, they really charge a lot for tractor parts.
This is Steven again now the engine that he hadn't the skid loader the only in the skid loader it had on the back of the engine had a little cup Charbonier and express a little weights like you having a distributor for advancing the timing what is the purpose of these weights cuz when they're not on there is no timing light Mark or Flash and my dad had to remanufacture to new pegs weight back on
LOL...I run a '79 314 and '78 316 w/K321/K341 Kohlers and maintain an L120 my mom uses....there is no comparison, will be keeping the "old" iron going.
@@Gippetos I'm with you, my 1985 318 doesn't miss a beat. People I know have to get new machines every couple of years. If it take's less then 4 people or a small skid steer to lift your "lawn mower" I'm not interested lol.
I agree on the rebuild cost. My '86 318 B43G recently threw a rod. Luckily, no other damage was done other than the broken rod. I was able to replace with all new parts, both pistons, rings, new style rods, head gaskets, oil pan gasket, new carb, fuel pump and all new fuel lines and tank pickups all for under $600. Fingers crossed, but it seems to run better than it has for a long time and hopefully it will be good for many more years. One rookie mistake I made was that I forgot to measure the ring gap when I installed the new pistons. I hope I don't have issues with that later, but it seems fine right now. Love my 318!!!
Thanks for the great info. Well thought out. I love my 318 and especially the hydro control off the dash rather than foot control. I will consider all this if needed.
You are the most knowledgeable man I know about 326/318. Any chance you can tell me where the oil sending switch is located on a 316? P218 Onan engine. Please sir
I'm never selling my 318, the B43G runs like a watch (I take damn good care of it). Once the Onan is dead or I get tired of how beat up my tractor looks, I'm re-powering with a Honda kit because I like spending money. Some people have home depot riding lawn mowers others have garden tractors....I'm part of the latter.
Just finished a repower...replaced a high time B43M with a freshly overhauled P220. I do intend to keep the tractor...at least till I'm too old to give a damn lol. It was not an inexpensive overhaul, but still far less than a repower with a new Honda or Kohler ($2400-$3700 CDN)...and the tractor still looks nearly stock and sounds "right".
I have a 1990 316 with the p218 engine. Where do you get your parts from, the John Deere shop near me is having a hard time get stuff just for a tune up kit
I've purchased a lot of Onan parts from Boomer's Onan. You will have to call but great guy to talk with and a lot of great knowledge about these Onan engines.
Lots of great information here! This video should be a must-watch for anyone in the market for a 316/318/420. I'm not the biggest fan of repowers, despite the good reputation the newer v-twin engines have. In my opinion, it doesn't seem logical to spend a lot of money on a replacement engine (which is usually more expensive than rebuilding the Onan), and on top of that, having to modify the wiring, driveshaft, PTO clutch, exhaust, etc. to make the new engine work properly in the tractor. By rebuilding the original engine, everything is kept stock and unmodified, it may save the owner money in the long run, and the machine will still have character (they seem to lose character with a replacement engine in them).
Just finished a full rebuild of a Onan P220 and used your videos as a walk through. Now watching this. thanks for all the info man! Your appreciated.
I agree with you on many of your points. I am also a fan of Onan engines from my experience with them in JD 316, 318, Bolens QT16, and generators.
I prefer the onans over the newer engines because of the power and torque of the onan performer and the sound of a onan much like the Detroit diesel they have a special sound to them
That’s a really cool office
Thank You great insight!
I posted a video on my JD 318 with Onan P218 surging engine at higher throttle, cleaned carb, resealed intake, please advise? Thanks
Great video and accurate !! I rebuilt my first Onan 3yrs ago following YOUR video series !! Cost me a 3rd of what I was expecting and I used all new Onan parts. Built my own puller for the crank gear.
That engine now has 350 hours on it and runs beautifully. I've since rebuilt another B and 2 P's. Absolutely love these engines.
Hello! My grandpa recently died! I have a chose between 2 318’s and like I just don’t know what one to pick. And older variant and a newer variant. But rumor is that my grandpa rebuilt the newer one 100 hours ago but it also leaks out oil really fast! Also another One is the older variant. I know the newer one sounds clicky could be a valves or could be more. It also has a brand new clutch! Also the other 318 he had was older but backfires shortly after startup and barley gets going after you start it but if you shut it off it starts back up and then seems to run a bit better. I’m still not sure what one to purchase from them and how much they are even worth
I believe the older one sounded like a safer bet because it sounds less worn out and like less work needed to be done it sounds like a carb or fuel supply issue which can be easily fixed vs having to remove the engine
what's your opinion of the WIX filters on the onan engines? are they a good choice?? any thoughts?
I personally have no issues with Wix filters. I’ve used them when needed.
Hi my name is Steven I'm from Minnesota I came across a known engine just called came out of 1973 Melrose skid loader model 444 the motor was taken out of the skid loader cuz the owner wanted to put electronic ignition on it instead of points
just rebuilt b43 3000.00 canadian 500 of this for machine, wk/ gaskets pistons rods,same oil pump,old crank,cam. Parts through cummins. Too much money, but i did it.
That sounds like a fair bit of money for a rebuild but I cannot comment on how the parts prices translate across the border. I am sure the parts are much more expensive because that pesky border that makes everything go up in price 20% or more. Hopefully you get many more years of good service out of the B43!
@@mmrbeef I hope so as well!
The John Deere Tractor store by me gives out free Hot Dogs.
are they from china too?
$1200 on a rebuild kit for an Onan?!?!? I can buy an entire rebuild kit INCLUDING PISTONS & WRIST PINS for my 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4 cylinder 3RZ-FE engine ( one of the most durable gasoline engines ever made by anyone ) for only $600 from LC Engineering....aka "LCE"......and LCE is hands down the very best source for everything Toyota, all of the best quality, whether they stock original OEM Toyota parts or upgraded parts they have engineered themselves, for: the 22r and 22re engines, the 3RZ/FE, and any other Toyota engine that is noteworthy of durability and/or performance. Man, they really charge a lot for tractor parts.
This is Steven again now the engine that he hadn't the skid loader the only in the skid loader it had on the back of the engine had a little cup Charbonier and express a little weights like you having a distributor for advancing the timing what is the purpose of these weights cuz when they're not on there is no timing light Mark or Flash and my dad had to remanufacture to new pegs weight back on
Compare the 300 series JD with today’s same style and spec you’ll go away crying
LOL...I run a '79 314 and '78 316 w/K321/K341 Kohlers and maintain an L120 my mom uses....there is no comparison, will be keeping the "old" iron going.
@@Gippetos I'm with you, my 1985 318 doesn't miss a beat. People I know have to get new machines every couple of years. If it take's less then 4 people or a small skid steer to lift your "lawn mower" I'm not interested lol.
Yep, it's hard for me to value a repower over the original OEM engine, I'd always choose to rebuild or refresh if I could
I agree on the rebuild cost. My '86 318 B43G recently threw a rod. Luckily, no other damage was done other than the broken rod. I was able to replace with all new parts, both pistons, rings, new style rods, head gaskets, oil pan gasket, new carb, fuel pump and all new fuel lines and tank pickups all for under $600. Fingers crossed, but it seems to run better than it has for a long time and hopefully it will be good for many more years. One rookie mistake I made was that I forgot to measure the ring gap when I installed the new pistons. I hope I don't have issues with that later, but it seems fine right now. Love my 318!!!
Thanks for the great info. Well thought out. I love my 318 and especially the hydro control off the dash rather than foot control. I will consider all this if needed.
I had to buy the most expensive part on the engine p218g It was the ignition module I bought it brand new at Cummins total $122
ah, the dreaded sparkelator....
You are the most knowledgeable man I know about 326/318. Any chance you can tell me where the oil sending switch is located on a 316? P218 Onan engine. Please sir
I'm never selling my 318, the B43G runs like a watch (I take damn good care of it). Once the Onan is dead or I get tired of how beat up my tractor looks, I'm re-powering with a Honda kit because I like spending money. Some people have home depot riding lawn mowers others have garden tractors....I'm part of the latter.
I like onans but hate takin all them shields off when you have to do something lol lol
Just finished a repower...replaced a high time B43M with a freshly overhauled P220. I do intend to keep the tractor...at least till I'm too old to give a damn lol. It was not an inexpensive overhaul, but still far less than a repower with a new Honda or Kohler ($2400-$3700 CDN)...and the tractor still looks nearly stock and sounds "right".
A decent 318 is definitely worth a rebuild of the onan !
I have a 1990 316 with the p218 engine. Where do you get your parts from, the John Deere shop near me is having a hard time get stuff just for a tune up kit
I've purchased a lot of Onan parts from Boomer's Onan. You will have to call but great guy to talk with and a lot of great knowledge about these Onan engines.
Where can you buy p220 valve seats
I would give Boomer at Boomer's Onan a call. He is the best place for advice on these engines.