bottjernat1 2,190 #1 Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) Just wanted to give you all an update on the status of my wifes Kohler KV181! It is back home i drove back up to michigan and picked up the motor and a frame and gas cap. The guy is also going to give me copies of the manual for this rare engine. That is almost more exciting then getting the engine back. LOL Now I have to degrease the frame and mount it back on. Here is a video i shot after getting it back home. I paid $5 for the frame i picked up. Not a bad deal! If you want check out my other videos and click subscribe!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLNn4j6OIOE Edited February 10, 2020 by bottjernat1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #2 Posted February 10, 2020 Here was the frame i picked up for $5 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #3 Posted February 10, 2020 And here was the issue with the stator. Ouch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #4 Posted February 10, 2020 Here is the engine just have to degrease the frame yet! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,266 #5 Posted February 10, 2020 Good deal on that frame. I'll be looking forward to the build of this tractor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #6 Posted February 10, 2020 13 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Good deal on that frame. I'll be looking forward to the build of this tractor. After looking at it i told the wife i may build it back up it is in pretty good shape i thought. and i have enough parts i could do that i think. my intension was to use just the frame for my daughters 875 hers the frame has the typical cracks and someone welded a plate many years ago. Here are photos of the daughter 875 frame. I have a guy that has a good 875 frame i may go get it instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,266 #7 Posted February 10, 2020 I'm pretty sure any short frame from 1965, 66, 67 will work. Probably quite a few others. You've certainly got the good guts and foundation there to make up a nice 856. If the 875 frame needs to be repaired again I would go ahead and do it, or get it done. They're very rugged when repaired correctly. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,679 #8 Posted February 11, 2020 @bottjernat1 is the uniqueness of this motor the fact that it has two directions that the exhaust can be directed to? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #9 Posted February 11, 2020 7 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: @bottjernat1 is the uniqueness of this motor the fact that it has two directions that the exhaust can be directed to? No sire the uniqueness is that it is a jerked over k181 but with special features. The crank shaft and piston are different. The bottom end is way different. and that these were not made very long because of issues of the motor being on its side. I have not seen another one that ran beside this one we have. I have seen other commando v8 but not very many at all. But the others i saw were either dead or had a different engine on them. Good question thanks for asking.when i get the paperwork for this engine i will be sure to post it. My late dad and several other folks that knew my dad. Where never able to find all the info on this motor. i even contacted kohler several times they have nothing on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tractornut86 620 #10 Posted February 11, 2020 I have a parts engine and I also have a NOS short block. On facebook there is guys that come across the vertical Kohlers once in awhile but half of them are junk because they had oil issues. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
