Engine swap on a Precedent???

[dynrat]

I have a 2004 Club Car Precedent. Got it from a golf course three years ago. It got the job done until now, but has been steadily losing power; low compression, blow-by, etc. I'm a mechanic by trade. Not a ton of small engine experience, but guessing I could figure it out to rebuild. The biggest problem for me is time. Between my full time gig and my side business I just don't have much. So I started looking at rebuilt engines and I found out I can get an FE350 for the same price as an FE290 (what my cart has). FE290 is rated at like 9 hp and I'm guessing mine is at more like 6-7 being as tired as it is. Going back to 9hp would already be an improvement, but if I can get 11+ hp for the same price it sure would be nice.

Long story short. Can I drop an FE350 straight into my cart or will it require other parts and/or modifications?

[lockman1]

The FE350 is a direct swap, The mufflers are different between the two,
but I've read the the 290 muffler will fit the 350.

[Fairtax4me]

If you can find one, yes it will drop right in.
Muffler is different but like Lockman said, the 290 muffler will bolt on, just the pipe ID at the head is smaller on the 290. Not sure if it makes any difference.

The thing to watch out for with the 350 if you get one used is the link rods for the balance weight tend to wear and cause a knocking sound. They will score the crankshaft, and if they knock for long enough they'll snap and push the counter weight through the block and ruin all kinds of stuff.

[CP241]

Agree with all the guru’s above. The 290 exhaust is noticeably smaller and may choke the 350 somewhat but I’ve never tried to see for sure.

That said, I’d personally take a 290 over the 350 just due to internal differences and longevity. The 290 is more rebuildable than the 350, notably on the counterbalance weight fairtax mentioned. On the 290 the bearings on the link rods are replaceable and the rods are steel. The 350 they’re not replaceable and I believe they are aluminum.

Truthfully though, the 290 is pretty much bulletproof and I don’t know what the cylinder bore is made from but I’m convinced it’s indestructible. I’ve never had to do anything more than a quick hone job to deglaze the cylinder, new rings and gaskets.

Rings, connecting rod, link rod bearings, valves, and gaskets you’re looking at MAYBE $150 in OEM parts to rebuild the engine. And it’s very very easy, I could do it start to finish in a couple hours if I had everything on hand before starting. Many times the valves are fine and the link rod bearings are fine as well, new rings, quick hone, and gaskets and you’re good to go. There’s oem part numbers you can look up on partzilla in the sticky 290 rebuild thread in this section.

Personally this is the route I would take, especially with as easy as this engine is to work on. Whole lot cheaper than buying a new engine.

I did replace a blown out 290 with a 350 in a DS once. It was a little stronger pulling hills, but overall I wouldn’t say it’s a HUGE difference between the two.

[Bassdeer]

I think you need to do a build thread with pictures when you do it.