John Deere 108 "SRT 24" [2016 Build-Off Entry]

Id personally go for a briggs L-head, or more commonly known as a flathead. They are dependable, cheap to replace and for the most part respond to mods really well. I dont know how big they get, but the biggest flathead single I've seen so far is a 13hp. Good luck on your search for a motor!

So here are this pictures that I promised. This first one is a general mock up of the front

Before I got the 820 in the frame I had to notch out a little bit so the case didn't hit the frame but if course I notched out a to more than I needed to but oh well


And I have been trying on getting the 8hp that came with it running smooth and I'm almost there

That paint job looks cool. I really like it.

Yellow and black looks neat.

Yea, I agree, that black and yellow looks sharp.

I would go with a flathead. I have never had luck with OHV or OHC engines, every one of them died within 2 weeks of me installing it. I have found the 12hp briggs flatheads to be very reliable. I have only killed one, and that was because it had sat out in the weather for 6 years before I got it and had been utterly worn out before that. I pulled the fan shroud off and drained the oil out of it, and it snapped the rod at 4500 rpm for 60 seconds. The other flatheads I've owned have never died on me. I roll them over, hold the throttle wide open while racing and pulling, and they just don't die.

cablguy2 wrote:

That paint job looks cool. I really like it.

mr.modified wrote:

Yellow and black looks neat.

rstolz wrote:

Yea, I agree, that black and yellow looks sharp.

Thanks guys it really means a lot, even though it's not the best paint when you look up close but oh well I'm slowly getting better at it. I seem to always put some sort of strip on the Lawnmowers I modify, I don't know why besides that they look cool, does anyone else like putting a strip on the hood of their mowers?

Alright guys it's been a while but this is update #4. So since it's been warm over here in michigan I've actually had some time to work on my stuff. And since it's spring peoe are trying to make some space by getting rid of stuff and at good prices too, so anyways I got my hands on a yard-man mtd lawnmower with a 15hp kohler command ohv for 50$ and it has all brand new tires that I may or may not use but its good to have extra tires, when I got the mower it wasn't running but with a little time it was back up and running like new the only thing that took a little time after fixing the motor was getting the engine pulley off and cleaning the shroud because it looked green from sitting outside for a while. I currently have the engine fitted into the 108 I just need a shorter dipstick of some kind because the stock one hits the hood besides that everything clears. The next big step is wiring the ignition and the electronic fuel pump that I installed, oh and it's grass cutting season so now I've got some money coming in soon so I can get my tires wheels and hubs but it's still gonna be a while before I've got all the money. Sorry for not having pictures my internet doesn't like me right now but I will get them uploaded asap

Cool. my simplicity landlord has a stripe down the middle of the hood.

Alright so in the second pic is the yard man mtd that i took the kohler out of and the first pic is my current progress on the john deere sorry the quality is bad but this is all i got

Alright so almost no progress has been made to the 108 mainly because I have no money to get any parts so right now it's kinda just sitting in my garage with a block under the front and a block under each of the axle shafts

Alrighty time for an update 1) I'm now using a 1968 Model 24 Cast Iron Block Briggs with a genuine Mikuni VM 22 dirtbike carb and a BIG Spectre Performance air filter 2) I'm now using a 36" 1 inch diameter live axle from BMI Karts along with a 3/4 inch jack shaft setup 3) I'm also using a 14 tooth centrifugal clutch that I'm running #40 chain 4) With my current gearing choice at 4200 rpm the machine will do 55 mph 5) I'm using an MTD front axle that's flipped over (I know it's probably gonna ***** the bed on me but it's whatever) 6) I'm using snowmobile handlebars with an atv thumb throttle with the handbrake 7) And lastly I bought a yellow seat with no tears for 10$

I'm a bit late here but I gotta say, that paint job looks awesome!

Depends on how old, and if it is horizontal or vertical shaft. i know in the 60s and 70s, the sears suburban were equipped with either a 16hp or 18hp briggs and stratton horizontal shaft flathead, or a tecumseh engine. cant remeber the size on the teccys. but those were cast iron and heavy, but reliable. My grandpa is running an 18hp in his suburban, and it just keeps goin and goin. he has had to do nothing to it but regular maintenance. Flatheads arent as efficient at the ohv engines, but are much less complex. personally for mudding mowers, i prefer the flatheads. they have decent low end power too.

Alright guys and gals so the 108 was coming together nicely until the engine pissed its oil out the side and started knocking which makes a little sense because the engine is 48 years old and it came from the scrapyard with my simplicity but anyways i'm now resorting to backup plan #4 which is a Predator 212 with a centrifugal clutch and straight piped exhaust but one i get this thing driving i will do the brakes, but thats all another update as soon as i get the clutch

Cool! Kinda sucks about that old Briggs, although it might be re-buildable.

I'd advise against flipping the axle upside down, because all the weight is on those E clips. What you could do is weld a washer on to the end of the shaft, but that means you couldn't remove the spindles if you wanted to. Predator should do you well.