Thanks for this series. I just picked up a second 318, with a 49 snowthrower, cab, wheel weights, and chains. But it's in about the same shape yours was when you started, so I'm grateful for these videos, which I'll use to guide my project. The first 318 I bought in 1987, and I replaced the Onan, when it got to be too problematic, with the Vanguard as you've done. It's been reliable and the power is nice. The only thing I don't have is enough garage space to work on them... I hope to remedy that in the spring. Many thanks for the videos.
The funny part is that your son will probably get into the tractor hobby like I did & will most likely restore this thing again after many more years of service. I wish you were restoring the stock motor, there’s probably a few guys that would buy that motor as is for a project or to restore & put in a 317.
Help me understand, you’re going to take out the original Onan engine. Which runs pretty well, and replace it with a harbor freight engine? That’s a horrible idea.
Thanks for the insightful thoughts. The onan ran marginally-well. I elected to install a Briggs Vanguard instead. Also, the Harbor Freight engines get a bad rap, but seem to be a great alternative for someone who wants a new engine without unlimited funds. I’ll post a video soon of the finished tractor, I hope you like it.
@@squirrel8171 True, but that should be standard. Unfortunately it isn´t so I agree it´s nice to see that there are at least a fiew polite people on TH-cam.
Awesome I love it! I got a 332 16 hp diesel 997 hours. My neighbour gave me from the 90's rotary blades plow and mcs with the 4.5 small engine. I want to restore it like yours. I want to learn how to take apart. Thank you for your video I will watch them all!
If you are willing to raise the gas tank/rear fender/seat putting those cooling elements in the back could work and you could retain the possible use of your rear pto shaft.
Fully agree. Hearing that he was planning to put a crappy predator engine in there makes me want to run away. Thank god he went with a Briggs at least. Still, there would have been no reason to put a new engine in in the first place. If you look for parts you find them, people just don´t have enough patience.
All the cooling air is flowing in from under the tractor and around the dash pedestal area. You won't be getting any airflow from the back of the tractor, so I don't know how effective it would be to put a radiator or cooling fan in the rear. All the heat from the transaxle will be radiating off in that area. Just my two cents. But you have a nice candidate for a restoration, nonetheless.
MichaelTJD60: great point. The radiator I picked has an electric fan which will push air from around the transmission, through the radiator, and out the top. (Can be seen in other videos). My goal is to remove as much heat as possibly from engine bay. In theory, the air will be cooler into the engine because it won’t pass through the hydro coolers first. Anyways, great point!
To a certain point you can’t have something to powerful up front cuz then you can fry the transmission, hp doesn’t kill transmissions torque does, well high rpms as well, but you get the point.
Thanks for this series. I just picked up a second 318, with a 49 snowthrower, cab, wheel weights, and chains. But it's in about the same shape yours was when you started, so I'm grateful for these videos, which I'll use to guide my project. The first 318 I bought in 1987, and I replaced the Onan, when it got to be too problematic, with the Vanguard as you've done. It's been reliable and the power is nice. The only thing I don't have is enough garage space to work on them... I hope to remedy that in the spring. Many thanks for the videos.
The funny part is that your son will probably get into the tractor hobby like I did & will most likely restore this thing again after many more years of service.
I wish you were restoring the stock motor, there’s probably a few guys that would buy that motor as is for a project or to restore & put in a 317.
Onan was the best motor ever to be put in a garden tractor.....
Help me understand, you’re going to take out the original Onan engine. Which runs pretty well, and replace it with a harbor freight engine?
That’s a horrible idea.
Thanks for the insightful thoughts. The onan ran marginally-well. I elected to install a Briggs Vanguard instead. Also, the Harbor Freight engines get a bad rap, but seem to be a great alternative for someone who wants a new engine without unlimited funds. I’ll post a video soon of the finished tractor, I hope you like it.
@@BobWilson84 I love how polite you are.
@@squirrel8171 True, but that should be standard. Unfortunately it isn´t so I agree it´s nice to see that there are at least a fiew polite people on TH-cam.
Couldn´t agree more. At least it endet up beeing a Briggs, but still. Not my style...
The predator engines are really good. A lot of gocart people are using them. I won't buy one due to they come from China.
Predator 670 is 15% less displacement than the Onan.
Awesome I love it! I got a 332 16 hp diesel 997 hours. My neighbour gave me from the 90's rotary blades plow and mcs with the 4.5 small engine. I want to restore it like yours. I want to learn how to take apart. Thank you for your video I will watch them all!
Excellent project you have there! Good luck and let me know if you have any questions along the way.
If you are willing to raise the gas tank/rear fender/seat putting those cooling elements in the back could work and you could retain the possible use of your rear pto shaft.
I would just get that Onan running again can't beat them.
Fully agree. Hearing that he was planning to put a crappy predator engine in there makes me want to run away. Thank god he went with a Briggs at least. Still, there would have been no reason to put a new engine in in the first place. If you look for parts you find them, people just don´t have enough patience.
All the cooling air is flowing in from under the tractor and around the dash pedestal area. You won't be getting any airflow from the back of the tractor, so I don't know how effective it would be to put a radiator or cooling fan in the rear. All the heat from the transaxle will be radiating off in that area. Just my two cents. But you have a nice candidate for a restoration, nonetheless.
MichaelTJD60: great point. The radiator I picked has an electric fan which will push air from around the transmission, through the radiator, and out the top. (Can be seen in other videos). My goal is to remove as much heat as possibly from engine bay. In theory, the air will be cooler into the engine because it won’t pass through the hydro coolers first. Anyways, great point!
what did you end up doing with the 332?
Imagine the 670 with a stage 4 kit on that. Damn that would be cool.
To a certain point you can’t have something to powerful up front cuz then you can fry the transmission, hp doesn’t kill transmissions torque does, well high rpms as well, but you get the point.
Is there a part 2
Yeup, it’s out there
You got a first class little helper, going to let him drive it when done?
Yes sir! The power steering and forward speed limit makes it really easy for him. -He’ll be tooling around the yard this Spring !
I’d pay big money for you to restore my 330!
All it takes is money. :D
@@BobWilson84 how much 😄
@@HalfmoonVIP You said big money, so how about a big pile of hundreds :) !
@@BobWilson84 Whatever the cost i’m all in for it