Dan Knight 1 #1 Posted February 10 Hi Everyone. My Dad left me a 1965 855 with a K181S Kohler engine. He bought it when I was a kid. I'm planning on restoring it. I would really like to have someone rebuild the engine for me. The spark plug threads are cross threaded, and the gasket between the block and base is leaking oil. I had it running briefly and then it died. It was sitting for about 10 years. Any suggestions regarding a reliable person/company to rebuild it would be appreciated. I live in the Nashville area. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,561 #2 Posted February 10 (edited) Dan How mechanically inclined are you? Any chance we can guide you DIY? Many of us here are well versed in these engines. We have some comprehensive Kohler manuals here and it may be as simple as popping the head and chasing the plug threads. The base pan gasket is very easy to replace. Having the right tools can be a pitfall in DIY but not much is needed in the way of specialty tools. Some just make it easier. Other wise a suggestion is to contact local power centers and shops to see if they have any interests or suggestions. Be advised that it costs much more at a shop than DIY. There is always ship it to one of us but again $$. For instance I have a 181 SG motor ready for work. I would want 300 for it with your core motor on trade but shipping is a killer. BTW we love our here! Edited February 10 by WHX?? Speeling 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,364 #3 Posted February 10 We love the "Fireball" 8's! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,561 #4 Posted February 10 44 minutes ago, squonk said: We love the "Fireball" 8's! Absolutely... and 855s ! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,925 #5 Posted February 10 32 minutes ago, WHX?? said: 1 hour ago, squonk said: We love the "Fireball" 8's! Absolutely... and 855s ! And the 854's. Welcome!! So, what makes you think it needs a rebuild? Does it smoke from sitting that long with the rings stuck?? Maybe poor compression from a sticky valve? A first diagnosis would be to perform a Leak-Down Test - @squonk recently posted the correct procedure and listed what the test tells you about the overall condition of the engine. No biggie on the head - it can be Helicoiled so the plug fits like new. (or replaced). Stuck rings and valves can be dealt with without tearing the engine completely apart... not that difficult to free them up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 13,511 #6 Posted February 10 4 hours ago, Dan Knight said: Hi Everyone. My Dad left me a 1965 855 with a K181S Kohler engine. He bought it when I was a kid. I'm planning on restoring it. That is a great tractor/ engine combo and much more capable than the "8 hp" implies. Certainly worthy of restoration. I have an 867 (basically the 8-speed version of the same thing), and they are great tractors! You may not need a rebuild so much as a few minor repairs to get the engine purring again. Good luck either way! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,364 #7 Posted February 10 I have an 875 that sat for quite a bit of it's life. When started it smoked a little but nothing crazy. But I plan on using it to mow some so I decided to tear it down. Found not only stuck rings but vertical scratches on the piston skirt. I installed a K181 that I pictured here off of a B-80 that I put new rings and valves in. My 857 started to smoke a wee bit last summer off and on. The big thing is it stinks! You smell after using it. I plowed snow the other day and had to wash my coat and hat when done. I have the original 875 engine torn down and have installed a new piston and rings. Still have to do the valve seats and install the new vales in this motor. I plan on installing this engine into my 857when it finally warms up enough to start working on it again. The original 857 engine purrs but I can't use it a lot with the smell. Oil level doesn't change but I had the same issue with my C-160 engine that was using oil. The original 875 engine is a spark advance engine while the 857 engine is a compression release engine. I plan on rebuilding the 857 engine after the the other engine is in the tractor and running. Then I will decide to whether to swap it back or put it on the shelf for later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,266 #8 Posted February 10 (edited) I concur that getting the “family” K181 back in top shape is a terrific idea. These are real workers. When I brought my 854 (spark advance K181) back to life, I had the head off but the bore and piston and valves showed nothing that indicated a need to dig deeper so I didn’t (even the valve gaps were in spec)! Right now, I do get the expected small puff of black smoke while on choke at startup which disappears as soon as the choke is off. There is no discernible oil consumption so I’m pleased. Edited February 10 by Handy Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,388 #9 Posted February 10 Possibly @richmondred01 can help with a rebuild, if that’s what you are set on. https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/classifieds/for-sale/kohler-engine-rebuilding-r13682/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,388 #10 Posted February 10 Also, to the best internet site in the world! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,287 #11 Posted February 10 3 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Possibly @richmondred01 can help with a rebuild, if that’s what you are set on. https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/classifieds/for-sale/kohler-engine-rebuilding-r13682/ Thanks for the plug. I spoke with him today and unfortunately due to nerve damage in my left hand I can no longer install the two part cam with the spark advance. My fingers just can’t function well enough. That particular year had the two part cam and not the ACR. I told him that a proper rebuild needs the guides inspected and replaced if necessary which requires pulling the cam. I advised that I can’t do a half smacked job and not replace the guides if they need to be replaced. He understood. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,266 #12 Posted February 10 3 minutes ago, richmondred01 said: I advised that I can’t do a half smacked job and not replace the guides if they need to be replaced. Well said, but I am sorry to hear how this has limited you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,364 #13 Posted February 10 I have sort of the same issue. Nerve damage in my rt. hand and severe arthritis in my left basal thumb joint. The SA cam is going to have to stay in the engine I'm currently doing. No way I could get that cam back in. Could change it over to an ACR cam and lifters if I had the parts but unless the guides are really loose I'm gonna live with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,287 #14 Posted February 10 30 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Well said, but I am sorry to hear how this has limited you. If it’s not 100% then it’s a no go. If it was mine then that may be a different story like squonk said. But not for someone else. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,266 #15 Posted February 10 (edited) 15 minutes ago, richmondred01 said: If it’s not 100% then it’s a no go. If it was mine then that may be a different story like squonk said. But not for someone else. This series of posts has make me curious. Please school me on the effects/risks of out of spec guides. Edited February 10 by Handy Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 2,573 #16 Posted February 10 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Handy Don said: This series of post has make me curious. Please school me on the effects/risks of out of spec guides. Out of spec valve guides can allow the valves to wobble. That can cause all sorts of havoc, everything from a hung valve to a busted block. There may be more that I can't think of right now. Less of an issue on these engines, but 100% a problem on any overhead valve design it will also ruin the valve seals and cause oil consumption. The 855 is a great tractor. I love mine. Some of the implements give me fits from time to time, but overall I wouldn't trade it for the world. Edited February 10 by adsm08 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,925 #17 Posted February 10 Don - start off looking at pages 11.4 thru 11.6 why worn valve guides are bad..... KohlerKseriesManual.pdf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
