L345

[RDR]

Hello everyone. I found this forum while searching google. Over the last couple of years I am rapidly learning about old Kubotas. I bought this tractor five years ago knowing the engine needed rings. When I found out how much parts would be to rebuild the engine I put it on hold. It had to be towed to start which I have done a few times a year to keep the fluids circulated and everything working.

From what I have been told, many of the Kubota engines will interchange. I took a chance on a V1903 on ebay to replace the V1501. NOT. The center hole on the V1501 plate won't fit over the rear main seal cap on the 1902.

I pulled the injectors, head and pan off the 1501 last night. Got the pistons out tonight. It has two bad pistons. I'll have the head checked out before I think about doing any more. I have an L185 engine that possibly has the same pistons. Just something to check out. Thought I would mention one of my many projects.

I also have a beat up B6100E. It isn't pretty but a handy little tractor to have for small jobs. My K-008 mini excavator is also handy. Another project is an M5400 that I purchased at an auction in the spring. The hydraulic pump seal is bad and put hydraulic oil in the engine. Haven't got around to that one yet.

 

[Ob1kubota]

RDR glad to see you joined the best kept secret on the net! There are several V1501 experts on here that have seen destroyed pistons and know the tricks and where to get cheap parts. Give it a day or so and the guys will start asking question as you get into the tear down. Do a search for V1501 and you will find info on rebuilds and other members you can contact direct for additional advice. welcome aboard to Orangetalk!!!!!!

 

[RDR]

Thanks for the welcome.

I dug out the front half of the L185 today. Got the head off and everything looked ok. Took off the radiator, starter, pressure plate, clutch, flywheel and front axle assembly. I pulled one piston. It looks good. It measures the same as the V1501. Looks like the Z751 is half of a V1501. If the V1501 head isn't cracked I'll have the valves ground and go ahead with rings. I'll get the Z751 checked out and put it up for sale.

I bought a Kubota F2650 front deck mower at an auction this spring for $275 with hopes the engine was good to build a generator. All that was wrong with it was a steering hose and the deck needed some repair. Had the hose made for $32 instead of the $97 at Kubota. It ran and worked so good I couldn't take it apart. Had a guy the knew what I paid for it that wanted it. I told him I could get at least $1200 parting it out. He bought it. Wish I could find more deals like that one.

 

[RDR]

Had both heads checked for cracks. Both are ok. Won't be able to get the V1501 head until next week. Guess I'll get the Z751 valves ground and sell it that way.

 

[RDR]

Got a call today that the valves and guides in the head are all right. Went ahead and called Gold Plated Headquarters. (Kubota Dealer) Ordered rings, headgasket, shim and rear main seal. Mine didn't have the shim with the head gasket. I get a feeling that it might be required if the head has to be milled. Can anyone answer why the shim?

 

[RDR]

Haven't done a thing to it yet. Hard to be in the barn with the great weather we are having. No hurry. I still have two other tractors running.

 

[RDR]

Got the pistons in, oil pan on, head on (almost forgot to put the lifters in first) and rocker arm assembly with push rods in. That was enough for tonight. I HATE CLEANING PARTS.

 

[RDR]

I didn't think to put the water neck for the thermostat before installing the head. The guy that did the valve job took the studs out of the head to make it easier to work with. There was one for the water neck. If it was in there, there would be no way to attach it to the head with the head installed. I robbed a bolt from the Z751 to replace it.

I adjusted the valves and put the cover on. Found that the injectors won't go in with the valve cover on. Then one of the injectors had the return line fittings facing the valve cover. I had replaced the brass washer with one from the other engine since the one that was there looked homemade. This changed the position of the return line fittings when the injector was tight. I took one of the injectors from the other engine and loosened the nut holding the fittings and found it was no problem turning them. It is nice having a parts engine for better parts and to experiment with.

Maybe tomorrow night I'll have it close to being ready to install.

 

[RDR]

Today I was lucky in an unlucky way. The rear main seal was wrong. Called where I got it. He pretty much said SOL. Said he can't take it back. Called another Kubota dealer. Gave him the outside dimension. Said he would call Kubota. I called the dealer in Arkansas where I bought my mini-excavator since they used to be the second largest dealer in the U.S. They took the time to look in a book instead of the computer. There was a hand written note with another seal number. He didn't have it but gave me the number. Called the second dealer and they had it. When I got there he told me about a bulletin about the rear seal on the L345 with the V1501DA engine. Over four hours later I got the correct seal. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I managed to get everything on to stab it tomorrow. Thought I would have it close to running tonight. Sometimes it doesn't pay to think.

 

[aquaforce]

Can anyone answer why the shim?

My pistons were above the deck at tdc so the head gasket has to make clearance. If a gasket were to thin the "shim" in question can get the clearance that is needed. My manual says they come in .008 increments.


I wish my clearance was effected by a shim. The gaskets I got for my work were very thick leaving me with extra clearance. That is not what I wanted since compression is lower as a result.

 

[RDR]

It is running. It sounds good. It just has the diesel rattle, not the extra noise of the two bad pistons. Now I know it won't blow up. Tomorrow I'll put the hood on and try it out.

 

[RDR]

This morning will be a test on cold starting. It is 41 degrees out and still dropping. So far it has been doing great with the 5' shredder.