Converting 310-8 to 312-8 w/K engine

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Well the M10 Jay and I installed in the 310-8 roller I bought from him was a dud, so yesterday I began getting rid of the 10hp Magnum and replacing it with a K-301 12hp I had sitting around the shop taking up valuable space. So why didn't I put that engine in to start with you might ask??? Good question. The reason was the little 310 was already set up for a Magnum engine, and I did not want to go through all wiring changes to convert it over to a K engine if I did not need to. Basically it was a plug and go installation. Besides I got the Magnum engine as a freebie, and I wanted to see how good or not good (in this case) it ran. The Magnum 10 ran, but smoked badly, had alot of blowby, and not much compression. I had run the K engine in a Wheel Horse I bought last year, and it seemed to run reasonably well. The Wheel Horse was a short frame, and was too small for me physically to use and be comfortable. So anyway, my Son-In-Law wants to do some tilling at his (and my daughter's) house, he got a Wheel Horse for Christmas (from me), and I thought "Why not fix the 310 up for tilling?". So here's the project. If all goes well, it will be a tilling tractor. I can keep the tiller on it year round, and install the really cool attach-matic weight bar that Jay-In-NC made for me to help hold the front end down. Its a shame to let that nice weight bar just set on the work bench in my shop when it could be mounted on a Wheel Horse. Back to the wiring, I aborted all the Magnum wiring (safety switches and all), and will be rewiring all new for the K-engine, ignition switch and all. Here are some pics for you to enjoy if you are still awake after reading all this.   

[jay in nc 210]

cool, i wonder why it took so long to put that k into that frame after we figured out the mag motor was junk. oh by the way to all members i have the 1067 auto that this engine came on! now repowered with a N.O.S. hh120 tecumpseh. so what we basicly we just traided rolling chassies. good luck with the dedicated tiller tractor van.  Jay

[leeave96 490]

Van - looking good, much easier engine swap than my YELLER tractor I'm working right now - LOL

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Jay it took so long because I wanted to wait till Spring was here for good! Me no likey cold weather! Me rather sit next to wood stove than work on cold Wheel Horses. Hey, I need a starter for that K-301. I might be asking you if you have one you will sell me. It looks like the one off the M10 will not fit on the K301. Any ideas or do I need new reading glasses??? I used the one off the K301 on the K341 in the 416-8.

Bill, I know bout your Yeller Tracter engine swap. I am keeping up with that thread on OnlyCubCadets!

Once the new engine is running and the tractor moves under its own power I will be giving it one more good pressure wash. I took the roller to the local car wash this morning before bolting the K engine on. It will need another good scrubbing before bolting all the fender pan and seat and whatever stuff back on, and installing the tiller and front weight bar. Hopefully I can do a little more tomorrow.

Edited April 7, 2013 by Wheel-N-It

[can whlvr 994]

the magnums definatly use a different way to attach the starter than the k,s you have to watch the 1/4 inch bolts that hold the magnums on,they can strip or break

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Small update. I had a couple of hours to work on the rewiring this afternoon. I knstalled a new ignition keyswitch, and made a new wiring harness for the +side of the coil, the "B" terminal of the regulator, the starter relay, power supply from the starter relay tap point to the ignition switch, and a new wire over to the line side of the headlight switch. I incorporated the old voltmeter wiring in with the new. The headlight wiring will go in after the hood is put back on. Now I need a fuse for the new fuse holder, a battery, and a starter.

Here are today's pics.

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

I bought a really good lightly used kohler starter this past weekend that I found on CL. Yesterday got a new battery from Advance Auto. Put all that in when I got home from work yesterday, hit the key switch and..................... nothing. No big deal though, the starter relay is bad. So I jumped across the terminals and the K-301 fired right up and purred like a big ole' fat kitten. I have a spare relay, and hopefully it works. If not then I can pick up something at NAPA.

Anyway, I'm getting closer to having this thing together and working. My Son-N-Law told me he will replace the seals in the tiller. That takes a little work off me. BTW, the K engine is a 1977 vintage according to the numbers.

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Well this hasn't taken too terribly long to do. Mechanically the tractor is now finished. I will get some pics after the weather clears up so you al can see it in the Sunshine. The new (1977 K301) runs great! I am very happy with how it sounds and performs. Here is what I did to make the conversion;

1: Remove the M10 that was running but just plain worn out and re: place it with a 1977 K301aqs

2; Install new ignition switch and starter relay

3: Remove all the old wiring and replace with new automotive grade stranded wire, including a new fuse holder for the main ignition/starting circuit

4: Remove the PTO assembly from the M10 and install it on the K301 (the wheel horse I pulled the K motor from was missing the PTO assembly.

5: Install a new shifter boot (Thanks Jay)

6: Install newer front tires and wheels from a 312-8 (these tires actually hold air and the bearings are good)

7: Soak the drive belt idler pully overnight in LE 15/40 (nice and quiet now)

8: Clean the carb reallyreally good and install a new air filter

9: Replace the starter with an almost brand new Kohler starter I bought on CL (reason for this is I used the K301 starter on another K engine on a different Wheel Horse)

10: Installed new anti-rattle trim on the hood where it mates to the dash tower

11: Greased and lubed everything on the chassis, and greased the roller bearings on the PTO bell

12: Used all new bolts where necessary

13: New battery and good used battery tray

It runs and drives great! The engine starts easy, hot or cold. I am really happy with how it turned out.

Next phase for this Wheel Horse is to install the rear axle bracket, lift cable, and rock shaft to mount the tiller.

Hopefully I will be able to post some pics next weekend as its going to rain here through Wednesday.

 

 

 

[leeave96 490]

Van - you are making great progress!  You strike me on getting these tractors going as 3rd gear high range, where I am 1st gear low range...