1450 Engine rebuild

[jim turner]

I am going to have to rebuild my engine 14 HP Kohler and was wondering if anyone on here has done this, if so what is a aproximate cost I will do most of the work myself unless it needs to be bored in that case it will go to a machine shop.

[Eugene]

The 10 and 12 HP Kohlers usually cost me about $100- to $130- for rings, gasket set, exhaust valve and engine tune up items.

[Merk]

I usually rebuild several K241 through K321 each year.

It depends on what needs done to your and where you get your parts. After you get the engine apart the first thing you need to do is measure the cylinder bore and crank journal the way the Kohler service manual shows. Use a bore gage and mikes to check your bore and crank journal. Odds are the cylinder will need bored.

To do the job the right way the following parts will need replaced:
piston
rings
connecting rod
governor gear-plastic one only
crank seals
head bolts
gaskets
valve guide(s) may need replaced
valve(s) may need ground or replaced
valve(s) seats may need replaced

There are some who will tell you can "get by" by just changing rings and reuse the old piston. You can do this and odds are 3-4 years later you will be rebuilding your Kohler again. Most times the piston is burnt in the exhaust valve area and the piston skirts have gouges in them. Spend a few extra $$$$ and do the job right the first time. I just change a cam in my K241 afew months ago. A Kohler gasket set was $2 to $3 more than a Stens gasket set. The place I get my parts from said it would take 1-2 days for a Kohler gasket set and 7 days to get a Stens gasket set. I've had problems in the past with Stens connecting rods....won't use Stens rods anymore.

I'm not big on epay rebuild kits for Kohlers. Their quality isn't the best.

[dhermesc]

Best thing is to open up the engine before ordering your parts. You might get away with reusing the old piston, but you might find that the engine needs to be bored .010 over - doesn't do any good to have a new standard piston on the shelf. You can also see if the crank needs to be turned or if you valves are good enough to grind or if they need to be replaced too.

I've used this guy for three engines without any issues:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MASTER-ENGINE-REBUI ... 1c12c6d6d1

He has differant packages (with valves/without valves, standard and oversized pistons, standard and under sized rods).

On Edit:

I did have one issue with the K321, the seal around the crank didn't appear to be correct and I ordered a new one to avoid using it.

[Eugene]

Just my preference. I get my Kohler parts from the local autoparts store.

The guys are correct. You need to disassemble the engine and measure before ordering parts or machine work.

[BigBill]

Because of the quality of the steel in the valves we can get by sometimes by lapping the valves after cleaning them. And if the guides are ok your good to go.

Make sure your valve guides are good and on the exhaust valve too this is where blowby can occur.

[SundaySailor]

Best thing is to open up the engine before ordering your parts. You might get away with reusing the old piston, but you might find that the engine needs to be bored .010 over - doesn't do any good to have a new standard piston on the shelf. You can also see if the crank needs to be turned or if you valves are good enough to grind or if they need to be replaced too.

I've used this guy for three engines without any issues:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MASTER-ENGINE-REBUI ... 1c12c6d6d1

He has differant packages (with valves/without valves, standard and oversized pistons, standard and under sized rods).

On Edit:

I did have one issue with the K321, the seal around the crank didn't appear to be correct and I ordered a new one to avoid using it.

Unfortunately, my experience with this vendor has been far less than satisfactory. I ordered the full rebuild kit including bearings and governor gear.

Thought everything was good to go when my machinist called and said the piston was undersized. Called vendor, and was told to get another machinist.

He was willing to send another larger piston which meant reboring the block again. Ah, no thanks. Ordered a REAL kohler piston from another vendor, and it fit perfect according to the Kohler engine manual specs.

Called first vendor back wanting to return the piston, and he wouldn't even give me the return address. Fortunately, I've now found the original invoice. The part with a copy of the invoice will be sent out USPS, insured, certified, signature required. What gets me is the parts are made in Taiwan. This guy seems to think he made them himself and is miffed because the parts are undersized. Go figure! A word to the wise is sufficient.

[jim turner]

Thanks SundaySailor for that info, I too ordered a overhaul kit from him for a 14 horse Power King and it was under size as well.

[dhermesc]

What do you mean by "undersized"? Did you order a .010 over sized piston and get a standard?

[jim turner]

no I ordered a standard size and the piston rocked around in the cylinder like it was lost I didn't mike it but it was plain to see that the piston was way too small, so I used the old piston and scrapped the new one.

[SundaySailor]

What do you mean by "undersized"? Did you order a .010 over sized piston and get a standard?

Nope. Piston ordered was .010, came stamped .010, but was too small for the bore. Miking (sp?) the piston showed it was undersized. Was closer to a .003 than .010, but was wrong for that size too. Piston has been sent back. We'll see how the owner of the company responds. I doubt it will be in a friendly manner. None of the return conversations/e-mails were friendly on that side.

Last time I'll do business with them. My money spends very well in other places, and I don't have to put up with the BS either.