Old Style Kohler vs. Kohler Magnum

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Hello,

I just have a quick question that I would like to get some help with. As you all know in the 1960's, 1970's, and the early 1980's, Wheel Horse put cast iron Kohler motors in their tractors. During the 80's Kohler introduced their Kohler magnum motors. These motors were put in the 300 and 400 series tractors, and maybe others that I can not think of.

Anyways, my question is are the Kohler Magnum motors comparable in quality to the old cast iron Kohler motors or were they more "economy" made motors?

Thanks for the help and imput! :woohoo:

[WH nut 553]

I have had very good luck with the Magnums, but I still like the old K series better. With proper maintanence they either one will last a very long time.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,147]

my question is are the Kohler Magnum motors comparable in quality to the old cast iron Kohler motors or were they more "economy" made motors?

For the sake of this discussion, a single-cylinder Magnum is a K series with an "electronically-triggered" magneto.

Quality is equal -- and there's no breaker points to deal with. :woohoo:

[Kelly 1,030]

What TT said, and one other thing they have the nonadjustable carb. but that is a simple swap if you have to.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,147]

one other thing they have the nonadjustable carb.

That actually depends on date of manufacture, spec number and/or application. (I'm talking Magnum singles in general - not just Wheel Horse-specific)

There were early Magnums with adjustable main jet Kohler carburetors - just like the very last of the K series engines. (Carter "N" copies)

I edited this post after I went and looked at the carb from the '86-ish M12 Power King parts engine in the shop. It is a #26 Kohler carb- I thought it was a Walbro.

[can whlvr 993]

as tt said,they are vitually the same,the only real differences are the electrics,and on my 1987 14magnum,it has a plastic flywheel,i guess to save a few dollars

[TT-(Moderator) 1,147]

on my 1987 14magnum,it has a plastic flywheel,i guess to save a few dollars

Just the cooling fins are plastic. Much easier and cheaper to mold plastic bolt-on fins than cast and machine entire finned flywheel.

It's also easier & cheaper for us to replace a broken plastic ring of fins than the whole flywheel. :woohoo:

[can whlvr 993]

ah yes that makes sence,about the plastic fins

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Thanks for the input! :woohoo:

[buckrancher 2,694]

one other thing they have the nonadjustable carb.

That actually depends on date of manufacture, spec number and/or application. (I'm talking Magnum singles in general - not just Wheel Horse-specific)

There were early Magnums with adjustable main jet Kohler carburetors - just like the very last of the K series engines. (Carter "N" copies)

I edited this post after I went and looked at the carb from the '86-ish M12 Power King parts engine in the shop. It is a #26 Kohler carb- I thought it was a Walbro.

my 95 and 96 m14's both have adjustable carb jets for high and low speed

but the 89 414-8 with a m14 had a nonadjustable carb (high speed)

Brian

[8993-520 0]

They are for all purposes the same with a few exceptions but the main differance is the piston. The piston in the magnums is mahle coated in the ones I have torn down but other than that no differance. I have even used M cranks in K motors. Hope this helps a little.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,147]

The piston in the magnums is mahle coated

Mahle is the manufacturer - not a coating.

OEM (Kohler) current replacement pistons, rings, wrist pins, and connecting rods for the K series are now made by Mahle and must be replaced as a "group". The early-style Kohler parts are not compatible with the Mahle pieces and are getting harder to find.

As I posted a few weeks ago - the most notable difference is the type of ignition system.

[8993-520 0]

http://www.mahle.com/C12570B3006C0D49/Curr...7WRLDH978STULEN Just one site for you to look at. Not just a manufactur but a coating.

Been using it for years and it works great to reduce friction. And you can still get just replacenment pistons for kohlers and not have to replace everything as a group. Or at lreast you can in NC. But to be clear they also make a great product.

And the ignition is differant also.

[Shuboxlover 479]

This might be a stupid question....

But how the heck do you get the thing to run smoothly if you can't adjust anthing??? :thumbs2:

[TT-(Moderator) 1,147]

Not just a manufactur but a coating.

From the Mahle site you linked to:

The MAHLE engineers have now developed an innovative method for coating piston rings effectively: the PVD method (Physical Vapour Deposition). With this method, derived from motor racing, diamond like carbon coatings are vapour-deposited in a high vacuum. This creates a highly resistant coating with significantly lower frictional losses.

The old Kohler pistons, rings, etc. are around, but tough to find for certain models. (like the small bore K-161) More and more parts are becoming NLA, just like the old Briggs stuff.

What I was saying is that you can't put a Mahle piston on an old-style Kohler rod, etc.

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@Tyson:

Everything is lined up & locked down when assembled. If everything remains stock (and in good condition) it will run like it was designed.

Timing can be altered slightly by the use of an offset flywheel key.

[truckin88 104]

ok, then what about both of these compared to the commands that replaced the magnums

[8993-520 0]

I would have either one of the k or magnums 10 to 1 over a command. the command is a overhead valve motor which doesnt make it bad but I havebt seen one last like a k or m.