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oliver2-44

Building a Kohler k321 From Parts

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oliver2-44

Some time ago I picked up a parts K321 at an old farm repair shop that had originally been some type of blower motor.  No spec decal left, so Guessing maybe for a grain silo dryer. 
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Interesting flywheel with no fins as the blower wheel provided the cooling air flow through the custom housing. 

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The crank, head and oil pan had been robbed off it. The piston was stuck in the bore but didn’t take much to remove.  I cleaned the bore and ran a quick hone through it to see what I had.  The bore measures well within spec but has some pitting from sitting outdoors with the piston in it. 

So it will need to be bored. 
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It is a narrow base block. It does not have a hole for an oil dip stick, so that would have to be in the oil pan. 
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I went through my parts and found/cleaned up everything I need to rebuild it.   47D92E12-2AD7-4076-B7D8-894BFD96A995.jpeg.cd70932387163ebb8dd3b0c08b99cc5a.jpegF6BC1C5C-4E4C-48B4-BFA1-082FD61ED119.jpeg.f8664a9d701bc18c38d32c732c683520.jpeg
The crank rod journal will need grinding but otherwise it is in good condition.  I have a question to make sure this is the correct crank for a K321. As I don’t know what it originally came from.   I know the large block Kohler cranks have different size counter weights per HP, but searched and couldn’t find any good information. 
so does this look like the correct crank for a k321. 

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This is a 13 fin block if I’m counting right, so I think it also could be bored to a k341 if that turned out to be a k341 crank. 
932F61A9-D544-4BBC-9704-FC7B290251B8.jpeg.12730bb16584d4f2768182d2a31c941b.jpeg Theirs no model identifier cast into the side of the block, it just says F/6.   I recently found a machine shop that still machines old engines and the grind crankshafts. It’s 3 hours from home. But it’s 1:15 from the farm. I guess I’ll be adding a stop to or from going to see Mom. 
 

I appreciate any comments. 
 

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kpinnc
Posted (edited)
3 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

This is a 13 fin block if I’m counting right, so I think it also could be bored to a k341 if that turned out to be a k341 crank. 

 

I thought 14 and 16 cranks are the same?  

Edited by kpinnc

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Achto
4 hours ago, kpinnc said:

I thought 14 and 16 cranks are the same? 

 

4 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

 I know the large block Kohler cranks have different size counter weights per HP,

 

Kohler K301, K321, & K341 all share the same crank with a stroke of 3.250" A K321 block can be bored to 3.75" to make it a 16HP. Many pullers use the 14hp block to build a 16hp engine. The 14hp block is preferred because the crank shaft is centered with the bore. The crank of a K341 16hp block is offset slightly from the center of the bore. Dynamic or static balancing the crank to the piston & rod can be accomplished by drilling holes in the counter weights, or welding existing holes shut. 

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ebinmaine

I'll be following with interest 

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oliver2-44
Posted (edited)
10 hours ago, Achto said:

Kohler K301, K321, & K341 all share the same crank with a stroke of 3.250" 


So I did some research on Partstree looking at multiple Wheel Horse spec Kohler engines of each size and come up with these crankshaft part numbers

 

K341 crankshaft 45 142 21-s

k321 crankshaft 45 142 21-s

k301 crankshaft 47 142 16-s

k241 crankshaft 47 142 02-s

 

So this indicates the k341 and k321 use the same crank. 

The K301 having a different part number isn’t fully conclusive that it’s actually a different crank. 
 

My inquisitive mind wants to find a picture of a K301 crank. 

The k241 was the most expensive @ $1076. 
 

 

Edited by oliver2-44
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