Hauled Home a Beautiful 312-8

[Mike'sHorseBarn 3,630]

Picked this 312-8 up this morning! Might be the nicest original one I ever bought! Has a bagger and a plow thats just as nice. Got it running after a carb clean and new fuel lines. I was just gonna flip it, but I don't know about that now. It works pretty great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JCM 11,296]

Big 312-8 fan here. Have had mine for 37 years. I can mow my yard 3 times compared to once with my Kohler Twins on the MPG. Good luck with it.

[ebinmaine 79,759]

That 12 HP is a fantastic worker.  

Some of em just have to stay around.  

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,922]

Nice score on that 312-8. Mine is my go to mowing machine, so I definitely agree with you, 

[Mike'sHorseBarn 3,630]

One thing I don't like about the carburetor on this though is that it has a fixed main jet. Didn't know they had those 40 years ago. My 314 is adjustable.

[Retired Wrencher 6,816]

Very nice Mike. Enjoy the tractor!

[ebinmaine 79,759]

8 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

One thing I don't like about the carburetor on this though is that it has a fixed main jet. Didn't know they had those 40 years ago. My 314 is adjustable.

 

Check the top & bottom hole 🕳 for the throttle shaft. If it's not loose it'll rebuild and clean up well. 

If the shaft is loose in the bore - toss the carb and replace. 

I wonder what, if any, adapting needs doing to use the fully adjustable carb?

 

[Bill D 3,005]

15 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

One thing I don't like about the carburetor on this though is that it has a fixed main jet. Didn't know they had those 40 years ago. My 314 is adjustable.

I think that may be a Walbro carb.  Had one on the 1988, 312-8 I sold last year. Any pictures of the carb?  Tried to replace it with a Kohler carb before I sold it, but the air cleaner plate was different.

Edited 19 hours ago by Bill D

[peter lena 9,964]

@ Mikes Horse Barn,  great pick up on that ! regular for me on any  pick up . is to , quickly / easily  get a  paint save going on ? like a penetrating oil spray down , let it  soak in a few days , then wipe it down with a , soft clean cloth  , next stage , rubit down with  clean miner oiled cloth , that paint condition  , should pop  right thru , any grunge . preserving  / enhancing  what you have is , is vital , after that  , a clean mineral oiled cloth  rub down , will keep it  looking fresh . those plows , really  really come to life  , with  QUADRANT SWING ACTION , DETAILING , SQUESE  LEVER START, DETAILING ,  very easy  , luck you !  pete

[Mike'sHorseBarn 3,630]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Check the top & bottom hole 🕳 for the throttle shaft. If it's not loose it'll rebuild and clean up well. 

If the shaft is loose in the bore - toss the carb and replace. 

I wonder what, if any, adapting needs doing to use the fully adjustable carb?

 

 

Its good and tight. I'll grab a pic of of it. If I was going to replace it I'd have to find a other walbro. I believe the correct one would be a walbro #52

[953 nut 67,569]

                                                       

 

So  you bought the seat and got the rest for free.                                           BUT<      YOU MAY HAVE OVERPAID.                 

[Mike'sHorseBarn 3,630]

13 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

                                                       

 

So  you bought the seat and got the rest for free.                                           BUT<      YOU MAY HAVE OVERPAID.                 

 

That spot is white paint over the red, I'd live to know what happened there lol

[kpinnc 18,764]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

I wonder what, if any, adapting needs doing to use the fully adjustable carb?

 

So long as the choke and throttle shaft tabs are the same it's a direct swap. 

 

I've swapped the shafts before just to make them an easy changeover. 

[Beap52 2,398]

That machine  was certainly someone's pride and joy.  

[Brockport Bill 2,435]

bought the 312-8 new in '89 - with the 37 deck and bagger  - plus the plow, tiller, cart, roller etc - amazing machine !

I often wonder if the 312 was model WH made the most of and sold most? Seems to be so common across the WH universe ?

[ebinmaine 79,759]

4 hours ago, Brockport Bill said:

sold most

 

Seems as though the 12 HP of many year models was the bread n butter. 

 

[Handy Don 17,012]

12 is definitely a sweet spot for price/performance.