417-8 vs 417-H hood types ?

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,590]

hello all,

i have a 1985 417-H without a vented hood and a 1986 417-8 with a vented hood. My question is this: was this an option ? I would like to swap the hoods but want to make sure before restoring that is correct from Wheelhorse.. DMESS will most likely know this ... I know they will fit but i don't want anyone telling me that i have the wrong hood on it AFTER I do my restorations and add the decals. thanks- steve bo in ct

[CasualObserver 3,411]

I believe 1986 was the first year for the fancy louvered hood, so your 85 machine "technically" shouldn't have it. However... since I'm not a subscriber to the "correct police" I say if you want louvers on your 85, find some!

Dustin's the maroon stripe expert, hopefully he'll chime in.

Edit: I just looked at my 85 and 86 brochures... 86 had louvers, 85 did not.

[WHC-125 4]

I say keep it original because when I saw that 417-8 it looked great with the louvered hood and would look even better in my barn

Just keep it original :thumbs:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,590]

i think you are right that the 85 was the no frills model and the 86 had the bells and whistles. just wasn't sure if the lovered hood was an upgrade.. thanks-

[DMESS 24]

"Paging Mr. Maroon Stripe"....... LMAO

You guys pretty much nailed it. 1985 didn't have the fancy chrome OR the louvered hood. The louvered hood was added to certain models in 1986. It was generally found on the high end models of each particular series. Also of note, the 1985 417-8 didn't have the electric lift which was added to the '86 version and carried over to the 1987 418-8.

Now what year did the maroon color change? There are 2 different hues, anybody ever notice this besides me? :thumbs:

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,760]

Has anyone considered that the louvered hood was not just for "looks" but maybe for better cooling or air flow or something? We all know that you dont want to overheat those twin cylinder power-plants.

Just a thought.

Mike..........

[Kelly 1,033]

Mike I do belive I read someplace that the function was better cooling.

[Kelly 1,033]

I think I read that on the Case site about the twin powered tractors, but the same should be true, for WH's

[WHC-125 4]

Mike I was thinking about that too :thumbs:

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

I don't know whether the original intent was form or function.

I had a 1986 312A with the deluxe goodies and a louvered hood, but near as I can tell the louvers were there to let water drip through the hood and make a mess on the engine.

Now the little 1990 210-5 lawn tractor was a different story. The lovers in the hood led to a fresh air "box' that all but sealed against the blower housing on the engine, allowing cooler outside air to be drawn in to reduce operating temperature.

All four Onan (twin cylinder) powered tractors that I have/had here do not have louvers.... Go figure. :thumbs:

[CHARGER9AUTO 3]

Has anyone considered that the louvered hood was not just for "looks" but maybe for better cooling or air flow or something? We all know that you dont want to overheat those twin cylinder power-plants.

Just a thought.

Mike..........

Mike, I have no problems with my '87 418-A overheat the Kohler MAGNUM 18 HP power plant . Ben..........

[DMESS 24]

but near as I can tell the louvers were there to let water drip through the hood and make a mess on the engine.

That about sums it up!

Now they ARE cut facing forward, soooooooo if you could get one up to say....70 mph....you might get a little forced air cooling effect.

Eye candy and nothing more. :thumbs:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,590]

thanks guys... now if isell it to wh125 (chirs) then I would have to get at least double because it has the lovered hood..... just kidding.-thanks all- steve bo

[WHC-125 4]

Dustin,

A little pulley changing could fix that :thumbs:

[pfrederi 18,962]

I had a 1986 312A with the deluxe goodies and a louvered hood, but near as I can tell the louvers were there to let water drip through the hood and make a mess on the engine.

My 418A has the louvered hood, but there is a tray mounted on the under side of the hood to catch the water and the tray has a drain fitting and hose that ran down the inside of the hood front to pass the water. I took the tray out while repainting and never put it back on as my Horses are never out in the rain.... If I start using her with a snowblower I may reinstall the tray to keep snow off the engine...My C-175 crapped out last year while blowing snow. The points cover was mounted up side down (there is a tiny hole on one side and apparently it let enough snow in side that the points grounded out.