Honda V-twin in a 716H?

[jlasater]

Will a Honda V-twin like this http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/product.asp?PN=GX610K1QDF&desc=Honda+Engine+18+HP+1+Horizontal+Shaft+20+amp+ES fit in a 716H without having to cut the hood to clear the valve covers? Do the frame rails have to be trimmed to clear the block?

[HubbardRA]

Jeremy, These are difficult questions to answer. From my experience (and I have re-powered quite a few tractors) the only way to determine if there will be interference is to set the engine in the chassis and try it. If you can get some very good drawings of the outside of the engine, then you could measure the chassis and determine if there was clearance for that engine. Someone may have already done it but I don't remember seeing that combination anywhere. I'm guessing that it would clear the hood on a 7116H/916H, but don't know about the 716H/7016H tractors which have a narrower hood. Also many of the twin cylinder engines required cutting a notch in the frame of the 7100 series machines, which was done at the factory. Sorry I can't give you a direct answer, but I have not had any experience with the Honda engines. I looked at putting a 16 Hp Onan in my 61 Wards once, but when I sat it on the tractor it became obvious that it would take a major hack job to get it to fit, so I used a K series Kohler instead.

[PatRarick]

I haven't done a Honda conversion, but I've done several with the Briggs V-twin Vanguard. I believe the Honda is very close in dimension. I've done them on B-series, and the 7100/900 series and am just beginning on a 7000/700 series. The oil filter is the biggest problem on the B's and the 900 series. You will need to cut the frame, install a remote mount filter, or do without the filter. Exhaust was not a problem on the B series, and was only a slight problem on the 900 series. Though I haven't gotten as far as the exhaust on the 7000, I can see that it is going to be more challenging on that series of tractor due to the narrower hood and the distance between the grill and engine. Pat