Hodge71 665 #1 Posted November 25, 2012 Just wondering if all of the K series twins ( K482, 532, 582, 662) will fit into my 18 Auto. I think the engine is on its last leg and I'd love to buy a complete engine and rebuild it for some serious, clean relaible power. The 60 inch deck has this thing tapping the governor sitting still and when I'm cutting and going it up hill, well lets just say I might as well give up doing both together. Plus it smokes like a pig. I'm thinking of rebuilding the donor engine and just swapping the both of them..... Done deal....Any ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #2 Posted November 25, 2012 Jeff, You might want to check before investing in another K, but I believe the connecting rods for the K twins are no longer available. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1maidenfan 202 #3 Posted November 25, 2012 My 18 auto has a 20 hp kohler in it, was replaced by previous owner. I would say that even the onan twin will work. :techie-eureka: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midnight rambler 36 #4 Posted November 25, 2012 another idea is to look for a magnum series, they are newer and more availible, i just sold 2 20hp k series from Ds i almost gave them away due to the fact that they are to heavy to ship, good luck on your repower, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesBe1 84 #5 Posted November 25, 2012 Yes, they are all interchangeable if they were made for wheel horse. The only difference in the engines is the displacement. Other than that, they are the same. Bolens & Deere both used a K532 that was different. Not sure if that would be an easy swap. Probably a different PTO setup and different output on the flywheel side. Might have to change the flywheel. I recall the grass screen that you gave me had to have the center hole enlarged to accept the wheel horse coupler. I think you said it was from a K532 which if it were for a Bolens or a Deere would explain the difference. Unless you are sure the other engines were made for a wheel horse, you run a risk of having to do some modifications. Might still be worth it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 665 #6 Posted November 25, 2012 Refrac, I was worried about that too but I have found a couple kits on fleabay that had new rods and pistons in them. Granted it was $400 for the complete kit but Still found them. Maiden, I'm not sure that 20 would be enough truthfully. This 60 inch deck is a beast to get rolling. I cant understand how the hell they ran that 60 rearmount PTO deck on these things withoutan issue. Youd think there would be more mass to get rolling with the shaft and gearboxes etc. I definitely dont plan on putting an Onan in it either. Too many mods to make it work..... Tom, How would a magnum series work out due to the PTO setup the D has and the fact that the hydro pump is directly driven froim the flywheel side with the rubber coupler? Anyone doen this swap before? Another idea I had was throwing a new Kohler Command in it but the whole PTO setup in front with pump drive out back has me baffled at this point. I dont want to sink $1800 into a 27 hp engine and then not be able to make it operate correctly due to the PTO and Hydro drive issues. I wonder how much power I can get out of a 482 if I do a more performance minded rebuild on it. Some of these puller guys practically double horsepower Ive been told. I'd be happy with around 22-24 Hp at W.O.T. James, I had no idea they were different. I'm glad you said that because I found acouple 582 from Deeres...now I know they wont work. drat and double drat!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midnight rambler 36 #7 Posted November 25, 2012 hi the pump drive just bolts to the back of the motor and bolts to the flywheel, it might have to have a small plate made but would be easy to make. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesBe1 84 #8 Posted November 25, 2012 (edited) James, I had no idea they were different. I'm glad you said that because I found acouple 582 from Deeres...now I know they wont work. drat and double drat!!! Jeff, I'm not saying they won't work, but I am saying there are some differences. I'm not sure of the extent of the mods necessary. I know the grass screen is smaller and would have to be enlarged to allow for the hydro coupler. I ended up using the old rusty one as a template and cutting out a larger circle with a jigsaw. Wasn't hard at all. I think the coupler should then just bolt onto the flywheel, but the K532 flywheels that I see on ebay have a different fin configuration. Dunno if that is cause they were for a Deere or Bolens or not. It may not make any difference. Oh, if you look on ebay, either the deere or the bolens has different intake and exhaust manifolds. Not sure if that matters to you or not. It may work just as well with the different manifolds. The parts manual has a list of different configurations by spec number. Different parts too. The spec for the wheel horse engines is 35222. I can email you the service and parts manuals if you don't already have them. Of interest the the rear closure plate where the wheel horse pto attaches. I see in the part manual that they list six different plates. Ouch. I have no way of knowing what the difference are and if they even matter. I tried to copy and past some screenshots from the manuals to give you an idea. Not sure if they actually make it to the post. Nope, they didn't take. :( Edited November 25, 2012 by JamesBe1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesBe1 84 #9 Posted December 11, 2012 Just noticed that there is an complete K482 on evilbay for sale. Not too cheap, but this is the first time I have seen a complete K482 for sale. At the risk of the wrath of the anti-ebay-link crowd, here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wheel-Horse-D-180-Engine-Koehler-18-HP-Twin-Engine-/190767936028?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6aa7b21c Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trouty56 567 #10 Posted December 11, 2012 Hodge....you must have a huge loss of power with that engine. That twin K should turn that 5 ft deck unless you are makin' hay or something. My K341 took a 48 inch swath though 1ft grass this summer a couple times during that rain spell and I had belt slippage before the engine choked even a little. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #11 Posted December 12, 2012 A correct engine that will be a direct drop in would be easiest and least time consuming and will keep the value of the tractor up in the long run. If the engine is in good condition it should power the attachments with no problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
otrelwood 32 #12 Posted December 14, 2012 make sure you get the right crankshaft diamete on the pto end wheel horse 's most common size is 1-1/8 " where john deere and some others is 1-7/16" diameter john deere has a much simpiler pto setup on the old 400 series but not enough room in the front of a d for their setup Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
