Don't rebuild a Kohler engine w/Kohler parts!

[Hammerhead 817]

I am rebuilding a 7 hp. Kohler for my 702 resto job. I ordered the parts from Kohler including, rod, 010. over piston, rings set, cam shaft kit, valves, springs, gasket kit, points, condensor and all the stuff to make it new inside. I was shocked at the price of this stuff! It was $800.00 and some change for crikey sakes! I about fell over. Then the machine shop charges $200.00 or so to grind the crank, do the valves and bore out the block. That doesn't include all the time I have in the reassembly of all the parts. So for about $1200.00 you can have a nice new engine! Don't tell the wife on this one! So my custom 702 is now a high priced trailer queen! LOL...I should have used a Stens kit on it for about $125.00....Ooops! I guess it will last forever being a show tractor and not being used alot. Anybody else have this happen? KJ

[Ken B 3,165]

Nope, it hasn't happened to me and it ain't gonna. That is just a wee bit outta my price range for a little 7 hp Kohler! Good luck with it though.

[Buckshot 1 15]

I just rebuild a K-301 for a Buddy. He is on the cheap side and we used the Stens kit. Even with the overbore and cut crank it (under a 100$ at the machine shop) and my reduced labor rate , it came in under 350$. On my K-321 I did two years ago, using all Kohler parts, piston, rod, valves and etc. and machine work, Mr. Kirks reground cam. It came in under 700$. So I am having a hard time understanding where 800$ of Kohler parts came from for a K-161.Also I do not know what the machine shops labor rate is in your part of the country, but 200$ seems high. If the Warden (wife) found out that I put that much money in a K-161, I would be living in the shop for the next ten years. :flags-usa:

[VinsRJ 723]

Made that mistake once before rebiulding a K161... Not again.

[Don1977 604]

I priced a piston and rings for a K-321 from NAPA it was $100 and they would have to order it and it would be $30 more. I didn't order it. My guess is they charged a premium price then nailed you with shipping on each individual part, but I still don't see how they came up with $800.

[Rooster 191]

We are so used to EBay prices…

When I buy new Briggs pistons they run from $65-$100 with my discount!

But $800???????

I can build race engines for the money some of you are spending for stock rebuilds! I've never had over $200 in a K motor?

[leeave96 488]

FWIW, I don't mind spending a pile of $$$'s on a "keeper/lifetime" machine, and I've got a couple - tractors that will out live me and will serve my boy's needs when it's their turn for a long time.

But it is hard to justify have a bunch of extra tractors on hand if they need major surgery and there is potential you will sell them down the road.

Bill

[Butch 194]

Generic piston and rod doesn't even come close to the quality and heftiness of the Kohler parts. But there are a lot of people having good luck with the cheaper parts.

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

This summer I had a K-341 rebuilt. Machine shop turned and polished the crank. New Kohler piston, rings, and rod. New carburator, and whatever else was needed. $865 was the total bill including R&R the engine, and tuning. Can't complain though. I got a quality built, and that engine should last a long long time. Actually I am very happy with it all.

[SousaKerry 502]

Think that's bad try buying Wisconsin parts sometime...

They get over $500 for a starter. New rings for your 4 cylinder $400 and change.

Did a little research bought a set of Hastings rings for under $100. Seal kit $25, Fuel pump $40 Head Gaskets $30.

$200 bucks for an aftermarket refresh but it took me a month to track down all the parts.

But I am still looking for that starter.

[MalMac 1,332]

I always use Kohler oem, but I don't pay that. Most of the time I order my parts from OEP engines. Most of the time they are 30 to 65% cheaper on oem parts. Kohler is pricey but you get what you pay for. If it is just going to be a show piece then I might think on using aftermarket. But for one that is going to get used for what it was intended, oem is prefered. I will admit to getting burned that way years ago that's why I started shopping around. Some of these dealers and part house's really stick you and never bat an eye.

[rick 245]

My 2 cents worth- I would rather buy a machine before it gets hacked by a bum engine job. I use my machines , both the WH tractors and Troy-Bilt Horse tillers, hard and expect them to hold up. I will stray from OEM only to improve, not to cheapen.