Cub 2086 super with a Kawasaki engine?

[1811woody]

I missed out on a pretty good deal for a super today it may have been a little more of a project then what I wanted so I'm not totally heart broken, but there is a 2086 with a Kawasaki motor I have been thinking about. I take it their pretty few and far between theres not even a section in the club forum for the Kawasaki engine. I was told by another member to inquire whether the plastic timing gear had been changed ( thanks again for the tip Sam) if it hasn't its not a deal breaker I just want to know what kind of a job is it to change and is there any other issues I should look at? The rest of the tractor I'm sure is the standard cub quality.

[PaulS]

My son and I have one and it works great.

[Sam Mac]

Woody

Pretty good how to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8uXu-kB50U

[Oak]

Woody, I have a FD620D Kawi in my 3205 and they are good engines and easy on fuel + it's in a good machine. If the price is right I would get it. I think that is the second best gas engine Cub ever used behind the Kubota gas. Got any pics?

[inspectorudy]

If it's like the Kawa in the 400 series JD then there is also a plastic oil pump gear and you should replace the valves and springs because of the different requirements. If you look up the valve train for the steel gear they have different specs than the plastic set. I found a JD 445 with a broken oil pump plastic gear that I passed on. The whole thing including the valves/springs, seals and other required parts is about $400 with no labor. The labor is not that bad if you are handy with a good workshop. It makes sense to take the engine out and do everything while it's out rather than just swapping the timing gear with the engine still in the tractor. The other weak point on the Kawa is the radiator so make sure it is in good shape.

[1811woody]

Originally Posted by inspectorudy

If it's like the Kawa in the 400 series JD then there is also a plastic oil pump gear and you should replace the valves and springs because of the different requirements. If you look up the valve train for the steel gear they have different specs than the plastic set. I found a JD 445 with a broken oil pump plastic gear that I passed on. The whole thing including the valves/springs, seals and other required parts is about $400 with no labor. The labor is not that bad if you are handy with a good workshop. It makes sense to take the engine out and do everything while it's out rather than just swapping the timing gear with the engine still in the tractor. The other weak point on the Kawa is the radiator so make sure it is in good shape.

Now I'm nervous who ever thought it was ok to put plastic parts in engines? It just doesn't make sense. I wonder if that was only a jd Kawasaki or any Kawasaki? Does anybody know?

[AdamMorris]

If the engine has never been apart, it will have plastic gears. The steel gear was an upgrade/replacement.

FYI- I have replaced just the broken plastic parts without doing any other valve train pieces and seen no ill effects. Did 4-5 of these when I was a technician. Didn't take long, just make sure to keep it clean!

[inspectorudy]

I believe the cutoff date for the plastic gear was 1998. If the engine was made after that date, and even some part of 1998, then it will have the steel gear already installed at the factory.