69 Workhorse K321 engine swap

[Machineguy 876]

Hello everyone!

 

I finally picked up a Workhorse 700 and I’m doing a restoration with the exception of a Kohler K321 in place of the scavenged Tecumseh. Anyone done a similar swap and had trans issues or breakage problems? This isn’t going to be a puller, just gonna keep a 42” snow blade on it  for small snows and use it for light duty towing and putting around. I have the engine sitting around from another repower project and I have access to a large variety of machine tools and fabricating equipment. Any thoughts?

Edited July 19, 2018 by Machineguy

[953 nut 54,878]

         There should be no problem as far as the transmission goes, they were the same regardless of Horsepower. As you will probably be going from a magneto ignition to the battery powered the wiring will need to be changed. This thread will show you what is the same and what needs to be changed.

 

[Machineguy 876]

Thanks man! 

 

You're correct about changing up for the battery powered ignition vs the magneto. I appreciate the info on the abilities of the trans too. I've got a good K301 if the rears in these were a little weak. But my 14hp has fewer hours on it and I thought since there's no hi/low range I might want that extra torque. My Grandad had an old Wheelhorse that slipped away from me before I was enough to do anything about it.  I just got started collecting little tractors and I'm up to 7 and I'm pumped about this one!   

 

Thank you you for your service in our Military and for taking time to share a little knowledge with me! 

Edited July 19, 2018 by Machineguy

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,981]

If you put on a K321, I'm not sure the hood will fit back on. You might want to check that out. A k321 on a short frame should look pretty awesome though!

 

Mike

[Machineguy 876]

There’s a pic of the 700 and a Sears that I literally pulled from a scrap pile. I hate seeing solid, serviceable American Steel go to scrap! I consider these equipment, not appliances to be tossed out in 5 years like modern mowers 

[Machineguy 876]

3 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

If you put on a K321, I'm not sure the hood will fit back on. You might want to check that out. A k321 on a short frame should look pretty awesome though!

 

Mike

I need to go measure that for sure. I think the Kohler is somewhere around 17” tall? 

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,981]

It's a shame someone would scrap things like that. Nothing wrong with that 700. Looks a like a good one to get going again. 

 

I also can't believe that someone would scrap a sickle bar mower of any brand away!

 

The think the k321 will be too tall and too wide for the hood. You might have to find an 7 or 8hp kohler if you want the hood back on without being cut up.

[Machineguy 876]

1 minute ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

It's a shame someone would scrap things like that. Nothing wrong with that 700. Looks a like a good one to get going again. 

 

I also can't believe that someone would scrap a sickle bar mower of any brand away!

 

The think the k321 will be too tall and too wide for the hood. You might have to find an 7 or 8hp kohler if you want the hood back on without being cut up.

Yeah, nothing set in stone yet. I’ll mock it up and see what’ll work without any hacking. About the only thing I’ve decided I’d modify sheet metal wise is the drive belt cover. 

I’m glad I saved the Sears too. The sickle bar was frozen, tie rods broken thanks to being dropped by a loader. The loader picked it up by the steering wheel. People are so conditioned to think that hard work and effort is for fools. So most just scrap stuff and go finance new stuff. 

[Machineguy 876]

I know it’s not a WH but after a couple weeks of wrenching and rewiring for a modern ignition switch and solenoid. You’ll be happy to know I got the sickle bar freed up and the HH120 running again. 

 

That’s the short story skipping all the headaches! Lol

Edited July 19, 2018 by Machineguy

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,981]

And to think someone was just willing to melt it down. Great work!!

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

That steering wheel on that suburban looks like someone hooked a change to it! Still a nice find!

[Machineguy 876]

4 minutes ago, The Tool Crib said:

That steering wheel on that suburban looks like someone hooked a change to it! Still a nice find!

It was actually picked up with a tooth on a loader bucket! Steering wheels don’t fare well holding up the weight of tractor and sickle bar!! lol 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

Yep there ya go! Shows you how well built 

things were back then! 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

 You might be able to use that kohler  if you get the gas tank to go where it supposed to go. 

[R. L. Addison 299]

K321as would probably fit. If I remember right, about 2" lower than K3212s.

[Machineguy 876]

The engines I do machine work on at my day job aren’t as easy to move around. That’s 8,000lbs of CAT 3520

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

Think I can fit that one on my 665!! Lol

very impressive!👍

[Machineguy 876]

21 hours ago, The Tool Crib said:

Think I can fit that one on my 665!! Lol

very impressive!👍

Thanks man. I started machining stuff in high school for a 455 swap in my G-body Buick and I’ve made a career out of it. 

[Machineguy 876]

Got the engine pulled last night and sheet metal. Gave it a good pressure washing too. 

Tonight it’s dry fitting the Kohler and figuring what I’ve gotta move around to make it all look like it belongs there. This should be a fun little thing with either a small snowblower or blade. 

Edited August 2, 2018 by Machineguy

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,283]

Looking good. You may want to move that Green Thing , horses have been know to kick them .

[Machineguy 876]

1 hour ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

Looking good. You may want to move that Green Thing , horses have been know to kick them .

That’s supposed to be the wife’s mower. That’s why it’s sitting in the corner with the battery out of it and in one of my toys! 

I put the bagger on it and pick up leaves in the fall. Works good for that!

 

Edited August 3, 2018 by Machineguy

[dells68 7,498]

I hate to admit it, but I'm digging that Sears!  Never cared for them, but with sickle bar attached it's mean looking😎!

[Machineguy 876]

Thanks! It was an unplanned purchase and project that I’m glad I got. Absolutely worth keeping out of the scrap yard for sure! 

[Machineguy 876]

@dells68

Suburbans are rebranded Ropers. No family connection to the brand for me but the guy truly made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. 

At that moment I understood how my wife feels at a two pairs for the price of one shoe sale!!!