Kohler K361

Troubleshooting, rebuilding, repairing Kohler engines.
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DavidBarkey Canada
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by DavidBarkey »

The fact that they are iron is why they came loose . Iron expanse more than aluminum . Glue them inplace with 620 , but sneek the head inside over night to cure in the warm .
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Eugen Canada
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by Eugen »

I know you're saying it will work with loctite 620, but somehow I don't feel good about glue there.

How about a mechanical type of mechanism to keep it in place. A set screw coming from the side? Am I crazy to think that? Are the forces too high for that hold?
Case 224, 444, 644, 680E
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Eugen Canada
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by Eugen »

When things are cleaned up they can reveal surprises. The guides must be cast iron with a bronze inner sleeve. Interesting.

DA41BBF8-89A8-4E2F-90FF-922D314112C1.jpeg
Case 224, 444, 644, 680E
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Jancoe United States of America
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by Jancoe »

Eugen wrote:When things are cleaned up they can reveal surprises. The guides must be cast iron with a bronze inner sleeve. Interesting.

DA41BBF8-89A8-4E2F-90FF-922D314112C1.jpeg
Time to get some bronze and make complete new valve guides. I know your tempted so you might as well give it a go. We're all the same here. I can't help myself too. I get something like this and I tear into it. Curiosity at its finest. My grandmother always reminds me about when I was around 5-6 I tore into her massive stereo system. The thing didn't work. Got tools out of grandpa's toolbox and a few hours later the house was jamming. I vaugly remember any of it but she always talks about it to this day. Don't remember what I did but its in my blood. It's a curse. Bring home too many project and never enough time for all of it. Hope you get this engine up and going soon.

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Eugen Canada
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by Eugen »

Jancoe wrote: Fri Dec 16, 2022 5:37 pm Time to get some bronze and make complete new valve guides.
You said it! :thumbsup:
Case 224, 444, 644, 680E
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Eugen Canada
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by Eugen »

Sorry guys, if I'm boring you with my going back and forth over this. Came across this interesting bit about bronze valve guides.
Bronze valve guides are very nice for extended wear life, but they do have a slight problem with increased thermal expansion compared to iron guides. This requires machining the bronze guide to have slightly more running clearance with the valve stem to prevent valve seizure when the guides run hot. One function of the guide is to transfer heat from the valve stem into the head for cooling the valve. Smaller running clearance promotes better heat transfer.

Installation of bronze valve guide liner Installation of bronze valve guide liner Here we have an alternative to the bronze valve guide. You can install a thin bronze sleeve in the original iron guide to give the desired bronze bearing surface while avoiding the problem of excess thermal expansion. For engines with cast in place valve guides this is often done to reduce machining cost. For engines with replaceable guides this method can still be used to achieve minimal valve stem running clearance without excess thermal expansion or valve seizure.

Considering that there are no seals on the guides, more valve-guide clearance, as it would be needed for bronze guides, would mean more oil going into the cylinder. This is probably why the original guides seem to be cast iron with a bronze inner sleeve. Back to the drawing board :writing:
Case 224, 444, 644, 680E
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propane1 Canada
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by propane1 »

Interesting. Nice it have the tools to make stuff. I don’t have a lathe.


Noel
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by Eugen »

propane1 wrote: Sat Dec 17, 2022 11:57 am Interesting. Nice it have the tools to make stuff. I don’t have a lathe.


Noel
I barely ever use it Noel. It's a small lathe, but it's nice to have. I find the biggest problem is finding reasonable priced stock metal to work on.
Case 224, 444, 644, 680E
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by Eugen »

@propane1 what do you think about this? I sure would like one.
A04F78DA-8CAC-43F1-9E63-672A8D3235C7.jpeg
Case 224, 444, 644, 680E
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thebuildist United States of America
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Re: Kohler K361

Post by thebuildist »

That's a South Bend 10" Jr. lathe. It's a pretty nice unit. Quick change gearbox, power feed in both axes. You're looking at a South Bend salesman's car, and it was an effective tactic.

There were some lathes that were arguably superior, or a better value than the South Bend, but South Bend became the gold standard.

I have its big brother, a 1941 South Bend Heavy 10. Similar overall, but built heavier, with a larger spindle with a larger through-hole and a factory taper attachment. Either it or my loader is my favorite possession. Depends on the weather. :lol:

You definitely do not want a Heavy 10 in the back of your station wagon.

Bob
"Never be afraid to try something new. How hard can it be?"
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