Koditten's ZT mower-guided ramblings-shop journal

I always thought the Predator was copying a Briggs engine. Although it's starting to look like it's a pretty direct fit for a Kohler haha

 

i thought they were. but this is an oddball briggs motor.. aluminum rods are their weak point

 

The next day, after sourcing a couple quarts of 10w-30 and dumping it in the motor, I start tracing the wire harnesses.

I find the male plug (chassis side) and find the female side (motor). They are very near each other and look close enough to reach each other. Another freebie!

I start comparing the pin outs. They are the same fucking plugs! I plugged the connectors together and they snapped and locked perfectly!

To test things, I pull one of the spark plugs so I can crank the engine and check for spark. I have spark!

After running the engine, the only test left is to check to see if the e-clutch engages. Yep, you guessed it! Engaged perfectly!

So to recap:

Motor base bolt pattern-same

Crank length and diameter-same

chassis/motor wiring-same

Fuel line connection-same

Throttle/choke cable-not long enough. On order.

Because there is no control cables, I just turned up the idle screw to around half throttle. I was able to zip around the shop just fine. Even at half idle, the thing will scoot!

I've never used a zero turn, but it is quite a bit faster that my Case garden tractor. I really don't see a need to re-gear(pulley) to gain any more speed. Its fast enough.

 

This one is an exact copy of the Honda motors. Every Honda part will fit.

 

no go again

 

Here is a quick recap video I'm not a great narrator.

 

nice

 

I don't know why that pic won't show.

See if this works.

 

If that last pic showed, you can see the top motor guard will need to be altered. Pretty easy job.

As I mentioned when I started the project, the mower was given to me. My brother in law said I could do anything I wanted with it.

The project was so easy, my conscious won't let me keep it or sell it without giving my brother in law the option to just pay for the motor. He can have it back if he wants it. It really is a nice machine. His mechanic took very good care of the maintenance. It has a lot of life left in it.

I had more fun doing the job than what money I can make flipping the thing.

Karma is something that I know exists.

 

Update:

Got the motor gaurd altered. Not too far from looking factory.

Shimmed out the rear with longer bolts and made links for the top.

Had to cut the welds so I could spread the top gaurd a 1/2".

 

Nice.

 

Final update:

As shown motor guard is in place, control cables are functioning perfectly.

As I hoped, the brother in law was impressed on the ease of the transplant. I asked him if he would like it back for the cost of materials? He was happy that I asked and was happy to pay for the work and materials.

I could have flipped the thing quite easily, but sometimes making a profit just wont let me sleep good.

Of course I will be keeping my eye out for units that are similar with blown engines.

Thanks for playing along.

 

You are gonna have guys cruising CL looking for dead mowers.
Next- twin engine on self propelled push mower....

 

I know. But I also know that the number of cat's that enjoy thins type of thing gets less and less as the years go by.

 

Very true. It’s a disposable society now. Throw it away and get a new one

 

I'd pay to see that.

 

Nice job on the re-build!

 

Thanks!

I hope anyone else grenades their motor, they will find the thread helpfull if they want save money and repower.

 

Sadly the toro I’ve got won’t accept the harbor freight engine.

So I think I’m going to rig up a 3.4l! Yea right. I think I’m just going to give the thing away, don’t really need it because I’ve got a working John Deere