localdj77 11 #1 Posted March 18, 2015 So I'm really starting to love my horse and I'm wanting to address some issue that are NEEDED but I still want to do. 1) The hood rocks back and forth on the front hinge to the point it looks like it might fall off during use. Is there a bushing or something that can be replaced??? 2) The muffler is there but I think empty. I'm a little worried that its too rusted to the head that its a lost cause but what options do I have??? Thats all for now......thanks everyone! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,839 #2 Posted March 18, 2015 DOES YOUR MUFFLER LOOK LIKE THIS ONE? If so, send me an OFF-SITE email for mor info. my direct email address is: daveoman@windstream.net As for the hood hinge, I probably have a replacement for that too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 605 #3 Posted March 18, 2015 The hood rod will wear, but not that much, could be the hood hinge. They added a brace inside the front of the hood on the later models to stiffen up the hood. I'm sure what model 312-8 I have but it has the brace. I guess 88 or 89 as it has the magnum engine and had the bracket for the clutch damper. Was painted flat black under the hood when I got it, the hood rod was worn, no c-clips and the rod was welded to the hitch. That brace is 1/2" x 1/8" flat steel it adds a lot of stiffness to the hood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc724 925 #4 Posted March 18, 2015 The hood rocks back and forth because the nyliner bushings where the hinge pivots are worn/gone and the holes in the hinge pivots are wallowed out. It is a design deficiency that is most prevalent on the single cylinder machines after they eliminated the shaker plates for the motor mounts. There are a couple of ways to fix it. 1) weld a washer onto the hood pivots and then drill the hinge rode for a cotter pin or 2) buy new hood pivots. Just changing the nyliner will not do it. Also, there is a strip of some rubber material on the hood stand that contacts the rear of the hood when it is closed. This helps to reduce but not eliminate the rocking. If yours is gone, slit a piece of gas line tubing and slip it over the hood stand where the rubber material should be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 605 #5 Posted March 18, 2015 The older 312's did not have nylon bushings. That was added in the 90's some where. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,543 #6 Posted March 18, 2015 Here's an old thread that might give you some ideas on your hood hinge problem: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
