Saab Diesel engine swap

[Sean 6]

I am thinking about putting a large marine Saab Diesel engine into my wheel horse 314-8. Will the frame be able to handle around 450 pounds of engine? I am asking as I have never seen it done due to the scarcity of the engine.

[Razorback 1,081]

7 minutes ago, Sean said:

I am thinking about putting a large marine Saab Diesel engine into my wheel horse 314-8. Will the frame be able to handle around 450 pounds of engine? I am asking as I have never seen it done due to the scarcity of the engine.

 

Hmmmmmm..... this will be interesting. I like the idea, and I will be interested to hear from others about how the WH would handle the weight. How much does a front loader weigh??? I LOVE the idea of a WH smelling like DIESEL!!!!!

[Razorback 1,081]

And..... If that doesn't work out....... let me put it in my Speedex 1631!!!!

 

 

[Sean 6]

It’s a big motor the flywheel alone weighs 200 and it’s running 83 foot pounds of torque

Edited December 14, 2019 by Sean

[Sean 6]

Which is why I’m asking it would be tons of fun to mess around with

[Razorback 1,081]

Wow!!! How are you going to fit that in the WH???? Even IF the frame can handle it?? I am curious of how the hood will be modified to cover it??

Edited December 14, 2019 by Razorback

[Sean 6]

If the frame can handle it the motor would sit up off the frame rather than down in

[Sean 6]

And the hood might fit if I raise it up about 8 inches

Edited December 14, 2019 by Sean

[ebinmaine 71,232]

@Sean I think it'd hold it if the 'horse frame and front pivot are in good condition.

The pivot can easily be weld reinforced with a collar and longer pin too.

 

As stated above... Think FEL.... But remember an FEL keeps more weight towards the rear by mounting more to thread of the tractor.

 

This would be a super cool project to watch!!

 

 

 

[pfrederi 18,411]

You better hit the gym and start working on your arms you are going to need them to steer that thing.

[ZXT 2,401]

 to !

 

 

@19richie66 is doing a Yanmar 2 cyl diesel swap on a GT-14, and he is beefing the frame up to handle the added weight. I'm not sure what his weighs, but I would assume it is lighter than yours. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to beef it up some..

 

Seems like a lot of weight for 80 ft.lb of torque! If I were going to install something that heavy, it would probably be an aluminum 5.3 LS.. It would have 300+ ft.lb! 

[SALTYWRIGHT 859]

have2 men stand on the front of your tractor and see if you can steer it. I put a diesel in my 417-8 and 1054 that were very light.  that saab diesel is too heavy.    russ

[19richie66 17,585]

If you built it like a Senior frame, probably. Regular wheelhorse frame, I doubt it. Be a cool project anyways. My engine is 187lbs. Not much more than a cast iron K341 

Edited December 14, 2019 by 19richie66

[SylvanLakeWH 27,810]

 

Of course it can be done! Just need frame and steering enhancements to address added weight...

 

@SALTYWRIGHT had the right idea regarding steering...add 450 lbs to front and see what happens with steering...

 

Edited December 14, 2019 by SylvanLakeWH

[bc.gold 3,406]

16 hours ago, Sean said:

It’s a big motor the flywheel alone weighs 200 and it’s running 83 foot pounds of torque

 

Fresh or salt water, open or closed circuit cooling system/

[Sean 6]

Air cooled so water tank or radiator isn’t necessary for it

Edited December 14, 2019 by Sean

[bc.gold 3,406]

On 12/13/2019 at 9:23 PM, Sean said:

I am thinking about putting a large marine Saab Diesel engine into my wheel horse 314-8. Will the frame be able to handle around 450 pounds of engine? I am asking as I have never seen it done due to the scarcity of the engine.

 

When the Internet came to be we had to redefine scarcity.

 

Is your engine clockwise or counter clockwise rotation.

Edited December 19, 2019 by bcgold

[Cvans 1,009]

Having installed a Lister-Petter LT1A in several WH tractors without any frame reinforcement I'd say your going to be fine. The LT1A is a heavy single cylinder air cooled and with the electric starter should be right in the 200 lb range. The last install was in a 12hp Charger Auto. Ran this combination for a number of years and am now in the middle of installing it in a C-160 8spd. Here is a photo of it in the Charger along with a photo of the engine. 

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by Cvans

[Sean 6]

That’s pretty awesome

what kind of torque is that old lister running?

[Cvans 1,009]

The first WH I had it in was a ranger 10hp 8 spd. if I remember correctly. You couldn't stop it. In high range second gear it would dig a hole. It literally gutted the transmission. Then after installing it in a hydro it wouldn't do that but the hydro did an excellent job of absorbing the power impulses and the hydraulic lift was wonderful for raising implements. The problem came when it was cold outside the thick oil (ATF) sucked up a lot of power. I use this for yard and garden work and the manual transmission is a better combination so that's where I'm headed again. This time hopefully with a heavier gearbox and a little more common sense as to what I hook it up to. 

[bc.gold 3,406]

Awesome engines I have a Petter PJ2 and a SR2

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by bcgold

[ebinmaine 71,232]

6 hours ago, Cvans said:

what I hook it up to

Oh ... I hope there is a build thread coming up...

 

[Cvans 1,009]

I'll try but I get into what I'm doing and completely forget about photos. Right now I'm waiting on seals and gaskets for it.

I'll start another thread so I don't hijack this one. 

 

Sean have you made anymore progress with your Saab? 

[Sean 6]

I am working on re timing it as one of the valves was opening at the wrong time. Once that is done the reinforcement of the frame will be started and then it’s down to mounting on the frame.

[Tractorhead 9,110]

On 12/14/2019 at 7:53 PM, SylvanLakeWH said:

 

Of course it can be done! Just need frame and steering enhancements to address added weight...

 

@SALTYWRIGHT had the right idea regarding steering...add 450 lbs to front and see what happens with steering...

 

 

Maybe not that much, if you work with a similar counterweight.

but the main question in my opinion was, if the Rearaxle can last that added Load.

 

found @pfrederi‚s idea funny with the Gym.. 😂

maybe a rework of the Frontaxle with flat Ballbearings can reduce the steering force.

or a Servo will implemented 🤔

 

 

 

To improve the stability of the frame itself, a flat steel can be welded sideway‘s left and right along the original Frame and redrilled with needed holes after that.

 

😎 should improve the stability massive.