Did the NP203 change internally between 1974 and 1977?

Silver Square · Jul 8, 2024

The only shop manual I can find for the NP203 that goes into great and specific detail with step by step procedures with photos is this one https://ck5.com/forums/threads/np203-rebuild-guide.341563/ but it's for a 1974. Are the procedures and tools required the same? I've found all of the tools referenced in that manual, just want to make sure they're the same for 1977 before I spend $400 on them. I know I could probably do it without the sepcialty tools. But I've never done this before, and I want to have the correct tools required. I'll just sell them on when I'm done, or return them. Or just keep em. They're all Kent-Moore made in USA vintage stuff. May well be worth a fortune one day.

75gmck25 · Jul 8, 2024

There were problems with the internal chain drive on early NP203's and they used a different width in later models. The info I found says:

1973 - 1978 --> 3/8 Pitch x 2-1/2 W x 98 Pitch
1978 - 1979 --> 1/2 Pitch x 2 W x 72 Pitch

I don't know if the difference in chain size would affect any of the required tools.

Silver Square · Jul 8, 2024

Well, mine is a '77, and so is the used case I got according to the tag on it. So if that's all that changed, I guess I'm OK. Now I'm concerned as to whether or not I should spend the $300 on a new chain too. I suppose that if I'm going back to full time 4x4 with 33x12.50s in the future, it would be kinda dumb to not replace the chain while I have it torn apart. This is turning into a very expensive proposition lol.

75gmck25 · Jul 8, 2024

In the past they used to sell an NP203 chainsaver kit, but I haven't seen one advertised in a long time. I assume it just helped take out the slack in a worn chain, but maybe there was more to it.

Did the NP203 change internally between 1974 and 1977?

Silver Square

Full Access Member

75gmck25

Full Access Member

Silver Square

Full Access Member

75gmck25

Full Access Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Forum statistics