1541 Repower

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by Frank1541

. The engine runs kind of funny. It will run rough and surge like it has a bad governor right after starting. This happens for about 15 seconds, then it smooths out and runs strong. I think it smooths our when the oxygen sensor kicks in.

Frank

My guess is looking at where you put the O2 sensor it probably take a few seconds for it to figure out what is going on with the AF ratio. It may work better if it was just before the muffler. Sweet looking install. Happy grass killing.

[Frank1541]

There are a couple of updates for the project. The tractor is running great now and I notice the extra power. I like the sound of the Command as well. The new muffle came in and the design has been changed. See the picture of the old muffler in this thread.

I also went off the deep end and installed HID headlights on the tractor. I had the parts laying around from a junked Ford Edge. It took a while to figure out how to mount everything, but it came together this weekend. The lights work, but I am worried that they may blind the neighbors. I only use them in the winter when blowing snow, so I will have to wait and see.

[Sam Mac]

Looks like a better design, wonder how it fits?

[Frank1541]

Followup, Six months with the new engine. I have used the tractor for cutting grass (54in deck) and snow throwing (451).

So far there are no negatives using the ECH23. The engine starts right up. It always takes 5 seconds or so to catch. I am not sure why, but it does this no matter the temperature outside or the temperature of the engine. It runs rough for 10 to 15 seconds, then it purr's like a kitten. I think this is when the fuel injection goes into closed loop operation using the oxygen sensor.

I do notice the extra torque when cutting grass. It never even came close to bogging down. As a matter of fact I don't think the governor has ever kicked in cutting grass.

Throwing snow is where I really see the difference. With the Magnum 18 I would get the governor kicking in all the time. It could handle almost anything, but it would have problems going through the end of the driveway where the city plow created a large mass of snow. With the new engine I can get through anything. We had 12 inches of very heavy snow this week. I got through the 3 foot high stuff at the end of the driveway easily. I am now more concerned with breaking the blower or belt verses running out of power.

A final benefit is gas usage. I have not measure this, but I think I use up to 50% less gas. Cutting our two acres used to use a tank of gas, now I can do it twice before refilling.

At the end of the day I would recommend the fuel injected motor as an upgrade. Plus, it was lots of fun doing the project.

[Oak]

Frank, how do the HID lights work?

[Frank1541]

Oak,

The HID's are really intense. I may have to shade them since they are straight high beams. Overall they work great. Not something I recommend doing in most cases. I just had the stuff laying around.

[knucklebuster283]

Thanks for all the pics Frank. I am in the middle of M18 CH18 swap. Theads this detailed help. Good work and another ten years.