Flywheel side. From what I have read the is considered to be front don't know why.

Kohler 52-032-10S and NOK BE1177E are the correct numbers for the front/ flywheel side seal.

I agree those appear to be the correct numbers I was looking for the dimensions on the Kohler seal to make sure it is the same as the BE1177E. The NOK dimensions I can find but cannot locate the Kohler seal dimensions.

Or maybe someone has the part number for a steel cased seal instead of the rubber one maybe it would stay in better.

Dirk.

The Kohler seal is a NOK BE1177E.

OK, So that explains whenever a site says genuine Kohler parts and you look at the seals they are NOK. Thank you.

Dirk.

Many of the aftermarket kits have metric seals substituted for the original inch sizes. The one seal is indeed about .012” under size on the OD . The kit I bought from Lil Red Barn a couple months ago had inch seals but the quality was crap. I used a bearing race pushed into the flywheel side metric seal to stretch it and that worked quite well. It was a better seal, just too loose.

Lil red barn is where my no name seal came from it was smaller that the NOK that came in a cheap kit I found on Ebay. Hopefully the NOK will stay in the block better.'

Dirk.

In your opinions what style breather is better for the M18? The umbrella style which mine has and it seems to be plyable and soft enough to work. Or the reed valve style which I could order.

Thanks, Dirk.

Well possible success? Just had it running for 40 minutes medium RPM and mowerdeck on for a load. Seal stayed in and it definitely has a vaccum at the dipstick tube. Kind of puffs out when you first pull it out but within a few seconds after you put your finger over the tube a vaccum develops.

Going to let it cool down over night then put the hood and side panels on tomorrow. Should I let it do another part throttle warm up and cool down tomorrow before mowing?

Thanks, Dirk.