Kubota l245dt engine upgrade after going swimming

Rumrunner439

New member

Equipment
Kubota l245dh, 1952 Ford 8n , JD 3038e
May 6, 2022
8
1
3
Gulfport ms
So yesterday the gf was drivng the tractor and she refuses to learn how to push a clutch in or use the throttle lever. I'm usually by her and try to talk her through everything as she drives. Of all days I stopped to fix a rut she made and next thing I know I hear screams and see my tractor drive straight into my small pond. She didn't push the clutch in, didn't shut down the throttle and didn't hit the shut off lever. She just hit the right brake yeeting it into the pond. Now it didn't spit a rod out of the block but it bent a rod. I took the exhaust off, turned it over w the decompression lever on and got the water out. Then fired it up shockingly it started but number 3 cyl just puffed white un-burned diesel. So I pulled the injectors and saw numb 3 piston didn't come up as high as the others. So what engines will fit in the same spot. It has a d1101 engine. I'd like to upgrade to maybe a 28hp engine. Here's the link to the video of it in the pond.
20250205_145002.jpg
 
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Reactions: 1 user

Sawdust&Shavings

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BX1870,LA203A,BX6315,BX2767,RCK48-18BX,GCK60-23BX
Apr 25, 2023
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18
68
Stafford, VA
Upgrade to a hydrostat 'cause she isn't using a clutch, so no need to fix it!!
I agree the clutch isn’t being used and a hydrostatic would be the best choice. My problem is, what was wrong with the steering wheel…why wasn’t it used?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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There are too many parts involved in that set up to be able to change the engine to a different engine.
You need to rebuild what you have.
One of the biggest factors on these is that oil pan is part of the front axle so swapping it to another engine is not a viable option.

And lock the two brake pedals together.
Or just get her an HST to work around the place with.

If you want more HP out of it, get another tractor with more HP.
 

Rumrunner439

New member

Equipment
Kubota l245dh, 1952 Ford 8n , JD 3038e
May 6, 2022
8
1
3
Gulfport ms
I agree the clutch isn’t being used and a hydrostatic would be the best choice. My problem is, what was wrong with the steering wheel…why wasn’t it used?
She said she tried to slow down by hitting the brake but she jammed on the right brake pedal which pretty much made it go right.
 

MOOTS

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MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
2,000
2,353
113
Canton, Georgia
Is she ok? That’s all that really matters. Stuff like tractors can be fixed.

I giggled at the yeeted into the pond comment though.
 

Rumrunner439

New member

Equipment
Kubota l245dh, 1952 Ford 8n , JD 3038e
May 6, 2022
8
1
3
Gulfport ms
There are too many parts involved in that set up to be able to change the engine to a different engine.
You need to rebuild what you have.
One of the biggest factors on these is that oil pan is part of the front axle so swapping it to another engine is not a viable option.

And lock the two brake pedals together.
Or just get her an HST to work around the place with.

If you want more HP out of it, get another tractor with more HP.
I thought the d1302a was pretty much the same block design ?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
31,430
7,249
113
Sandpoint, ID
I thought the d1302a was pretty much the same block design ?
It might be similar, there is variations in all these old engines, some obvious, so not so much.
If it did cross right over without issues, I don't think your not going to gain enough to validate the cost and work of doing the swap.
But hey your time your money have at it.
I personally would look at getting a tractor that had the HP already and a lot of other improvements to go with it.
Going rate for a good running D1302 is in the $4K range
 

woodman55

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L6060HSTC, RTV 1100
May 15, 2022
962
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93
canada
Even if you trade for a hydro, yours will be worth a lot more if it is in good order, than as it is now.
 

DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
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North East CT
If you knew in advance that she didn't understand the workings of the tractor, then you are to blame for the accident. She shouldn't have been operating it under any conditions. Would you let her drive a car that she couldn't keep under control?
My wife almost died as a result of getting out of the car without shutting it off and got run over by her car. She may never drive again, but she has learned the lesson to shut the car off first before getting out if she ever gets to drive again. She used to eat raw cookie dough even though I warned her not to. She no longer does that because the last time, she got extremely sick as a result. Some only learn lessons the hard way. Some learn from others' mistakes, and some only learn from their own mistakes. Some have to make the same mistake more than once or twice before they learn. Some never learn.