MIKE520H 0 #1 Posted June 18, 2011 NEW TO FORUM. QUESTION IS I HAVE A 1990 520H WITH ABOUT 900HRS ON IT. LAST YEAR HAD THE VALVE SEATS REDONE ON P220 OHAN ENGINE BECAUSE THEY LET LOOSE. RUN ALL WINTER BLOWING SNOW, THIS SPRING MOWED GRASS THREE TIMES. DID NOT OVERHEAT ENGINE,BUT VALVES LET LOOSE AGAIN. COMPRESSION ON FRONT CYLINDER AT 0 REAR 30. SPITS GAS OUT CARB AND GOOD SPARK. SORRY IF TO MUCH INFO. QUESTION IS WHAT MOTOR SHOULD I REPLACE IT WITH DO NOT TRUST REDOING SEATS AGAIN. HAS ANYONE REPLACED ENGINE WITH HONDA OR BRIGGS. WAS IT A DIRECT SWAP OR IS THERE A LOT OF CUSTOM WORK TO IT. MOW 5 ACREAS. AM I BETTER OFF GOING TO A 50INCH ZERO TURN AND APLOW FOR 4 WHEELER. ANY SUGGESTIONS GREATLY APPRECATED. MIKE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c175inMA 8 #2 Posted June 18, 2011 first off If the valve seats let loose after less than a year you might want to take it back to the place that redid the seats. Maybe they will replace them for free of low bucks :hide: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MIKE520H 0 #3 Posted June 18, 2011 THANKS FOR RESPONDING AND WELCOMING ME TO FORUM. THEY WONT BECAUSE IT MADE IT THREW TO WINTER IN MINNESOTA. MOVED ALOT OF SNOW. MIKE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jusjeepn 59 #4 Posted June 18, 2011 5 acres.....Have you considered a diesel conversion? It may be a little more involved but the rewards (better fuel economy, longer lasting, more torque,etc...) far outweigh the gas conversion for almost the same money. :hide: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MIKE520H 0 #5 Posted June 18, 2011 NEVER THOUGHT OF GOING DIESEL BUT SOUNDS INTERESTING ANY IDEAS OF BRAND OR WHERE I MIGHT GET ONE. MIKE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littleredrider 409 #6 Posted June 18, 2011 I put a 10 horse diesel in my 520. When I got it the Onan was gone, so don't have anything to compare it to. I got mine off evilbay for $598 shipped. It's not a drop in bolt in deal, but wasn't hard to put in. I stripped all the unnecessary stuff, wiring, linkage, etc, and located the engine so it would fit under the hood while the pulley lines up with the engine. The shaft is 1", and the Onan is 1 1/8", I got a sleeve off evilbay to take up the difference. This way you can use the stock pulley and PTO clutch. Don't need the choke anymore, and the throttle doubles as the kill switch. Drilled two holes, mounted it up. It seems to have good power, but it's a hydro, not really used to them yet. But with the control all the the forward, fast as it can go, and maybe half throttle it will pull a hill without struggling. Not sure what the angle is, but it's pretty steep.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,033 #7 Posted June 18, 2011 I believe it's smallengine warehouse that has bolt in convertions, for the briggs V twin, about $1600 I talked to a guy that has done a couple he was very very happy with them, look them up on the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CRE1992 135 #8 Posted June 18, 2011 THIS HAS MY VOTE! Briggs 35 Horsepower Vanguard! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SAM58 30 #9 Posted June 18, 2011 :) and good luck! After you decide what to replace it with... :hide: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #10 Posted June 18, 2011 Have a friend that has 3 520's 2 have been repowered. One with the Honda one with the Briggs. He likes both. Both were supposed to be drop in's. He had a little work to do on each one. Not alot but it was just not drop and go. I do believe he likes the Briggs a Little better. It was easier to put in, and it fit better and look better. He had got both from Small Engine Warhouse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrabHorse 2 #11 Posted June 19, 2011 What size diesel would most closely match the Onan 20hp? What would be the best size diesel to use in a 520H using the 60" deck? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MIKE520H 0 #12 Posted June 19, 2011 OFF SUBJECT BUT KELLY DO YOU HAVE OTHER PICTURES OF YOUR PROFILE PICTURE BECAUSE THAT LOOKS COOL. WHAT EXACTLY IS IT PICTURE I SEE IS TO SMALL TO TELL. BACK ON SUBJECT STILL TRYING TO DESIDE BUT ALL THE DIFFERENT INPUTS ARE A GREAT HELP THANKS TO ALL. MANYBE TO STAY WITH AN DOMESTIC I SHOULD BUT A HARLEY V-TWIN ON IT. JUST A THOUGHT. :hide: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sgtsampay 117 #13 Posted June 19, 2011 What size diesel would most closely match the Onan 20hp? What would be the best size diesel to use in a 520H using the 60" deck? The chinese clones come in 4, 6, 10, 13,Hp for the single cylinders. And the Vtwins I have seen are; 20, 22, 25Hp. I think the 20Hp or a 25Hp would be more than enough. A 13Hp or a 10 would be pushing the diesel very hard, as I have a 10Hp and a 48in is perfect but thats with a 8speed and not a hydro. I would personal go for a v-twin diesel or if those two much, then a honda clone 20Hp v-twin are hard to beat for $800ish bucks. The choice is yours. LOL. Good luck. Also, if you want to know if a 25Hp diesel would eve nfit, then look at this great thread: http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=28559 Enjoy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,133 #14 Posted June 19, 2011 OFF SUBJECT BUT KELLY DO YOU HAVE OTHER PICTURES OF YOUR PROFILE PICTURE BECAUSE THAT LOOKS COOL. WHAT EXACTLY IS IT PICTURE I SEE IS TO SMALL TO TELL. check out this thread.... kellys rat tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MIKE520H 0 #15 Posted June 19, 2011 THANKS FOR THE THREAD TO KELLYS RAT ROD WH. LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF HARD WORK AND CREATIVITY REALLY PAID OFF. ONE OF THE COOLEST MACHINES I HAVE SEEN. MAKES ME WANT TO MODIFY MY WH. THANKS AGAIN :hide: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
