Urba Centurion Update - (Kubota diesel, 100+ MPG in mixed driving - Fall 2012 on)

[COcyclist]

Cool project. I bought the magazine in '82 but never built a Centurion. You are getting some amazing mileage with 35 year old technology.

[changzuki]

Replacing the Original Centurion's water pump.
The original water pump is externally mounted on this Kubota D750.
-
A Quick Recap:
This particular early Kubota D750 was thermosiphon cooling which would not have been adequate for this application. So, to address this, R.Q. Riley added a water pump and thermostat.
-
The water pump itself is still relatively cheap if purchased brand new (under $25 USD). And the thermostat is about another $7.
-
In the last photo you can also see a new oil filter (it's red). While the water pump was off, I replaced the original Kubota oil filter.
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
Another project done.
-
~CrazyJerry~

[Stubby79]

Interesting. I'd better confirm my D905 doesn't have such a water pump setup...

[changzuki]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

Interesting. I'd better confirm my D905 doesn't have such a water pump setup...

You should be ok - this thermosiphon setup was found on early Kubota engines. They have since included standard style water pumps on these engines.
-
~CrazyJerry~

[changzuki]

Replacing the original Centurion's radiator.
-
Due to age and debris in the cooling system, the original radiator was in need of a replacement. Replacement radiators are more like "close approximate matches" which is good enough.
-

-

-

-

With the new radiator in a test run was in order. No leaks and the little Kubota runs supreme!
-
~CrazyJerry~
-

[changzuki]

Happy Halloween!
-
~CrazyJerry
-

[changzuki]

Addressing the original Centurion's charging system.
Somewhere along the line, the wires connecting original Kubota dynamo to the rest of the car's electrical system were removed.
-

-
-
In the hunt for these wires, it was also noted that the dynamo's voltage regulator was also missing.
-

-
-
Using Kubota's factory wiring diagram, it was fairly easy to make a new wiring whip and connect it with the new voltage regulator.
-
The story continues....
-
~CrazyJerry~
-

[changzuki]

-Centurion's oil filter-
-
In the previous posts, the external water pump (and hardware) was removed for replacement. During this time it was discovered the original oil filter was still intact. With this easy access replacement of the original Kubota oil filter was next on the list but it was not without it's own little challenge!
-

-
The auto parts store had a valid part number for a Fram oil filter replacement. Next to the original Kubota filter there is a small height difference - but it's enough to cause a problem - once installed, the filter contacts the shock tower.
-

-

-
Back to the auto parts and this time I brought the original filter and spent some time comparing it to the ones on the shelf.
-
Luckily a cheap Purolator was stocked and fit perfectly!
-

-

-
-
New oil and filter... onward ho!
-
~CrazyJerry~
-

[changzuki]

For those who celebrate it:
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
-
CrazyJerry~
-

[changzuki]

The electrical system on the original Centurion needs attention.
-

-
-
First on the list was a new ignition switch which is made exactly by Kubota as the original Centurion has. Easy peasy..
-

-
-
Second was a bit more challenging. No lights, etc.... So all the rocker switches were removed, disassembled, and contacts sanded with 1500 grit paper.
-

-

-
-
Now all the lights, etc, work. One of the strip lights added from the "Total Recall" movie still have a couple bulbs working.
-

-

-

-
-
Now that the dash lights work it's easy to see that the gauges are all foggy from the inside of the lenses and will need to be either disassembled and cleaned or replaced...
-

-
-
~CrazyJerry~