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Kohler 331 ?

Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 9:47 am
by RoamingGnome
Has anyone had any experience with swapping a Kohler 331 for a Kohler 321 ?
There is one listed for $150 on FB marketplace that caught my attention - it's listed as being 14 hp
I'm hoping to have the engine out of my yellow 644 soon and it would be nice if I could swap an engine while I get the damaged one rebuilt...
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Re: Kohler 331 ?

Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:16 am
by propane1
Can’t say I’ve ever heard of a Kohler 331 ?

Re: Kohler 331 ?

Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:20 am
by myerslawnandgarden
Seems that the K331 was produced in the late 50's to early 60's, I have never seen one. A google search references it being used in the Economy garden tractors.

The biggest thing that I see that will be a problem is the fact that this engine has the 2 quart oil base. That raises the crankshaft centerline substantially and will not align with the hydraulic pump. The tractor frame rails would have to be cut and modified to lower the engine. It's not as simple as changing the oil base, the block is wider at the bottom as well. Sometime back I remember reading where someone had fabbed an adapter plate to accomplish this. The block will also not have the machined ring on the pto side to register the pump mount, that's another fabrication needed.

Could the engine be made to work? Yes, but not easily.

Bob