K-series Rebuild Kit

[adsm08 2,690]

Well, since it already needed a valve job and the bottom end just left loose today I guess it is rebuild time.

 

Does anyone know if this kit is any good?

 

https://isavetractors.com/ultimate-engine-rebuild-kit-kohler-k181-8hp/?sku=KIT01005-7&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8dH-BRD_ARIsAC24umZSm5-3ZJNbPMa1sfQcHlCK0n0jWjbfeylRvqyNxMBnDJveXSp2rV4aApgLEALw_wcB

 

Obviously I still need to polish my crank and hone out my cylinder and take measurements to know which rod and piston/rings to get. I'm more interested in the overall quality of the parts.

[953 nut 57,965]

Here is a down and dirty way to see how good or bad the cylinder is. I Save Old Tractors has good stuff.

 

[WHX?? 50,760]

You won't go wrong with his kits. Plus he stands by what he sells. I'm sure they are not OEM Kohler parts ... the price would be triple or better they were. 

I wouldn't order tho till you measure the the motor up. 

[Gregor 4,847]

Thats where I got the gasket kit and some parts for my K161. Everything was great. The only thing on the downside, there were no shims for the bearing plate, just the gasket. The end play in my crank turned out fine. To be honest, as hard as it came off the first time, I am not sure I would have taken it off again anyway, unless the motor simply would not turn. I got the piston and rings, (2 pistons actually, I messed up) valves, rod, ignition parts, and seals. I should have simply ordered the entire rebuild kit, but I didn't need bearings. As it turned out, after ordering 2 pistons, the rebuild kit would have been cheaper, and I would have got a new coil.

[Gregor 4,847]

For whatever reason, you don't get one of these. At least I didn't. It is the gasket between the carb and the air breather base. You have to order it separate

 

I did get one of these, even though I don't know what it's for. About 5" long.

[squonk 42,570]

That gasket is for the cover for where the cam gear cover.

[adsm08 2,690]

Thanks guys. Its good to know these are quality parts.

 

I've done enough big engines to know to not start ordering until I have the over/under on my cylinders and bearing journals. I'm going to try to get a local guy I know who owns a machine shop involved, but I do have T-gauges and micrometers if I need to measure it myself. I think Jared's shop is geared more towards automotive engines, so he may or may not have the equipment to deal with small stuff like this.

 

@953 nut Measuring the ring gap at different spots certainly is inventive, but will really only allow for calculating taper of the bore. The wear of my piston skirt suggests that I may have significant out of round issues in addition to just regular bore wear, which could be overlooked by that method. One side of the piston has minor wear on the skirt, the opposite side is full faced wear. I know these engines are no where near as picky as a modern automotive engine on the critical tolerances, but this engine lasted 55 years on it's first go-around, I plan to spend the extra time and effort hoping I can get another 55 years out of this rebuild.

[953 nut 57,965]

1 hour ago, adsm08 said:

I plan to spend the extra time and effort hoping I can get another 55 years out of this rebuild.

            Being 75 years old my time horizon is a bit shorter than yours, but I too like to put forth the extra effort.        

[adsm08 2,690]

9 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

            Being 75 years old my time horizon is a bit shorter than yours, but I too like to put forth the extra effort.        

 

Well, in another 55 years I'm not sure how much grass I'll be mowing. I'd be 89, I just want to be the guy with the 110 year old working lawn mower.

[Howie 899]

Gregor those gaskets are how you control the end gap on the side cover. That's why there is 

usually several of different thickness in the gasket kit.