CCC Series 1 or 2?

[ccguy]

I've narrowed down a second rehab project to a 682/782 or an 1810/1811 and have a couple of questions for the pro's here before I begin driving all over the Northeast on recovery missions:

1. Which is a better (more reliable) power plant, a KT-17 Series II or an M-18?
2. One unit that I am considering has a decal on the air cleaner housing imprinted with "Series II" and nothing more. Does that seem legit?
3. I've been following a couple of high hour units (1200-1400+)...how many hours are these Kohler's designed for and cost wise what makes more sense if needed, overhaul or repower?

Many thanks,

ccguy
1994-1440
1976-#4

[J-Mech]

Only difference between the KT17II and Mag 18 is one has magneto ignition, the other has points.

Life on any engine depends a great deal on how well they are maintained. There is no certain "hour life". I've seen both engines grenade under 400hrs, and I've seen both with 2K. Seems like 1200-1500 hrs is standard life for most. If you have one that is bad or fails, replacement is about the only good choice. Parts are hard to come by and extremely expensive. Rebuilding them is not a good choice. They really weren't designed to be rebuilt. Kohler CH series (Command), or a Vanguard are good replacement choices.

[yeeter]

Hello from MA. I have both a 784 and an 1812, so if you want to come and look at the differences let me know.

I guess that would be my recommendation - if you are going to do the work to refurb one, I would make front hydraulics a high priority (and a power angle blade here in MA).

imo (which really isnt worth that much) - if you want a 'better' tractor I would choose an 1812/1811. A number of items were improved over the older models.

But if you want the more nostalgic IH appeal, a red 784 would be nice. Some dont like the series I but others say they run fine if you stay off steep hills.

If you just want it to run, you can usually find a donor tractor for an engine (most cost effective). If your restoring it to keep forever, just suck it up and rebuild.

$.02 (maybe less....)

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by yeeter

imo (which really isnt worth that much) - if you want a 'better' tractor I would choose an 1812/1811. A number of items were improved over the older models.

They are the same machine. What would you say was "upgraded"? Only thing I can think of besides engine was they went to a 3 turn steering wheel over a 2.5 turn and added a couple bolts to the front axle to keep play to a minimum. That's about it. Not really any difference to speak of......

[yeeter]

There you go then

I like that there is an oil filter in the 1811 (yes it's engine related). A hydro dip stick. Oil pressure light. ExternL brakes (but this just me, I wanted turning brakes as a mod). Digital hour meter.

Small items yes...

[J-Mech]

The late (CCC built) 782's had a hydro dipstick and external brakes. The SII motors could have an oil filter. The hour meter was still "clock" style. The 1811 didn't have a digital hour meter, it was a "number" style though if that's what you meant. Don't mean to be technical, but there is a difference.

I'm not really trying to be argumentative here. But there just isn't really any large enough difference to say one is better than the other. Not major... not like the difference between a 1X50's and a '82's.

[IACubCadet]

Either engine is a great engine to have. I have one M18 and I've had several Series II engines, I have no complaints. Parts are harder to find, and yes, if one did happen to "blow up" or break somethin internally I would be looking for a suitable repower mainly for the above comment (and Jon's, too)

[darkminion_17]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Only difference between the KT17II and Mag 18 is one has magneto ignition, the other has points.

1 hp difference also

[ccpullin]

Originally Posted by ccguy

I've narrowed down a second rehab project to a 682/782 or an 1810/1811 and have a couple of questions for the pro's here before I begin driving all over the Northeast on recovery missions:

1. Which is a better (more reliable) power plant, a KT-17 Series II or an M-18?
2. One unit that I am considering has a decal on the air cleaner housing imprinted with "Series II" and nothing more. Does that seem legit?
3. I've been following a couple of high hour units (1200-1400+)...how many hours are these Kohler's designed for and cost wise what makes more sense if needed, overhaul or repower?

Many thanks,

ccguy
1994-1440
1976-#4

The series II (spec 24302 and later) and Magnum engines were both good engines, although there were several updates made to the magnum engines.

cam ground automotive style pistons
posi lock connecting rods (studs/nuts vs. bolts)
oil filter boss
magneto ignition
plastic cooling fan
higher volume oil pump
early had kohler carburetors, later had walbro
studs/nuts vs. head bolts
heavier crankcase webbing

The very late production KT17 series II's were actually M18's as they were dropping production of the series II design. They made provisions for breaker point ignition and taper of the crankshaft for use with the Series II flywheel, although at that point they were more designed as replacement engines for the series II. Also if you were to purchase rebuild parts for the series II after the magnum was released, you would receive the cam ground piston and posi lock rods

[red56turbo]

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

1 hp difference also