What year/model am I?

[ChickenPoop 15]

Hey all. Brand new here and need help. I recently bought a Wheel Horse. All decals and plates are pretty well gone. The only plate is on the engine. It seems to be in pretty good condition. The guy I bought it from said it’s from the 70’s. Any help figuring out the year and model would be appreciated!

 

No. 2. I got her home and put her to work the next day. I was mowing my field and after about 45 min to an hour, she died. It was late so I came back the next day and she started up after fidgeting with the choke and throttle. After a few minutes of mowing she died again. I got it to start after fidgeting with the choke and throttle but died again after about 10 seconds. She always starts up after dying but just wont keep running longer than 30 seconds max.

 

Again, any help is appreciated!

[ChickenPoop 15]

4 minutes ago, ChickenPoop said:

 

[Pullstart 62,840]

 

it looks like a C145 or C125 or C105 or C165 to me, depending on the engine.  We need to figure out if this is fuel or ignition related.  Try loosening the gas cap once.  The vent may be plugged, starving the engine.  Also, try disconnecting the condenser once and see if that changes anything.

 

*edit* I was up in the middle of the night.  I didn’t see the engine plate.  It would be considered a C165.  Lots of brute strength right there!

Edited June 1, 2023 by Pullstart

[SylvanLakeWH 25,547]

 

It's going to be a 1980-84 - Only years for the Black Hoods...

 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

Kohler made the engine in 1998 so not original to the tractor but they made it for Wheel Horse.

[Achto 27,570]

 

[953 nut 55,198]

From the symptoms you have mentioned it sounds like the fuel system could use a bit of attention. If it were my tractor I would drain out the old fuel, replace the fuel line and filter, confirm that the fuel pump is working and rebuild the carburetor. Another consideration is that gas with ethanol is bad for small engines. Use ethanol free gas (sometimes sold as recreational fuel)   https://www.pure-gas.org/

[tunahead72 2,412]

8 hours ago, ChickenPoop said:

.... All decals and plates are pretty well gone. The only plate is on the engine...

 

 

 

Did you look on the blank cover below the main dash plate?  There might be an ID tag there.

 

Also, do yourself a favor and make sure the ignition switch is in the off position while the engine is not running.  And check the coil to see if it's physically hot to the touch.

 

1 hour ago, gwest_ca said:

Kohler made the engine in 1998 so not original to the tractor but they made it for Wheel Horse.

 

@gwest_ca Where did you get the year 1998, from the serial number somehow?  I believe you, just curious and haven't seen the Kohler documents to show it.

 

That particular spec number is apparently a bit of a mystery here.  I just did a quick search and found it mentioned on a Charger 12, a C-125 and an SK-486.  It looks like it has a plastic flywheel cover, maybe from a Magnum?  @ChickenPoop Can you give us a close-up photo of both engine tags?  And just as a reality check, how many head bolts does it have?

 

It also looks like from a couple of the photos that it might be tilted forward a bit... @ChickenPoop Can you see how it's mounted to the frame?  It should have a "special" oil pan mounted to a cradle system both at the front and rear of the engine.

 

For the record (so it shows up in a search if anybody's looking), this is a Kohler K341AS, spec. 71358, serial no. 2817520511.

 

 

[pfrederi 17,734]

Edited June 1, 2023 by pfrederi

[tunahead72 2,412]

That answers that part of it, thank you Paul! 

 

[ChickenPoop 15]

 

6 hours ago, tunahead72 said:

 

Did you look on the blank cover below the main dash plate?  There might be an ID tag there.

 

Also, do yourself a favor and make sure the ignition switch is in the off position while the engine is not running.  And check the coil to see if it's physically hot to the touch.

 

 

@gwest_ca Where did you get the year 1998, from the serial number somehow?  I believe you, just curious and haven't seen the Kohler documents to show it.

 

That particular spec number is apparently a bit of a mystery here.  I just did a quick search and found it mentioned on a Charger 12, a C-125 and an SK-486.  It looks like it has a plastic flywheel cover, maybe from a Magnum?  @ChickenPoop Can you give us a close-up photo of both engine tags?  And just as a reality check, how many head bolts does it have?

 

It also looks like from a couple of the photos that it might be tilted forward a bit... @ChickenPoop Can you see how it's mounted to the frame?  It should have a "special" oil pan mounted to a cradle system both at the front and rear of the engine.

 

For the record (so it shows up in a search if anybody's looking), this is a Kohler K341AS, spec. 71358, serial no. 2817520511.

 

 

 

 

There is an ID tag but there's nothing on it. The flywheel cover is metal and there's 10 head bolts. I checked the "tilt". It looks to be mounted right. Then again, this is my first Wheel Horse. I'll take some close ups. I checked the oil pan. I can see the oil pan. Are you saying there should be 2 separate pans? Gonna order some parts. Anyone have a good place to order a carb kit from?

 

Edited June 1, 2023 by ChickenPoop
Add pics

[ChickenPoop 15]

Here’s the sliver view of the oil pan. 

[tunahead72 2,412]

2 hours ago, ChickenPoop said:

... There is an ID tag but there's nothing on it. The flywheel cover is metal and there's 10 head bolts. I checked the "tilt". It looks to be mounted right. Then again, this is my first Wheel Horse. I'll take some close ups. I checked the oil pan. I can see the oil pan. Are you saying there should be 2 separate pans?...

 

Okay, just a different flywheel cover than I'm used to seeing.  10 bolts is correct for a K341.  I don't see anything wrong with the way your engine is mounted, but I'm no expert...  Anybody else?  And no, just one oil pan, the one for these engines with the cradle mount is smaller, so the oil capacity is less.  I don't have the numbers in front of me right now, but for example on a 10 hp K241, the special/AS engine holds 1-1/2 quarts, while the regular version holds 2-1/2.

 

[oliver2-44 9,743]

Check that the rubber bushing that hold the engine down are in good condition and bolts snug. Also check the rails that the engine cradle bolts too are tight

[ChickenPoop 15]

Thanks! I’ll check those bolts today. I took the carb off to clean it. Removed the bowl and….. Took a wire brush to it and got what I could out. Would throwing it in a sonic cleaner be ok?

Edited June 1, 2023 by ChickenPoop

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

The Kohler service manuals have the serial number to year of manufacture near the front of the manuals.

They have been copied to our files. Do a search using the word dating.  You can view all of them without downloading anything. Just click on the pictures to enlarge them.

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

At one time the ID plates were riveted to the front lip of this panel. The plates faced the front of the tractor.

 

[tunahead72 2,412]

4 hours ago, ChickenPoop said:

... I took the carb off to clean it. Removed the bowl and….. Took a wire brush to it and got what I could out. Would throwing it in a sonic cleaner be ok?

 

Looks like your fuel system is certainly at least part of the problem.  That's a LOT of dirt there in your photos, and I would recommend all the things that Richard @953 nut suggested above.  I've never used an ultrasonic cleaner, but others here certainly have with great success.

 

I'll send you a PM a little later this evening.

 

[tunahead72 2,412]

I forgot to mention...

 

If your goal right now is to get this engine running better so you can get back to mowing quickly, by all means take care of the carb and the rest of the fuel system the best you can and keep moving.

 

But if you have some time, while the carb is off is an excellent opportunity to clean out the breather system and adjust the valves, and also just inspect/clean/lube anything else at the front of the engine that's exposed at that point.

 

[oliver2-44 9,743]

31 minutes ago, tunahead72 said:

I forgot to mention...

 

If your goal right now is to get this engine running better so you can get back to mowing quickly, by all means take care of the carb and the rest of the fuel system the best you can and keep moving.

 

But if you have some time, while the carb is off is an excellent opportunity to clean out the breather system and adjust the valves, and also just inspect/clean/lube anything else at the front of the engine that's exposed at that point.

 

As part of you carb cleaning the long needle has tiny holes in it. Inspect closely and spray carb cleaner with the straw through them. 

Edited June 2, 2023 by oliver2-44

[John2189 452]

23 hours ago, ChickenPoop said:

Hey all. Brand new here and need help. I recently bought a Wheel Horse. All decals and plates are pretty well gone. The only plate is on the engine. It seems to be in pretty good condition. The guy I bought it from said it’s from the 70’s. Any help figuring out the year and model would be appreciated!

 

No. 2. I got her home and put her to work the next day. I was mowing my field and after about 45 min to an hour, she died. It was late so I came back the next day and she started up after fidgeting with the choke and throttle. After a few minutes of mowing she died again. I got it to start after fidgeting with the choke and throttle but died again after about 10 seconds. She always starts up after dying but just wont keep running longer than 30 seconds max.

 

Again, any help is appreciated!

Is the rear fender steel or fiberglass?

[bds1984 1,429]

C156s are great machines.  I've had mine for close to thirty years and will never part with it!  Although I have seen worse, that carb is one dirty bird.  I don't think an ultra sonic cleaner will harm it, I really can't see one making it any worse!

[oliver2-44 9,743]

Ultrasonic cleaners work great on carbs. 

[ChickenPoop 15]

17 hours ago, John2189 said:

Is the rear fender steel or fiberglass?

It’s metal.

 

cleaned the carb and put it in the sonic cleaner for a bit. Looking pretty good. Hooked everything up and she’s running pretty good now. The carb needs some adjusting but she’s running steady. Sharpened the blades today. They were blunt as could be. Mowed the lawn with my two little girls and they had a blast riding with dad. I’m looking forward to getting her cleaned up. Just wish I knew exactly what model and year I have. Got to do some more research. Thank you everyone for the help!

[John2189 452]

1 hour ago, ChickenPoop said:

It’s metal.

 

cleaned the carb and put it in the sonic cleaner for a bit. Looking pretty good. Hooked everything up and she’s running pretty good now. The carb needs some adjusting but she’s running steady. Sharpened the blades today. They were blunt as could be. Mowed the lawn with my two little girls and they had a blast riding with dad. I’m looking forward to getting her cleaned up. Just wish I knew exactly what model and year I have. Got to do some more research. Thank you everyone for the help!

I get why you want to know what model and year it is, but as long as it runs,does what you need it to do and you and your girls are happy. What does it matter. 
if you ever need parts or attachments for it, the very knowledgeable guys on here will help you get what you need. 

anyway , my guess is that it is a c165 8 speed. 

I also have a c165 8 speed with no serial tag im trying to determine the year either 80,81 or 84.