Wheel Horse 520/518 Motor Swap w/ Predator

[hcminis 1,593]

So, I might possibly be getting a 518-H with bad motor.  Not sure yet if it is bad or the owner just took some parts off.  There have been some that repowered the 520 with a Harbor Freight 22 H.P. Predator and I cannot find it.  Did the search and obviously not doing it right or something.  Could someone help in out with what all it would require to  swap the motor out?  Know these Harbor Freight motors can't take the manual PTO since they don't have the thrust bearings in output shafts.  Also, know they will require some repositioning of where the motor mounts compared to the Onan.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Edited November 21, 2019 by hcminis

[Blackhood Bill 721]

Just a heads up but I seen a Onan on Facebook market place in Greentown, In. $500 for a runner and a parts engine.

[82Caddy 851]

Here's a sale ad with some pictures, but no real info:

 

This isn't a 520 but a GT14 with lots of good info:

 

 

Here's one in a blackhood:
 

I'm bored at work today so those are the first few I came across.

 

I also hate to say it, but the JD guys have lots of good info out there about crankshaft adapters and how to wire up electric PTO's.

Edited November 20, 2019 by 82Caddy
Incorrect link

[82Caddy 851]

 

 

Here's the one I was looking for.

[WildmanC120 613]

I've had great luck with mine in my c-161. Only issue was the vacuum pump died within a few hours but that seems to be common. I replaced it with electric an no other issues.  If I were to do it again I would take the chance with the manual clutch. The engine says it has ball bearings. Also there is a 520 for sale locally to me where the guy did a predator swap and has been mowing with it for 2 years with the manual clutch. 

[Aldon 4,828]

@fast88pu is your huckleberry. He has done a few swaps and helped me with mine.

[hcminis 1,593]

Thanks everyone.  I know that someone has done the swap in a 520.  This is what I am hoping to find.  Pretty sure there was a thread about how someone did this.  That is what I'm looking for.  Sorry but not swapping it in to a C series.  This will go in a 500 series

 

[WildmanC120 613]

A 520 is not much different then a C series when it comes to the engine bay.  Not sure what you need to know or see?  

 

You will need a 1" to 1-1/8" crank sleeve adapters.  You just basically need to put 4 new mounting holes in your base and raise the engine about as high as you can since the cranks are lower on the predator.