JimSraj 430 #1 Posted August 31, 2021 I noticed a ‘B’ stamped in the top of the piston and top of the cylinder on the K301 I’ve been working on. Can anyone tell me what that means? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,316 #2 Posted August 31, 2021 The engine was probably apart in a shop that had multiple engines being worked on and they stamped the parts so they went back on the same engine. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 263 #3 Posted August 31, 2021 It is a Style "B" piston. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,316 #4 Posted August 31, 2021 8 hours ago, Fordiesel69 said: It is a Style "B" piston. Please tell us more about this Style B piston for a K-301, never heard about it but eager to learn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 430 #5 Posted September 1, 2021 Yes, I called Kohler and that’s what the Kohler rep told me on the phone. She didn’t elaborate and I couldn’t find out how a B piston is different from others. I will have to call again. I’ll post whatever I find out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,153 #6 Posted September 1, 2021 (edited) On the Courage engines, the B style piston uses a different style ring and pin boss. B is referred to Mahle forged piston Edited September 1, 2021 by squonk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,316 #7 Posted September 1, 2021 10 hours ago, JimSraj said: Yes, I called Kohler and that’s what the Kohler rep told me on the phone. She didn’t elaborate and I couldn’t find out how a B piston is different from others. I will have to call again. I’ll post whatever I find out. That wouldn't explain the "B" stamped on the engine block. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 263 #8 Posted September 1, 2021 I need to retract my statement of a style "B" piston. I had the engine series mixed up. K- Series used Style A, Style C, and Style D. You will find more style "A" in wheel horse k series, and you will find a good mix of "A" and "D" in wheel horse Magnum series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 430 #9 Posted September 2, 2021 After giving him the Spec # and serial number the Kohler tech rep could not find any reference to a ‘B’ stamp in the top of an original piston in any Kohler K series engine. We discussed Mahle pistons as well but he could not confirm that’s what it designates although he did say the Kohler used Mahle pistons from the 1970s up until the 1990s. So looks like bottom line is it really has no significance to the ordering of a replacement. The photo didn’t get the ‘B’ in the piston top but it’s just like the one that’s visible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 430 #10 Posted September 2, 2021 So it is visible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites