982 Restoration - Progress report

[jaynjeep]

Don't get discouraged with the ONAN. They are great engines when they are right. Used to work on them in RV generators.. with regular de carboning spray and oil changes they will last forever. Parts are expensive though. My experience with them...don't patch it. If you can't put it back with factory specs then go ahead and repower it with something more modern.

[elshiv]

Originally Posted by john hall

You pulling the air shroud with the engine in the tractor? I don't think it was that big of an ordeal to pull the engine from mine. Had to remove a rat nest from mine. Take a good look at the driveshaft and its components while the engine is out. Won't be surprised if all your wear items are shot. I even had to replace the shaft on mine. Before you pour a ton of money in the engine price out what it would take to rebuild the driveshaft--anywhere from a few bucks to around $150.

I didn't bother the mufflers on mine, seemed fine to me. If memory serves me correct you'll notice one of them bolts on kind of crooked. Its behind the grill, your neighbors with green machines won't notice. Seems they have an odd open end slot arrangement for bolting down with.

Oh yeah, snug up your steering box with the motor out, a lot easier this way. Don't get it too tight or it will be a bear to turn once you put the engine back in (don't ask how I know).

Wish I knew that before I started! It was a pain in the A**. I'll definitely take care of the steering before the engine goes back in. I was thinking of doing one of those bearing upgrades on the steering column. I hear those really fix up the steering to feel smoother.

[elshiv]

Originally Posted by cub cadet 72 guy

I sand blast my heads, that is, if you have a sandblaster

I'm thinking of getting a baking soda blaster setup going. I hear they work very well and don't damage the metal.

[elshiv]

Originally Posted by jaynjeep

Don't get discouraged with the ONAN. They are great engines when they are right. Used to work on them in RV generators.. with regular de carboning spray and oil changes they will last forever. Parts are expensive though. My experience with them...don't patch it. If you can't put it back with factory specs then go ahead and repower it with something more modern.

I plan on doing this right. I want this thing to run for as long as I can keep it going. I already use nothing but synthetic oil on all my machines. This will be no different. Actually I may switch to royal purple for this engine.

[elshiv]

As promised here are the latest pictures!

I'm pretty sure that Coil isn't right!





Need a new air filter pan!



All the parts that came off! Will clean them up and repaint with Hi-Temp paint.



Shrouds Mostly off! I can't get that last one off till I remove the engine.



Needs a major cleaning.. Should I paint the Engine block? Maybe Onan Green? Probably black.. Wonder if they make a Hi-Temp clear coat?



I finally found the Onan ID Tag.. it was covered in gunk! Is there anyway to make the letters stand out more?.. I'm having a hard time reading it.

[jimbob200521]

Looks like you're well on your way there!

One tip, I would not paint the engine heads or anything that is a cooling fin. AFAIK, it only serves to trap heat and make it harder to keep the engine cool

[john hall]

Look before you leap on the steering box. If memory serves me correct there are 2 different ones in 982's. One of them is hidden pretty deep in the parts book. My steering box is not the same as what is in the rest of the Cadets, its bigger. I had to do some searching to come up with a bearing that would work as well as locknuts. I had to grind part of the frame to get the bearing in. I maintained a thread on here about my adventures bringing mine back to life.

[john hall]

Take a look at this to see some of my adventures.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=30765

[elshiv]

Originally Posted by john hall

Look before you leap on the steering box. If memory serves me correct there are 2 different ones in 982's. One of them is hidden pretty deep in the parts book. My steering box is not the same as what is in the rest of the Cadets, its bigger. I had to do some searching to come up with a bearing that would work as well as locknuts. I had to grind part of the frame to get the bearing in. I maintained a thread on here about my adventures bringing mine back to life.

Do you have a link to those posts? I'd like to look them over.

[john hall]

take a look here as well

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=30127