Kohler K361

[Gordy]

You know the Kohlers, they got the Automatic Compression Release, can't run a regular compression test. I'll think of something.

Here is a link for a quick search for "leak down test" from the old site.

https://www.casecoltingersoll.com/searc ... =relevance


Gordy

[Eugen]

Thanks @Gordy , I'm on the fence whether to do a leak down test, or take the head off. I mean, it's not starting yet I gave it food has spark. What's missing, compression?

[propane1]

I wonder if it could be converted back to a k341?


Noel

I think the block is different, as it doesn't have valves like that.

Never seen one apart, so was just wondering.


Noel

[DavidBarkey]

You know the Kohlers, they got the Automatic Compression Release, can't run a regular compression test. I'll think of something.

WOT. with the motor clampt down ,wind a rope around the crank shaft . pull start backwards . See what you get , that will let you know if the are any issues that need a closer look or maybe just is just ignition issue . You say have spark , but is it sparking under compression ? Lean is harder to light than rich . If all that above is good try giving the carb a quick clean and run off a gravity fuel tank thats what I do .

[Eugen]

Dave, sorry, too late.

What could number 18 on the piston mean?

The valve seats are in place. Some blow by the gasket. Cylinder wall not too bad. Will try and measure the bore tonight for the fun of it.

All in all not too bad, right guys?

[propane1]

So I found a picture of the head bolt holes. Definitely can’t put back to a k 341.

And I was gunna say. Turn the engine backwards to do a compression test.

Dave is always one paragraph ahead of me. Hehehe.

18th piston off the assembly line. .

Engine looks good Eugen.


Noel

[Jancoe]

Humm? 18 on the piston for 18hp? Lol does the k341 have a 16 on the piston?

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[DavidBarkey]

Humm? 18 on the piston for 18hp? Lol does the k341 have a 16 on the piston?

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Make sense . The 2 pistons from what I understand are the same size diameter but may have different heights or weights .
@Eugen Since you already have it apart best do a rebuild gasket and seal kit , clean and lap the valves . Wire brush the fins clean on the head for max cooling . It would make a stout engine for the loader if the K321 doesn't pan out . Very interested to see how this one runs . It is a wide base block ?

[Eugen]

I don't know if you guys have the same disease as I do, but ever since I was a kid it gave me GREAT pleasure to take things apart, much to my parents' chagrin. Couldn't resist opening this engine. You know every old engine is a bit of a lottery, and when it gets open, you wonder if you'll find some really bad stuff, or so so, or be surprised with something nice. So far no big bad stuff in this one. The valve seat inserts seem to be still solidly mounted in the head. The valve guides are easily pulled out, I guess by design. Haven't measured the guides or the valves yet, but on visual inspection they seem pretty good. Didn't get the micrometer out last night, but measured the bore with a telescoping gauge and the digital callipers, seems around 2.75", together with the fact that there is no .010 or .020 or .030 mark on the piston, it's most likely a STD piston. This is good news, there's room to grow.

Dave, the pistons of K341 and K361 seem to be identical, according to
http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/engspecs.htm

In fact, apart from the head, all specs seem the same as the K341. This is also good news, it means I can still find parts for a rebuild.

The not so good news is that the valve guides are somewhat loose, and if they don't measure well I'll have to make them out of bronze or something, as they're unobtanium. Also, there is evidence of PO having been in the head, there's orange high-temp RV silicone everywhere. There are some o-rings which I need to source too, item 28 in the picture below.

I think you're right @DavidBarkey about the wide base. I haven't measured the base, but it does seem wider then the K321.

[DavidBarkey]

I don't know if you guys have the same disease as I do, but ever since I was a kid it gave me GREAT pleasure to take things apart, much to my parents' chagrin. Couldn't resist opening this engine. You know every old engine is a bit of a lottery, and when it gets open, you wonder if you'll find some really bad stuff, or so so, or be surprised with something nice. So far no big bad stuff in this one. The valve seat inserts seem to be still solidly mounted in the head. The valve guides are easily pulled out, I guess by design. Haven't measured the guides or the valves yet, but on visual inspection they seem pretty good. Didn't get the micrometer out last night, but measured the bore with a telescoping gauge and the digital callipers, seems around 2.75", together with the fact that there is no .010 or .020 or .030 mark on the piston, it's most likely a STD piston. This is good news, there's room to grow.

Dave, the pistons of K341 and K361 seem to be identical, according to
http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/engspecs.htm

In fact, apart from the head, all specs seem the same as the K341. This is also good news, it means I can still find parts for a rebuild.

The not so good news is that the valve guides are somewhat loose, and if they don't measure well I'll have to make them out of bronze or something, as they're unobtanium. Also, there is evidence of PO having been in the head, there's orange high-temp RV silicone everywhere. There are some o-rings which I need to source too, item 28 in the picture below.

Screenshot 2022-12-15 at 11.19.20.png


I think you're right @DavidBarkey about the wide base. I haven't measured the base, but it does seem wider then the K321.

If you need to do guides , I have a whole pile of reamers for just that and seat cuter . Look up seat locking by peaning . If the seat are still tight it might be wise to do before putting back together . As for guide , you maybe able to source them if needed by measument . Replacement K341 guide maybe the same guide .