Wvtroutbum81 112 #1 Posted November 9, 2022 Decided to start the restoration of my dads old 312-8 I inherited by building a new deck first, now on to the tractor! 3 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,680 #2 Posted November 9, 2022 Looks great! I think everyone else does the tractor restoration first and then loses interest when it’s time for the deck …I think you have the right idea 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wvtroutbum81 112 #3 Posted November 10, 2022 Thanks, I need to find someone near WV that can be trusted to redo the Kholer M12 it runs but smokes a little on start up 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 8,917 #4 Posted November 10, 2022 13 hours ago, Wvtroutbum81 said: Thanks, I need to find someone near WV that can be trusted to redo the Kholer M12 it runs but smokes a little on start up Do you know if it just needs to be bored oversize, or does the crank also need to be turned undersize? Automotive machine shops around me won't touch a small engine. I've found a couple of dirt bike shops that will bore the cylinder for me at a reasonable cost. But I haven't found anyone that would grind the crankshaft. You might figure out how far you are from member @richmondred01 that rebuilds them. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,209 #5 Posted November 10, 2022 1 minute ago, oliver2-44 said: Do you know if it just needs to be bored oversize, or does the crank also need to be turned undersize? Automotive machine shops around me won't touch a small engine. I've found a couple of dirt bike shops that will bore the cylinder for me at a reasonable cost. But I haven't found anyone that would grind the crankshaft. You might figure out how far you are from member @richmondred01 that rebuilds them. yep I can do it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wvtroutbum81 112 #6 Posted November 12, 2022 Put the new deck on and moved the fuel pump back by the tank, the new deck isso quiet! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,299 #7 Posted November 15, 2022 You need to add a 1/8" thick plate inside the deck under the height adjuctment bracket. The 42" decks are bad to crack right between the bolts and rust out there.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,131 #8 Posted November 15, 2022 @Wvtroutbum81 like your road testers, in addition to that deck , could re grease those mule drive bearings , with a hi temp grease , also lightly grease the pto inner needle bearing and outer bearing . that mule drive is usually in a heavy drag state , having converted my 3 units over , the easy / quiet spin up is so worth it . pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wvtroutbum81 112 #9 Posted November 15, 2022 Thanks for the tips guys! gonna get all the mechanicals sorted and then paint it last. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeepH2O 66 #10 Posted December 4, 2022 I, too, am restoring my Dads 1989 312-8. Haven’t made the progress I feel like I should’ve done by now, but I’m making progress. I’m currently working on priming everything. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,293 #11 Posted December 4, 2022 On 11/12/2022 at 3:50 PM, Wvtroutbum81 said: I think you may be mistaken about who's tractor this really is... perhaps you should finish this one up for the girls and, uhm, go get your own... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 10,750 #12 Posted December 7, 2022 On 11/12/2022 at 3:50 PM, Wvtroutbum81 said: Put the new deck on and moved the fuel pump back by the tank, the new deck isso quiet! Love the very inventive rear chain tensioning system! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
