Racinbob 11,384 #1 Posted October 6, 2019 (edited) I have an excellent K-161 recoil start with an unknown spec but it works well on a Wheel Horse. I also have a K-181, spec 30108A (correct for an 854 and others) that is likely on it's last legs. I'm thinking about the possibility of swapping all the electrical components from it to convert the K-161 to electric start. Charging components, starter/generator, tins, etc. Whatever is needed. Externally the engines look identical but I can't help but feel there will be some pitfalls with the conversion. Has anyone here ever done this? Any suggestions? Edited October 6, 2019 by Racinbob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,959 #2 Posted October 6, 2019 Bob, save me what is left of the K-181, I may need some internal parts. The K-161-T had the pull start. I think you have to go to the factory to get the spec number. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,384 #3 Posted October 6, 2019 You got it Steve. With the pending upcoming move it won't be until next year though. You're right on the model # but the variations in the specs would be difficult to determine. I'm not sure even the factory could do it. I may just have to start swapping things and see if I run into any snags 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,302 #4 Posted October 6, 2019 Pending upcoming move? I hope all is well Bob... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,959 #5 Posted October 6, 2019 OH OH Bob...the cat is out of the bag. Not much gets by Kevin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,999 #6 Posted October 6, 2019 Back to Flordia already Bob? Are your already missing that “Man Eating Gator” we had ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #7 Posted October 6, 2019 I have a b-60 someone added s/g and swapped out recoil for the generator pulley. Very nice, I don' think you will have any real issues. I intend to do it my self down the road on a 701. I have a k161 from a troybuilt rototiller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,384 #8 Posted October 7, 2019 18 hours ago, pullstart said: Pending upcoming move? I hope all is well Bob... All is good Kevin. It's a long story but after 2 years of intense rebuilding (remodeling isn't strong enough) this house we toyed with the idea of buying a single story house on some property without the hills. Trotting up and down stairs isn't something us old folks really want to do and way too much of this property has to be push mowed. This place wasn't out first choice but due to unforeseen complications we ended up here after our house in Florida sold so fast and we were put in a situation where we had to get a house. We talked to a couple realtors to get a feel for what the market value of this place was. Realtors usually like to get comps to figure the value and, while the numbers were good, it wasn't good enough to get us to sell. Then a friend suggested we talk to a realtor named Trudy. She came out, looked the place over and said this place can't be comped. She personally paid to have an appraisal done so she could get the accurate value. Now we liked the numbers. We told her if we could find a place before winter we'd list this place after we had an accepted offer on a new place. Another long story searching but we finally found a beautiful home on 10 wooded, basically FLAT acres and is move in ready. We told Trudy to go ahead and put this place on the market and it sold in 4 days with multiple offers over the listing price. Of course it had to come in with an acceptable appraisal from the buyers lender and we just found out yesterday that it did. As we waited for the bank appraisal we had the inspections done. We only got dinged on one item. I forgot to put the drop pipe on the water heater pop-off valve. We are scheduled to close on both places on the 18th and we have 14 days to get our stuff moved. Should be easy because we hired a moving company to move the stuff that requires muscles. So......it's on to another adventure and we're excited because we got to carefully inspect the new place this time and not rely on home inspectors who typically don't know the difference between the front door and a toilet. 17 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: Back to Flordia already Bob? Are your already missing that “Man Eating Gator” we had ? No, not Florida but I would like to do that again. But no more tropical summers for us. We want to stay close to family up here. The move is only about 30 miles. Steve, it will be easier for you to stop by. Only about 14 miles south of US-30. OK, who hijacked this thread!? Oh wait! That was me and it's my thread so it doesn't matter. I'm kinda thinking this 'conversion' will be pretty much cut and dry but I'd like to hear from folks that have done it or know for sure. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,302 #9 Posted October 7, 2019 Safe travels, watching the movers! Congrats on your new endeavors... and how bout we get back to shop talk! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,538 #10 Posted October 7, 2019 Good luck on the engine, Bob. And the move👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,384 #11 Posted October 7, 2019 Thank you Richie. Hopefully all is going well with your move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,999 #12 Posted October 7, 2019 Does the aluminum back plate on your K161 have the notch out for the starter or will you have to dive deep into the engine and change that out @Racinbob yes we’ll definitely have to meet up again. But if I make. Trip to Wheelhorse land, I’ll probable be driving a stuffed Uhaul truck back to Texas! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,384 #13 Posted October 7, 2019 20 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said: Does the aluminum back plate on your K161 have the notch out for the starter or will you have to dive deep into the engine and change that out @Racinbob yes we’ll definitely have to meet up again. But if I make. Trip to Wheelhorse land, I’ll probable be driving a stuffed Uhaul truck back to Texas! Correct me if I'm wrong but that doesn't matter with a starter/generator does it? Definitely let me know if you'll be passing through the area. I'm only a mile from the former plant now but will be about an hour away after the move. Still close enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #14 Posted October 31, 2019 One more thing,, k161 has magneto ignition.(at least all of mine do.) So a kill switch will be needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mudrig150 301 #15 Posted November 1, 2019 If it's a starter generator K181, then you can just put the flywheel pulley on the K161, as long as you drill the 2 holes for the generator bracket. They might be drilled and tapped, but most likely they aren't. The K161 is just a beefed up K181, so yeah... The K161 would have magneto ignition, but as long as it has points you can convert it to battery ignition with the flywheel off the K181, or at least you should. So really, you'd swap flywheel bearing plate, flywheel, starter gen pulley, and drill/tap the 2 holes for the generator. Correct me if I'm wrong. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
