K361 In Wheel Horse?

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Came across a K361 on FB Marketplace. After doing a little research on it, I found it to be a pretty interesting engine.

 

Was this engine ever put in a Wheel Horse? Just curious.

 

I would imagine something would have to be unique in the set-up due to its unique head design.

 

The one I found is completely overhauled, rebuilt, and claims to be a like-new engine. Price is above my range, so it won't be coming home with me unfortunately. Would be cool to have though.

[ebinmaine 67,766]

Those are VERY interesting engines. 

Possibly the largest single cylinder engine Kohler made. 

 

Overhead valve cover prohibits installation in a Horse without cutting the hood. 

Maybe original to PK?

 

What was the asking price?

 

[squonk 41,171]

Used in PK'S Lots of valve issues.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

$1,200. Not bad if you need one, and if its all rebuilt as claimed. But too rich for me to just have as a cool item on the shelf.

[8ntruck 7,034]

PK - that mean Power King?

[ebinmaine 67,766]

7 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

PK - that mean Power King?

Yessir

[ebinmaine 67,766]

Just as a side note... I've read that these OHV engines are more desirable as a Parts engine to some circles of folks. 

 

One of the ways to raise the power level of a K341 is to install a cam from a K361. 

 

I'm no single cylinder engine expert but I've read/heard that changing the cam and milling the head can easily toss a 16 HP Kohler well over the 20 HP level and it still appears stock externally. 

 

[littleredrider 409]

If your building a rat rod type tractor, or something where don't really care if it doesn't look "correct", could always cut a hole in the hood, and make a cowl scoop to cover it. I'm pretty sure there some builds where they made a cowl hood. Could look pretty cool. 

 

Brian Miller's pulling site is full of info on building a Kohler.....

[Fordiesel69 263]

A fairly worthless engine.  May as well remove the throttle control and just spring it to 3600 RPM.  Otherwise any lower RPM and there is insufficient lubrication to the top end. 

 

They do sound pretty nice, and run a bit smoother than a flat head.  The exhaust note is more like a kohler command pro 15 but with a lower tone.  

 

Id like to own one just for fun but they are very rare.  Almost unheard of.  

 

[bds1984 1,435]

The K361 is the same displacement of 588cc like the K341 is.  I suspect the OHV component has something to do with the numbering or perhaps Kohler didn't want the confusion of TWO engines with 36 cu.in./588cc naming designations.  Back when I rebuilt my K341 for my C165 I bought an Alcoa connecting rod for a K361 for it.  The cam trick I had no idea, I will look into that.  I have been told that much of the oiling issues of a K361 can be solved with the breather tube being moved to the valve cover on top of the cylinder head versus what we're used to on the flattie so their would be a slight vacuum pulling through the top valve cover.  Someday I'll have one.

[ebinmaine 67,766]

2 minutes ago, bds1984 said:

cam

Judging by the frequency at which they come up for sale and the cost of having a cam reground, the latter of the two there might be your better bet.

 

Somebody like @Greentored  Scott is usually busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger with an itchy back but I think I'd still lean towards having him grind one for me. 

[WheelHorseSteve 56]

 

[kpinnc 12,174]

On 10/10/2021 at 6:03 PM, 71_Bronco said:

The one I found is completely overhauled, rebuilt, and claims to be a like-new engine. Price is above my range, so it won't be coming home with me unfortunately. Would be cool to have though.

I’d imagine you’d have to make a hole in the hood to make it fit, even on a Classic series. Those overhead valves make them very tall. 

[RED-Z06 2,221]

The heads were aluminum and known for dropping seats,which did damage to the head casting, new heads have been unavailable since about 2007, the last new head i sold was a shade over $500, and ive sold good used heads for about as much.