JD 55 combine engine swap

[Ted Kramer]

I have a #55 round back with a very good 217 engine but the machine itself is about used up. I have a chance to get a #55 square back with a bad engine (303..?) but the machine is in good shape. Does anybody know if my 217 will bolt up to the bell housing from the 303? Or, could I use the bell housing that is on my 217 and just change pulleys since my round back uses the flat belt vs. "V" belts on the square back? The bolt patterns look very similar but looks can be deceiving, hate to pull the square back home only to find out my engine won"t work. Thanks in advance.
TK

 

[BANDITFARMER]

Some of the 55 square backs had 217 in them. You would have to find a 55 square back with a 217 to get what you need to mount it and the bell housing for the belt pulleys and the hydrolic pump. It would be easer to find another 303 to put back on it if that is whats on it. The 303 was used on the 55 and the 95 JD combines, Only differance is the RPMs 2200 to 2700. The 217 in a 55 is alittle under powered for the square backs. Bandit