Decarboned Head KOHLER M14

[jonw440 187]

My 93 has a broken hour hour meter so I don't know the true hours. I have owned it for 14 or so years and when I bought it the meter was stuck at 334 hours.

I thought it needed to be de carboned. I wasn't to bad but Im glad I  did it.

 

 

[jonw440 187]

[jonw440 187]

I lapped the head flat with 320. That took over an hour but it came out great, nice and flat. New OEM Kohler head gasket, ultra sonic cleaned head bolts and wire brushed after. Torqued to 20 and then 30lbs.

[JimSraj 429]

Don’t forget to retorque after you run it for a while. 

[ri702bill 8,316]

You caught  that exhaust valve in time to prevent damage caused by loose carbon getting trapped under the valve , onto the seat. 

Do a couple of light load cycles to get the engine up to temp, let it cool - retorque. It may take 3 or 4 of these cycles to get a consistant torque reading cold - my record is SIX with a 6 HP Tecumseh!! Did you also chase the threads in the block with a tap??

 

 

Edited September 4, 2023 by ri702bill

[jonw440 187]

Great idea about the heat cycles thank you. No I didn't chase the threads............

[JoeM 7,873]

13 hours ago, jonw440 said:

wasn't to bad

that thing looks great. Don't mess with the carb, she's running right.

[ri702bill 8,316]

While the head is off (next time), take advantage of the opportunity to do a "wiggle test" on the valves when the valve is raised to check for excessive valve to guide clearance, Ir it rattles, that is too loose.

And to inspect both valve angled edges and seats, exhaust usually deteriorates first, for visable pitting or damage.