782 Repower question

[Terry C]

Hi all,
I have a 782 with a KT 17 thats got a hole in the block.
My two choices for repowering the 782 is a KT 19 and a Mag 18
I will rebuild both of these so it makes no difference
on the condition of the two candidates.
I am going to use this tractor for mowing if that matters
Just looking for pluses and minuses of each

What would you guys do?

Thanks

[R Bedell]

My suggestion is.........the M-18.

Don't have to worry about points, condenser, and timing.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

My suggestion is.........the M-18.

Don't have to worry about points, condenser, and timing.

What he said.

[Sam Mac]

M18 if you insist on rebuilding one. If it was my tractor I'd drop a Vanguard in it with a 1641 drive shaft.

[Terry C]

Thanks fellas
I will be doing the boring of the cylinders and such at my shop so
I will take some pics of the process
If my kids help maybe some YouTube vids of the m18 rebuild,
Won't be as glamorous as restoring an O or something but still a part
of saving one

[R Bedell]

The M-18 is a "drop in" fit. The only modification needed is a slight electrical one.

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

M18 if you insist on rebuilding one. If it was my tractor I'd drop a Vanguard in it with a 1641 drive shaft.

I appreciate your suggestion Sam but I have these two engines already

[J-Mech]

You better check prices and availability of parts before you get started. You won't be able to find many choices in oversize pistons, if any at all. What is available will be over $100 per piston. Rod choices are limited, and no undersize available. Not much in aftermarket. The machining isn't the problem, it's getting parts.

I say this all the time.... the H-opposed are not worth rebuilding. They are may favorite motor, but they are just too costly to rebuild, and parts are all but non-existent. You really are better off either running them as they are, or going Sams route. Take some time and look at some threads on here of guys who rebuilt them. Most all of them ended up with a pile of money, and the engine failed shortly after. I really urge you not to go this route. But.... like Sam says, It's your money.

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You better check prices and availability of parts before you get started. You won't be able to find many choices in oversize pistons, if any at all. What is available will be over $100 per piston. Rod choices are limited, and no undersize available. Not much in aftermarket. The machining isn't the problem, it's getting parts.

I say this all the time.... the H-opposed are not worth rebuilding. They are may favorite motor, but they are just too costly to rebuild, and parts are all but non-existent. You really are better off either running them as they are, or going Sams route. Take some time and look at some threads on here of guys who rebuilt them. Most all of them ended up with a pile of money, and the engine failed shortly after. I really urge you not to go this route. But.... like Sam says, It's your money.

I did not look for parts, I just assumed that since it was a Kohler I could get parts.
I'm not into doing something just to prove I can, so the mag is out if it
doesnt run. The guy I got it from says it runs but you know how that goes.
I won't mess with it if it doesn't fire up and sound good.
How bout Onan?
I don't like Briggs

[olds45512]

The onan is even a worse money pit than the mag.