Chevy 350 Powers This Garden Tractor

Chevy 350 Powers This Garden Tractor AG WORLD The North Dakota State College of Science has a 300 hp Deere 316 garden tractor The little tractor has a Chevy 350 “small box” engine The repower that left the garden tractor with a whole new look was a multi-department effort says Larry Ascheman associate professor Diesel Technology     “A number of different departments collaborated including students from automotive mechanics machine tooling and body work ” he says “Automotive mechanics students took an old engine overhauled it and refurbished it with electronic ignition They also installed the camshaft aluminum intake four-barrel carburetor and headers They engineered a cooling package with a radiator and fan mounted underneath the engine to leave more room for the engine under the hood ”     Once the engine was ready machine tooling students machined hubs and adapters to connect the flywheel flange of the engine to the existing hydrostatic pump on the 316 Using the 350’s flywheel allowed the students to keep the starter as well     “Our Deere technology students cut away some of the existing frame of the 316 and fabricated alterations including motor mounts to match the 350 ” says Ascheman “They had to remove some of the frame to make room for the mounts and then strengthen the frame section they had modified Finally they installed the engine It fit perfectly and the hood just dropped in place They did have to do quite a bit of work on the drivelines ”     The students also added headers and pipes from an older V8 speed boat and a governor to limit how high the rpm’s can go The project was then turned over to the body shop They did needed repairs on the original tin and did a full repaint     “The groundspeed is limited to a little faster than the original 316 ” says Ascheman “It’s great for recruiting and parades to showcase the skills and abilities of the different departments at the school ”     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Lawrence Ascheman North Dakota State College of Science 800 6th St N Wahpeton N Dak 58076 ph 701 671-2213; larry ascheman@ndscs edu; www ndscs edu

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