Old Kohler 2 cyl

[RetroMower 349]

Saw this generator on marketplace and I was wondering if these have an identifying number like the single cylinder k241s or k301s etc... owner says no spark so maybe the $200 asking price is worth it for the motor alone 

Edited May 1, 2023 by RetroMower

[Achto 27,594]

1 hour ago, RetroMower said:

maybe the $200 asking price is worth it for the motor alone 

 

Depends on what you want to do with the engine. Being a generator engine, it more than likely has a tapered PTO shaft instead of a strait keyed shaft.

[RetroMower 349]

47 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Depends on what you want to do with the engine. Being a generator engine, it more than likely has a tapered PTO shaft instead of a strait keyed shaft.

Hmm that does change things. This is one of those things I'd love to have just to get ideas for it. Same goes for a Wisconsin 4cyl that I've been searching for. I want one to make an overpowered "hot rod" type rider. I probably wouldn't butcher a coveted WH for this and if I would I'd be hesitant to post it here for fear of the inevitable tar and feathering I'd receive for such blasphemy. Thank you forthe tip. I wonder if there's a certain way to determine this possibly tapered output shaft? 

[Rick3478 428]

4 hours ago, RetroMower said:

Saw this generator on marketplace and I was wondering if these have an identifying number like the single cylinder k241s or k301s etc... owner says no spark so maybe the $200 asking price is worth it for the motor alone 

 

These were made in a couple sizes.  Going from memory, I think maybe they were K482, K532, something like that.  Probably old RV genset.

[ebinmaine 67,552]

3 hours ago, Rick3478 said:

K482, K532

 

Rick's headed the right direction here. 

 

There were also K582 (23 HP) and a larger one that's over "K6xx" (24 HP).  

 

I don't know the year range in total.  

Somewhere in the 50s and well into the 80s. 

 

I have a K582 for a tractor project and a 24 HP that is a generator similar to the one pictured above but painted blue. 

 

6 hours ago, RetroMower said:

probably wouldn't butcher a coveted WH for this and if I would I'd be hesitant to post it here for fear of the inevitable tar and feathering I'd receive for such blasphemy

 

Do NOT be concerned about that.  

Many MANY people have repowered or completely engineered whole machines using "coveted Wheelhorse"  pieces. I wouldn't disassemble a good machine and hesitate to modify good parts but I'd gladly save an old rusty machine from the salvage yard or rotting in a field.  

I'm quite sure @Achto @Pullstart @wallfish  @Wild Bill 633 and dozens more who have built AMAZING customs would tell you the same. 

 

 

Build the hot rod. 

DO post it here. 

Many of us would LOVE to see it.  

 

 

[953 nut 55,280]

11 hours ago, RetroMower said:

owner says no spark so maybe the $200 asking price is worth it for the motor alone

If you are interested in it take along a good battery, a coil and a test light or meter. Clean up the points, unhook the condenser, check the gap to be about .020" see if 12 volts gets to the coil "+" anc check for spark. If there is no spark replace the coil and see if it will run on one cylinder. If it runs on one then change plug wires and see if it will run on the other cylinder.

[pfrederi 17,741]

[pacer 3,173]

@pfrederi Geez, thank you for that info on the adapter --- few yrs ago I turned down a nice k532 at $100 because it had a tapered shaft , ------course I'll prolly never see another 

[RetroMower 349]

Heck with that adapter available I really don't have a reason to not go check it out. As suggested I'll probably take a battery and give it a go next time I'm off work. Hopefully the points are as easily accessible as the single cyl version I'm accustomed to 

[ebinmaine 67,552]

12 minutes ago, RetroMower said:

Hopefully the points are as easily accessible

Kinda thinkin' they're up near the coil at the top. 

 

If that needs a coil you can use an aftermarket replacement that fits old Harleys. 20, 25 bucks online.  

[pacer 3,173]

Yes, the points are on the top near carb/manifolds/exhaust/etc. In my (a bit limited) experience with the twins is the coil is seemingly more prone to failure than the other K's. Just cked the bay and there are dozens of coils of the import types, all in the $25 range. If its been sitting then the points will at least need cleaning - prone to get a 'glaze?' on them. They are typical kohler in that its pretty basic/simple to ck for the spark and you shud be able to figure it out pretty easily .... might be better to NOT mention that youve found the spark problem to the seller 

 

And @ebinmaine is correct about the Harley coils --- some 10 yrs ago before the influx of the after mkt parts I had a K482 twin that had a bad coil and new was a whopping $280 .... I ran a $5 flea mkt Harley coil on it for a loooong time.

[ebinmaine 67,552]

2 hours ago, pacer said:

. might be better to NOT mention that youve found the spark problem to the seller

 

I agree with that !! 

[RetroMower 349]

Would a coil off a k series be adequate? I have a couple of those laying around 

[RetroMower 349]

17 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Many MANY people have repowered or completely engineered whole machines using "coveted Wheelhorse"  pieces. I wouldn't disassemble a good machine and hesitate to modify good parts but I'd gladly save an old rusty machine from the salvage yard or rotting in a field.  

I'm quite sure @Achto @Pullstart @wallfish  @Wild Bill 633 and dozens more who have built AMAZING customs would tell you the same. 

 

 

Build the hot rod. 

DO post it here. 

Many of us would LOVE to see it.  

 

 

 Wow you really weren't kidding 

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by RetroMower

[ebinmaine 67,552]

6 hours ago, RetroMower said:

 Wow you really weren't kidding 

 

 

Nope.  

 

There are MANY custom machines out there made outta Wheelhorses or parts of em.  

 

[ebinmaine 67,552]

6 hours ago, RetroMower said:

Would a coil off a k series be adequate? I have a couple of those laying around 

From a single cylinder?   I'd think it would at least give you an inkling of direction... 

[wallfish 17,002]

$200 is a good deal so go get it if it ain't already gone. Better bring some help too because that engine alone is HEAVY and that gen head is going to be about the same. One guy isn't picking that thing up off the ground

 

[ebinmaine 67,552]

46 minutes ago, wallfish said:

 

 engine alone is HEAVY 

Mine weighs 

180 lbs or so. 

 

 

gen head is going to be about the same. TWO BIG GUYS... isn't picking that thing up off the ground

 

Total weight on that unit is going to be between 275 and 375 depending on how it's outfitted.  

 

 

[pacer 3,173]

11 hours ago, RetroMower said:

coil off a k series be adequate?

 

 In my experience with the twin mentioned having some 10+ yrs ago, before I found the Harley coil at the flea mkt I tried 2 auto type coils with .... some success? Never did run really good, and I was glad to get the Harley coil. In your case of just seeing if you can get a spark ...... well, my experience would be ....iffy? If you still dont get a spark with a different coil, is it the coil, or......??

[AHS 1,440]

23 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Total weight on that unit is going to be between 275 and 375 depending on how it's outfitted.  

 

 

I see why they didn’t use the larger of the Kohler twin! On the other hand, if the motor is placed just right, there would be more weight on the rear end instead of the front end.

[wallfish 17,002]

1 hour ago, AHS said:

I see why they didn’t use the larger of the Kohler twin! On the other hand, if the motor is placed just right, there would be more weight on the rear end instead of the front end.

[AHS 1,440]

@wallfish @ebinmaine wow, i forgot about the Gravely, you hook a trailer full of wood to the Gravely and you’d be pulling a wheelie! What is there holding the front end down, a fuel tank? I know Gravelys are built tough. Ive never ridden on one.

[RetroMower 349]

Well I went to look at it with a battery, coil and tools in tow. I only needed the battery to tell it had serious issues as it was extremely tight and would  barely turn. I knew enough to walk away. It probably could have been rebuilt but im not desperate for one and there are others out there. Thanks for all the help fellas 👍 

[pfrederi 17,741]

3 hours ago, RetroMower said:

Well I went to look at it with a battery, coil and tools in tow. I only needed the battery to tell it had serious issues as it was extremely tight and would  barely turn. I knew enough to walk away. It probably could have been rebuilt but im not desperate for one and there are others out there. Thanks for all the help fellas 👍 

Good call.. Replacement parts for those are $$$$ if you can find them