John Deere 112 engine swap

mismith · Aug 14, 2016

I have a nice 1970 John Deere 112 with a Tecumseh HH 100. No spark and I suspect the SSI ignition is bad. I know I could replace it with the HET unit from overnight solutions. But I have found a 212 complete tractor with the K301 Kohler. Is this a direct engine swap? I'm pretty sure there were no differences in the frames on a 112 when you could opt for the Kohler instead of Tecumseh. I'm thinking maybe my bracket for the belt cover won't work on the Kohler? Any issues you can think of? I can get the entire 212 tractor for $150. The overnight solutions HET for the Tecumseh is $158. Your thoughts?

Michael

Bob · Aug 14, 2016

FWIW, the frames WERE different between the Techumseh series (#100,101 to 225,000), frame #AM31518, and the Kohler series (#225,001 to #250,000), frame #AM32193.

I don't have a pair here to compare side-by-side to see what's different, but I would start by measuring and comparing the height of the centerline of the crankshaft above the bottom of the engine mounting area/pads between the two engines.

Any reason you couldn't replace your (older) tractor with the newer one with the Kohler engine?

mismith · Aug 14, 2016

My 112 looks like new and is very nice. The 212 is rough but a good Kohler. I guess there is some bad info. out on the net. I've read several times that there were no differences in the frames.

Bob · Aug 14, 2016

You can look at the parts catalog for yourself at www.jdparts.com.

Click on "Previous Parts Catalog" at the left of the page for the quickest way to find it.

mismith · Aug 14, 2016

I believe you, I'm just saying there are conflicting reports. Is there anyone out there that has done this swap that knows for certain? I figure this would be pretty common since Tecumseh engines in general have such a bad reputation. I'm certainly not a fan myself.

If the K301 won't fit without modification, will a K241 drop right in?

Bob · Aug 14, 2016

Just to clarify, I made note of the fact that the frames are a different part #, but I don't know WHAT is different between them, if anything IS actually different in the engine mounting area, nor am I saying the engine swap won't work.

The mounting dimensions and crankshaft height spec's would be the same between a 241 and a 301 of similar type.

NOT sure, but I think the crankcases/mounting bases would be different on a K-series intended for use on a 112 vs. a 212, as (IIRC) the engine in a 212 mounts to a rubber mount isolated "cradle".

mismith · Aug 14, 2016

I'm reading data online that says Deere offered the K241 as an optional engine starting in 1969 until '72. They then went with the K301. I cannot imagine there being 2 different frames in '69-'72 for the optional K241. I can see some changes from '72-'74 to accommodate the K301 if indeed there were changes to the engine mount area?. I can get a K241 as well, just looking for the simplest conversion.

t1 · Aug 14, 2016

The k241 and k301 use the same size block. Oil sumps are interchangeable as well.

The jd212 used 12volts battery ignition and points on the kohler engine. I believe your Tecumseh in your 112 with solid stateignition would have been wired for magneto ignition, as sending 12 voltsto that module would burnup the module.

So, you would have to do some modifications to your wiring, and change the keyswitch. The switch in the 212 would work, but you still have to make a few small modifications in wiring to the motors ignition circuit.

Basically, the 212 sends 12 volts to the coil when key is on to make sparks and takes it away to stop it. Your 112 grounds the coil to the frame to stop the sparks, and makes an open circuit so it can make sparks.

It would not be a direct drop in swap, as far as electrical wiring goes, but they aren't major.

I do not know on the frame differences between the tractors.

Bob · Aug 14, 2016

"Oil sumps are interchangeable as well"

As I posted before, there are two, actually 3 styles of the mounting face of the block for the oil pan, and obviously the pans have to be different, as well, so it depends if the engines are the same "type" or whatever the correct designation is for that.

<img src = "http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u125/27Grainfield/Stuff/kseries_zpsvzlnbzjq.jpg">

steve_in_mo · Aug 14, 2016

No. The Tecumseh HH100 and the Kohler K181 were of similar size and sort of interchangeable. The K241/K301/K321 engines were bigger physically. The K341 was a little taller than the other "big block" K series engines.

steve_in_mo · Aug 14, 2016

IF you go to the JD parts website, there were two different frames. They are all NLA.

steve_in_mo · Aug 14, 2016

Putting that K301 into the 112 frame would not be a drop-in. The Overnight Solutions ignition system is quick and easy and reliable and $135.

gab · Aug 15, 2016

Don't know about the direct eng swap. I bought a 1970 JD 110 years ago with a blowed up ventilated 8 horse, only gave 50 bucks for it and it had a close to new deck. I didn't do any research, just assumed a 10 hsp. would bolt right in. I got it in and functional but it was a lot of fabrication.

John Deere 112 engine swap

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