My new to me John Deere 400

[Texgasser1]

Well some folks have said I did good, some said I was an idiot. We will see.

Found this old JD 400 for $150. No deck engine is not in it.

BUT, It did come with the original 2 cylinder Kohler completely disassembled, Also have a box of parts from I Save Tractors. com

New pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets. Pretty much everything I need to build a new engine.

Plan is full teardown, restore, repaint, and either find a JD 44 loader or build a loader.

 

[Phil B.]

Good on you for keeping it from going to scrap. Post on it’s progress.

 

[Texgasser1]

Good on you for keeping it from going to scrap. Post on it’s progress.

It will probably be pretty slow, But I will get to it.

 

[flying belgian]

Well some folks have said I did good, some said I was an idiot. We will see.

Found this old JD 400 for $150. No deck engine is not in it.

BUT, It did come with the original 2 cylinder Kohler completely disassembled, Also have a box of parts from I Save Tractors. com

New pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets. Pretty much everything I need to build a new engine.

Plan is full teardown, restore, repaint, and either find a JD 44 loader or build a loader.View attachment 113292

Sorry but I'm going to go with the crowd that says you paid to much.

 

[Texgasser1]

Sorry but I'm going to go with the crowd that says you paid to much.

Maybe I did, We will see when I finish it. I know I will probably wind up spending more than I intend. But at least I have all the new parts.

 

[wore out]

Well some folks have said I did good, some said I was an idiot. We will see.

Found this old JD 400 for $150. No deck engine is not in it.

BUT, It did come with the original 2 cylinder Kohler completely disassembled, Also have a box of parts from I Save Tractors. com

New pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets. Pretty much everything I need to build a new engine.

Plan is full teardown, restore, repaint, and either find a JD 44 loader or build a loader.View attachment 113292

I've had a 400 for many years that I bought used, it had been run hard and put away wet by the P.O., yet I got a LOT of good use out of it before it tossed a rod. The two speed axle is a great feature. A new 22HP Predator engine sits beside it in my shop, it's a project I need to get done and get it back in service.

 

[Phil B.]

Maybe I did, We will see when I finish it. I know I will probably wind up spending more than I intend. But at least I have all the new parts.

I’ve spent way more money on restoring old stuff than it’s worth for years. I just like doing it and I can’t take it with me anyway. you’ll be happy with it when yer done.

 

[Texgasser1]

I’ve spent way more money on restoring old stuff than it’s worth for years. I just like doing it and I can’t take it with me anyway. you’ll be happy with it when yer done.

Kinda what I figure, I have always wanted a small loader tractor

 

[T.R.K.]

I am not going to say you paid too much. I am in NC and here, if a 318 Deere is in pretty good condition, the seller usually wants about what he paid for it 30 years ago. I might suggest you go with a later model engine for power, rather than fix the original Kohler, though.

 

[Texgasser1]

I am not going to say you paid too much. I am in NC and here, if a 318 Deere is in pretty good condition, the seller usually wants about what he paid for it 30 years ago. I might suggest you go with a later model engine for power, rather than fix the original Kohler, though.

What would you power it with?

 

[T.R.K.]

Probably a Kohler Command or a Briggs Vanguard.
There was a thread on Weekend Freedom Machines years back where the owner re-powered a 318 with a Kohler.
At one time at least, Smaill Engine Warehouse (I think it was them) had a kit to install a Briggs Vanguard in a 318. I know you have a 400 but there are several similarities between it and the 318. And I think the issues with the flywheel mounted drive shaft and the electric clutch would be very similar.