They aren't giving you a cross reference as they wouldn't get a deck sale. Yes, they know. Find another dealer. They sell replacement 48s for these for that price. You should be correct in your assumption of those series decks fitting however. No cam issues on your kaw.

I went to another John deere dealer and got the same answer. My JD265 is obsolete. Th counter person looked it up on his JD black book and the models that the 265 is grouped in is no longer listed so he could no longer be of any help. He told me to contact John Deere to try and get some help.
So I guess I'll try and send an e-mail to their corporate website.
He made it sound as if 20 years is to old for a garden tractor.

46 was the common deck. I've seen 48s, but all were replacements. I'm guessing the 48 was a replacement deck to start with- correct? Might I suggest a different forum?

Here is a link that might be useful: Deere forum

Thanks Tom, I have been doing a search over there. I appreciate your help. If I find out anything I will post it.

Weekendfreedommachines.com is a good place to search.

You are correct on your first assumption. Any deck (38, 46, 48) off any of the tractors you listed above will work. (240 up to 320). I have a 285 with over 1000 hours on it, only thing I've done is the water pump gaskets.

I found a guy that was parting out a 265 with a blown engine. The whole back of the engine was blown off. The deck was a 46" and was in great shape compared to mine. I would have liked to have bought another 48" inch deck but I'm happy with the 46" inch deck. I think I will sand it and repaint it. I put it on to test it and all hooks up good. Thanks for everyones input.