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154 Diesel engine swap

IH CUB Lo-Boy Series - 154, 184, 185 Forum -- Questions and answers to all of your Lo-Boy related issues.
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Gumbert1542
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:55 pm
Zip Code: 15434

154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Gumbert1542 » Mon Dec 09, 2019 11:04 pm

Started out on the yesterdays tractor forums before I found you guys so here it goes. I have a cub 154 around a 73 model I believe. Got it dirt cheap and after a year of mowing, pulling carts, and plowing snow I have decided it’s time for a little more HP. I’ve seen some guys on here ask about these swaps but haven’t seen one done yet so if there is please point me in that direction.

Current status is the old engines out new Isuzu 3 cylinder diesel (about 28 horse) is mocked up in place. Made the first start and run around the field today and what a difference! Let’s hope that gear box holds together.

Next step is to reinforce he frame against twist make up some nicer motor mounts wiring, paint etc.

What I have learned from the test run is that I need to move the motor forward about 4 inches to get a better CG. Which means making a longer drive shaft.

The end game is to do a write up on this whole project. Let me know what you think.
Ps how do you attach images to a post??

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Gary Dotson
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Tractors Owned: 48 Cub Diesel (Cubota)
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Gary Dotson » Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:29 am

I've seen several 154's converted with various engine brands: Cat., Yanmar, Kubota but haven't seen one with an Isuzu yet. Look forward to seeing your finished project.

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Indy4570
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Indy4570 » Tue Dec 10, 2019 11:00 am

I have an isuzu diesel but I think its a 4cyl. sitting in an old chevette

I would LOVE to see a full thread about your conversion!!!! :tractor:
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Jim Becker
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Jim Becker » Tue Dec 10, 2019 11:51 am

What is the maximum torque from that engine? I assume the 28 horsepower is developed at substantially higher RPM than was with the original engine. You may not need as much frame reinforcement as you might imagine.

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BIGHOSS
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby BIGHOSS » Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:29 pm

I know that Gary Dotson's CUBOTA with diesel has been on the dyno a few times. Does Gary or Steve remember what the HP and Torque values were?
"Courage is being scared to death-but saddling up anyway".......John Wayne

BigBill
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby BigBill » Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:43 pm

Diesel engines are lower rpm more torque in some applications, im not sure how strong the tranny is.

I stripped my 154 frame down to box it and found the cross steel only welded on one side. I ended up putting in the missing vertical welds and double wall the frame from the front all the way back to the FEL uprites, no more twisting. But a new front axle with more movement is needed. The space between the frame and positive stops on the axle needs to be longer.

The frame twisting is so bad in a off camber situation the fan blade digs into the fan shroud.
When the front axle limiter bottoms out the frame starts to twist if we keep on going. Been there in pushing dirt into piles.
Last edited by BigBill on Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.

Gumbert1542
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Zip Code: 15434

Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Gumbert1542 » Tue Dec 10, 2019 2:02 pm

Yeah I found the old bubblegum steering box fix and it was the same way. One side was welded to the frame. The other just hung there. At 2200 RPM I should have around 22hp and 38 or foot pounds of torque. Transmission worries me but I’m guessing I’ll smoke clutches long before I chip teeth. Not real fond of the 154’s lethargic clutch.

I will say boxing my frame or putting some ladder stifners in it is a must. I saw the twist the worst on start up and shut down. I suspect if I don’t reinforce I’ll warp it after a couple days of hard pulling uneven ground.

One of the biggest issues I’ve come across is the steering. I had to drop everything 5 inches to clear the oil pan. Mainly because the driveshaft on these tractors is a straight shot. Not much room for play up and down. I’ll say this if the engine was even two inches taller or the oil pan was an inch deeper I don’t know what direction I would have had to go

Jim Becker
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Jim Becker » Tue Dec 10, 2019 3:07 pm

So about the same.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15061

BigBill
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby BigBill » Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:10 pm

I thought the standard fcub c60 engine with flat top pistons was 9 hp? Where the int154 lowboy was 15.4 hp and the 184/185 were 18.4/18.5 hp? Isn’t the max rpm different between the fcub and 154/184/185 too?
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.

Gumbert1542
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:55 pm
Zip Code: 15434

Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Gumbert1542 » Tue Dec 10, 2019 8:56 pm

Bad info in my end as well. The engine I have is a 3cb1 naturally aspirated engine. It’s maximum output is 27.5hp and 49.7 ft lbs.

Stevos_loboy
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Stevos_loboy » Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:25 pm

How is the diesel swap going? I am also contemplating a swap as such. I'm interested in knowing how the pan & lower end fall between the frame rails. Also, how far off is the cooling fan / radiator shroud? Do you plan to re-purpose the fuel tank for use with diesel fuel or swapping tanks? Any photo's of the rascal would be great!

Gumbert1542
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:55 pm
Zip Code: 15434

Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Gumbert1542 » Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:22 am

I need some lessons on how to post pics. Hopefully I’ll make some headway tomorrow and show you guys what it’s like so far. Any ideas how I can post pics??

BigBill
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby BigBill » Mon Jan 06, 2020 12:52 am

I double walled my 154 frame from the front to the front loader brackets. Using steel channel that’s the same height.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.

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Glen
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Re: 154 Diesel engine swap

Postby Glen » Sun Jan 12, 2020 12:45 am

Hi,
To post pics, below the box where you write what you want to post, is a tab that says Attachments. Click on that, and a box that says Add Files will come on. Click on that, and the pics stored in your computer will come on, select the pic you want, click on it and it will load in. If it is too big, it won't work, I think it says if the pic is too big. Then you will need to reduce the size of the pic.

Type your message to post, you can look at it and the pics before posting them by clicking the Preview button next to the Submit button.
Then when it is how you want it, post it, the pics will be there too. :)


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