PaulC 342 #1 Posted June 20, 2014 I just had a muffler go bad on my 312-A so im looking for a replacement. I found direct replacement new but in the $165+ range. Does anyone have any other options that they have found and are very happy with? Once I figured out my problem which took me very long time (never ever thought it was the muffler, it must be clogged) I was happy but didn't expect that big of a price tag for a new one. I have found some aftermarket stuff that I could make work but none that are real close to the odd orientation of the horizontal style that came on it. I don't want it to look stupid and more importantly be much louder. I am going to take a better look at the muffler to see if I can easily cut it open to try to clean it out and then weld it back together but I thought I would try to explore other options first. Thanks Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70sVintageTrikes 19 #2 Posted June 23, 2014 Please post a picture because it might help someone that isnt sure of the specific muffler you speak of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulC 342 #3 Posted June 23, 2014 Your right I should have been more specific sorry about that. The engine is a Kohler Magnum. Part number I have found for the correct muffler is 94-3739. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulC 342 #4 Posted June 25, 2014 update, I got my muffler fixed and saved myself some dough. im guessing I didn't get overwhelming responses because these probably rarely have issues but ill put out there what happened with mine. The main intake tube which clamps to the outlet of the motor deteriorated and broke off inside. its capped off on the end inside the muffler so I think it was able to bounce the right way and wedge itself into a hole that's halfway down the muffler essentially blocking things off. I cut both ends off with a cutoff wheel at the rolled seems which allowed me to disassemble the entire muffler. I made a new inlet tube out of a piece of 1.5 o.d. pipe about 5" long. refit everything and welded it up and it works like a charm, nice and quiet. I figured if I am just going to have to scrap it why not cut it apart and at least see how its designed? its a cool little setup and im glad I did because it was pretty easy to fix and I saved myself $175 bucks not having to buy a new one. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #5 Posted June 25, 2014 Cool, did you use a wire welder to put it back together/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #6 Posted June 25, 2014 Thank you for posting, as this is nice to know information. There have been a few threads regarding the repair of 3, 4, and 500 series tractor mufflers. Outside of significant rot, others here on the forum have cut their mufflers open to effect repairs. If done carefully, there isn't any reason to make the muffler operate as originally intended, and also maintain the correct appearance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,177 #7 Posted June 25, 2014 I figured if I am just going to have to scrap it why not cut it apart and at least see how its designed I am a believer in this - figure if a part is no longer functional I dont have anything to lose by looking into it and all to often will turn out like your situation. I recently had one of the Nelson mufflers (which I REALLY like! theyre so quiet) off a C series that had the outer shell so rusted that it had separated. So one day with some spare time I set about to make a new shell and after some piddling with some sheet metal scraps I had me a nicely rebuilt Nelson 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulC 342 #8 Posted June 25, 2014 I tig welded it back together im sure mig would have worked but its thin and small welds were definitely better on this one. jdleach I wanted to maintain the same mount orientation not so much appearance as this is not my super nice wheel horse(at least for now), but once the new welds rust up a bit you wouldn't even notice a difference haha, I am having a stainless cover for it made up though so it will be covered and look sweet. I also wanted to maintain the correct flow and pressure but doubt that would be that big of a deal anyway. but even some of the aftermarket options were around 100 bucks so I thought if I was going to spend that I would just spend the extra to have the correct muffler. very glad I never ended up having to make that decision, im gonna put that 175 bucks towards rebuilding the smoking magnum that's on it. pacer I am a former fabricator that is now designing so I love to look into everything and figure out how it works and better yet make it better this muffler was indeed a nelson and yes very quiet seems like it quieter then before but I doubt that. that's another thing I was concerned about going aftermarket is Id finally get it on there and itd be so much louder that id hate it. I figure now that I had it apart and fixed it correctly I should be good for another 20 years or so 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites