Kohler valve train kit

[Gravely Horse 17]

I’ve got a 520xi with a ch20 kohler. It has 982 hours. It runs fine, but after seeing this valve train kit on eBay, I was wondering if there is any harm or need to throw one in it. Any one have insight into this? 

[953 nut 55,836]

1 hour ago, Gravely Horse said:

It runs fine,

Everybody has an opinion, mine is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Bar Nuthin 558]

30 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Everybody has an opinion, mine is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

LOL, we are not the same! 

[John2189 460]

My Simplicity Sunstar has the ch20 it had the older style rockers that had the rounded ball pivot. One of the rockers broke in half, so I think that is the kit that I bought. 
The motor has so much blowby that when it warmed up, the vacuum fuel pump would stop working. Since I just installed the new style rockers, I could install the mechanical fuel pump that is on the valve cover.
It now runs better than it ever has. 

[oliver2-44 9,873]

iI your not getting any smoke in your exhaust that means your wrings and valve seals are still good. 

If you still have good power and good compression there's no need grind and lap the valves and seats.

 

 

[kpinnc 12,552]

3 hours ago, Gravely Horse said:

Any one have insight into this? 

I can speak for the Kohler V twin, but those rockers and pushrods are similar to Vanguard. My question to answer your question would be how often do you have to adjust your valves? On my Vanguards, you’re supposed to check them every 100 hours if memory serves. So far I’ve not had to readjust mine. 
 

I would say if your valve lash requires regular adjustment, maybe new rockers are in order. If not, I wouldn’t change them. 

[Gravely Horse 17]

Thanks for the responses. I just bought this tractor. I haven’t drove it more than maybe 7-8 minutes. I thought these had hydraulic lifters? I’m asking because I had to rebuild the engine on my generator for our semi after a valve keeper let loose and the valve dropped into the cylinder and the piston stuffed it back up thru a brand new hole in the head. Now I’m looking around the shop at all these overhead valve engines wondering who’s next. The tractors a 98, so I didn’t know if there was a model run that there were “issues” with. 

[Gravely Horse 17]

4 hours ago, kpinnc said:

I can speak for the Kohler V twin, but those rockers and pushrods are similar to Vanguard. My question to answer your question would be how often do you have to adjust your valves? On my Vanguards, you’re supposed to check them every 100 hours if memory serves. So far I’ve not had to readjust mine. 
 

I would say if your valve lash requires regular adjustment, maybe new rockers are in order. If not, I wouldn’t change them. 

My 96-97 Murray has a 18 hp vanguard that I bought new. I’ve never touched the engine itself. Guess I should pop the covers off that this winter. 

[Gravely Horse 17]

So I just checked the service manual and there’s no adjustment for the valves. Just a torque value for the bolts that hold the rocker arms. 

[953 nut 55,836]

5 hours ago, Gravely Horse said:

So I just checked the service manual and there’s no adjustment for the valves. Just a torque value for the bolts that hold the rocker arms. 

That being the case you have hydraulic lifters.  

[Wild Bill 633 849]

8 hours ago, Gravely Horse said:

So I just checked the service manual and there’s no adjustment for the valves. Just a torque value for the bolts that hold the rocker arms. 

Kohler Command uses SBC hydraulic lifters and with the rocker arm off the valve, torque the black (34mm long) rocker arm screw to 160 in-lbs and the silver (45mm long) screw to 120 in-lbs. Then lift the rocker arm and place on valve stem. It can be a little rough on the fingers. 

[TonyToro Jr. 1,607]

8 hours ago, Gravely Horse said:

So I just checked the service manual and there’s no adjustment for the valves. Just a torque value for the bolts that hold the rocker arms. 

My pulling tractor has a ch20 and has hydraulic valves. all you do is tightem them down and your good to go. 

[Gravely Horse 17]

8 minutes ago, Wild Bill 633 said:

Kohler Command uses SBC hydraulic lifters and with the rocker arm off the valve, torque the black (34mm long) rocker arm screw to 160 in-lbs and the silver (45mm long) screw to 120 in-lbs. Then lift the rocker arm and place on valve stem. It can be a little rough on the fingers. 

But there’s no preventative or scheduled maintenance that needs to be done I assume? Other than maybe popping the covers off and taking a look, or keeping an ear out for ticking. 

[Gravely Horse 17]

1 minute ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

My pulling tractor has a ch20 and has hydraulic valves. all you do is tightem them down and your good to go. 

Competition cams is known for selling crappy lifters in their kits, that need to be replaced with trw, sealed power, crower or some other good brand. Sometimes engine manufacturers get bad batches from their vendors too. That’s what I was getting at, but it doesn’t sound like the case. 👍🏻 Thanks for the intel. 

[kpinnc 12,552]

You may not have the same type as what I was referring to. 

 

12 hours ago, Gravely Horse said:

So I just checked the service manual and there’s no adjustment for the valves. Just a torque value for the bolts that hold the rocker arms. 

Edited November 25 by kpinnc

[Gravely Horse 17]

8 hours ago, kpinnc said:

You may not have the same type as what I was referring to. 

 

I don’t believe so but it reminded me to check the lash on the vanguard in the Murray.