Keaton 437 #1 Posted August 12 I got a rebuild kit for my k161 I thought it was a k181 that was my fault but will my k181 rings fit a k161? and are all the gaskets the same just a different bore? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,387 #2 Posted August 12 (edited) Depending on the year of the K161 - maybe. Early (61 and 62, maybe 63 had a smaller bore). The later ones, when the 8 hp K181 was introduced in 1964 share the same block, but with a larger bore. The stroke is longer on the K181 - rod, crank are different, perhaps the piston too. Rings are bore dependent. Gaskets are the same on later K161 and K181. This attachment may help - look at the specs... STANDARD bore?? If so, you NEED to check the bore in various places for size to determine out-of-round, taper, and excessive wear ACCURATELY at dis-assembly. You may need more than just rings....... Also the right time to evaluate the condition of the valves, seats, & guides, along with the rod journal bore and the crank diameter If you are patient enough to decipher the readings, the engine will tell exactly what is going on with it. You MAY wish to have a Machine Shop that is competent and familiar with Kohler K series engines to take the readings if you do not have the necessary measuring tools. Note the location of the oil hole on the rod - it will install backwards, but kill the engine. KohlerKseriesManual.pdf Edited August 12 by ri702bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keaton 437 #3 Posted August 13 @ri702bill it is a 1961 701 and it it std bore and it is smaller than that k181 piston I checked but can I use the k181 rings? will they need filed down Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,387 #4 Posted August 13 (edited) Hmmm... Risky, at best. You are asking to modify a set of precision parts by squeezing them out of shape to a smaller size... Ring "drag" on the cylinder walls will be higher, AND perhaps the compression rings may not actually be round & touching the wall evenly. Best to explore related items along with the bore. Reusing the original piston?? Is the skirt area all worn and does the piston rock "excessively" in the bore?? Refer to the specs.... DO check the actual size of the bore accurately - 60+ years of usage that bore will have wear. The good news - those early small bore blocks can get successfully bored out to the larger K161 / K181 size where replacement parts are plentiful. Just takes time & money..... Best part - being all internal components, no one gets to have to know!! As Kenny Rogers sang "Ya gotta know when to hold 'em..... know when to fold 'em." I for one am in favor of fixing it once, not fixing it over... Edited August 13 by ri702bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keaton 437 #5 Posted August 13 @ri702bill what is the best rebuild kit to buy I need gaskets and rings for a k161 and a fuel pump gasket, the one on amazon was wrong. so the 701 engine is not getting rebuilt today Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keaton 437 #6 Posted August 16 anyone got any ideas I was looking at lil red barn on ebay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mflowers 85 #7 Posted August 24 I just got mine for a K341 from https://iSavetractors.com and couldn’t be happier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
