JAinVA 4,619 #1 Posted March 17, 2021 I am looking for insight from you guys. I have bought a couple of aftermarket carbs for my Kohler m12s. The originals were not rebuildable. I have not had much luck and am now looking at the units from I save tractors Any comments and opinions are welcome. Thanks in advance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326 #2 Posted March 17, 2021 I have bought 2 carbs from I save Tractors. One for a 310 and one for a 416 . Both worked great . No problems. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,619 #3 Posted March 17, 2021 Thanks Jim! That's what I needed to know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,691 #4 Posted March 17, 2021 I haven't bought anything from Norman yet but he seems like a decent guy. I've heard concerns he may have grown to big too fast and can't offer the time he once did to customers. Far as carbs go I only have experience with older K Series. I've had several junk aftermarket carbs on 12 to 16 HP engines. I got one for a K341 specifically sorted out on the site for the larger engines. When I got it I tried at least 3 times to get it going. Failed for different reasons. I finally got a used one from Lincoln at A to Z tractor and rebuilt that. Problem free since. I discovered that the aftermarket carb was a smaller bore than original by a long shot. Double check that Norman. I won't be buying another cheap carb. Again..... All K Series experiences. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #5 Posted March 17, 2021 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: . I've heard concerns he may have grown to big too fast and can't offer the time he once did to customers. I will agree with that. That being said, I have bought several China carbs from him, and they all were adequate Like @ebinmainesaid, if you can find a decent re-buldable carb. Thats the way to go. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,922 #6 Posted March 17, 2021 I haven’t gotten a carb from isavetractors but I have received a few error free and on time orders from him just fine. I say he’s a reputable parts source 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,246 #7 Posted March 17, 2021 I used one of his on a K. It worked great right out of the box. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,646 #8 Posted March 17, 2021 JAINVA, bought a carb from I SAVE TRACTORS , have not touched it , since starting it up ! ,really no adjustments needed and continues to run without any issues, been a couple of years . regularly use STA -BIL in all my fuel with instant starts . pete 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,741 #9 Posted March 17, 2021 I used one of his on a K-341 never could get it to run right. Rebuilt the old one instead. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,691 #10 Posted March 17, 2021 Just now, pfrederi said: I used one of his on a K-341 never could get it to run right. Rebuilt the old one instead. Just out of curiosity did you ever happen to check the bore size on that carb? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,741 #11 Posted March 17, 2021 Just now, ebinmaine said: Just out of curiosity did you ever happen to check the bore size on that carb? No 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #12 Posted March 17, 2021 If I have nothing, I have carburetors. I am assuming by bore, you mean the size of the throat. If thats not right, well, I'm a little slow ya know. All of the new carbs are from isvetractors. Who I believe is still a good place to do business with. Carb on the left (Kohler) measures, 1.20". The 2 on the right, 1.17" These were ordered for a K321. These carbs are for a K181. Carb on left, (Kohler, as far as I know) .83". Carb on right, .82" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,691 #13 Posted March 17, 2021 1 minute ago, Gregor said: If I have nothing, I have carburetors. I am assuming by bore, you mean the size of the throat. If thats not right, well, I'm a little slow ya know. All of the new carbs are from isvetractors. Who I believe is still a good place to do business with. Carb on the left (Kohler) measures, 1.20". The 2 on the right, 1.17" These were ordered for a K321. These carbs are for a K181. Carb on left, (Kohler, as far as I know) .83". Carb on right, .82" IMHO those sizes are close enough. I don't remember the sizes or the differences but when I say it's substantial it was probably close to 1/4" smaller in throat diameter. I would have felt reasonable about putting it on a 10 horse. Possibly a 12. That would have been a stretch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howie 887 #14 Posted March 18, 2021 It's just a restrictor plate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #15 Posted March 18, 2021 13 minutes ago, Howie said: It's just a restrictor plate! Good for 1 acre lawns and larger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mirage276 9 #16 Posted March 20, 2021 I just got a #30 from isavetractors for my K341 and everything seems fine, ran well and the engine idled better than it ever has before. I was trying to rebuild/clean mine but snapped 3 of the 4 screws on the throttle/choke shafts and needed something quick so I can get to mowing. Both the stock throttle and choke blades fit into the replacement so if its sized differently its marginal on the carb I got, but I did not measure the bores. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,691 #17 Posted March 20, 2021 5 minutes ago, Mirage276 said: I just got a #30 from isavetractors for my K341 and everything seems fine, ran well and the engine idled better than it ever has before. I was trying to rebuild/clean mine but snapped 3 of the 4 screws on the throttle/choke shafts and needed something quick so I can get to mowing. Both the stock throttle and choke blades fit into the replacement so if its sized differently its marginal on the carb I got, but I did not measure the bores. If they sold you a clearly marked #30 it should be the same. Did you keep the old body? You probably know it by now.... Those screws are either locktite held in, staked in, or both. They need to be ground very carefully to be removed. Do you have plans for the old carb now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mirage276 9 #18 Posted March 21, 2021 12 hours ago, ebinmaine said: If they sold you a clearly marked #30 it should be the same. Did you keep the old body? You probably know it by now.... Those screws are either locktite held in, staked in, or both. They need to be ground very carefully to be removed. Do you have plans for the old carb now? Yea learned that the hard way, never torn down a carb before. Have dealt with stubborn throttle body screws before but I wasn't even thinking about it when I jumped in. Used a hacksaw blade to finish them off and get it all apart. I will probably finish rebuilding it and keep it as a spare if I can get ahold of some shafts or get someone to drill them out for me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,691 #19 Posted March 21, 2021 39 minutes ago, Mirage276 said: Yea learned that the hard way, never torn down a carb before. Have dealt with stubborn throttle body screws before but I wasn't even thinking about it when I jumped in. Used a hacksaw blade to finish them off and get it all apart. I will probably finish rebuilding it and keep it as a spare if I can get ahold of some shafts or get someone to drill them out for me. Post a pic or two of what you have. I've used a dremel type tool to get them out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #20 Posted March 21, 2021 51 minutes ago, Mirage276 said: I will probably finish rebuilding it and keep it as a spare if I can get ahold of some shafts or get someone to drill them out for me. FYI The shafts from the carb you jsut bought will fit, if you would rather have the old carb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haydendavid380 759 #21 Posted March 21, 2021 I have one on a K181. Works fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites