AC 718H Engine Horse Power-18 or 16?

[Guest]

I have a 718H that I bought last year for way too little money. I assumed it was 18 horse. Checking on this web site I find the "specs" are listing 16 horse while the cross reference table shows 18 horse. I would just assume the specs were a misprint, but my engine shroud says 341, which I understand is a 16 horse. I know the 18 has some problems. Did AC (Simplicity) start with 18 and move to 16? Is my engine original (sure looks like it is)? Thanks Clark

[PatRarick 1]

I am assuming that the "16" horsepower in the specifications is a misprint. It also says that the engine is a K361, which was an 18 horse. The K361 had the same bore, stroke, and displacement as the K341, but the K361 was an overhead valve engine. If your 718 has a K341, it is a 16 horse. I'm not familiar with the K361 or it's problems. I do know that Tecumseh offered the same, basic style of overhead valve engine. There are a few of those around here. The main problems with them have been oil leakage around the push rod tubes, and valve guides dropping out of the head.

[gr-made 0]

Hello Clark: I have the same tractor you have. Mine has the original 18hp Kohler. The model # on the 18 is K361QS. This engine has a Overhead Valves and from what I have heard have several design flaws. It is quite a thumper to hear run though. You just do not want to ride too long or it will shake your teeth loose. I think they only used the 18 single cylinder for a year or two. I assume that someone replaced the 18 with a 16 in your tractor at some point. One thing I do like about the 18 single is the torque. I never have to worry about not having enough power, since it has plenty of that. Hope that helps, GR-Made

[PatRarick 1]

By the way, Clark, how do you pay "way too little"? Isn't the proper term, "verrry reasonable"? Pat

[Guest]

What way too littl means: I saw someone cleaning out a garage. They had put the AC718 outside. I stopped in and they said they wanted to get rid of it. I told them it was worth at least $750 if it ran. They had not started it in a year and the battery was dead. I did not need one, but I told them I'd pay $500 if I could get it running. They said don't worry about it. They would only take $200 for it. Of course it ran with a new battery installed. Matter of fact, I took the old bad battery in to the local autoparts store. They recoginized it as theirs. It was four years old so they replaced it with a new one for $10. Tractor ran with some carb adjustments. That is way too little!

[BillC 0]

Consider yourself very lucky. Someone else replaced the "BADLY DESIGNED" original K361QS 18HP, with the proven K341 16HP. Been there done that!

[MPH 12]

Clark, sounds like you need an extra Thankgivings day this year..MPH

[dlcentral 1]

I agree with above,,a MUCH better eng[16]Only thing that vibrates and is noisier than that OHV-18,,and has more torque is the Lombard.diesel IMO,,

[Dutch 4]

Clark, I've been on the other side of your transaction. The people who had to push that tractor around the garage for a while just got sick of looking @ it. They probably thought you paid too much! They had visions of paying someone to haul it away to the dump, then paying a dump fee, to boot. Many people look at our "seasoned" tractors and think "trash". I should know, as I'm married to one of those people!! Congratulations on your new purchase. I'd say both of you got a good deal. Tacey P.S. Now if you tell me it came with a tiller, snow thrower & cab, dump trailer, etc. then you DID steal that thing!

[Dutch 4]

One day when my daughter was 8 years old she was in my office doing homework. She overheard that I sold a piece of equipment for more than I had paid for it (that was the business I owned). That evening I sensed something was troubling her. I went in her room and asked. She would not tell me but started crying. She confided in her mother that she found out what I was doing and thought it was "dishonest." That sweet little "would be communist" has since changed her outlook.

[MPH 12]

Herb, sound like she "grew-up". wish a lot of others in our country would..MPH