K301 Rod lockwashers
 

I bought my 124 for parts, until I was able to crank it up and run it after setting the points and cleaning out the sediment bowl. This tractor looks like it was run hard and not taken care of. Much rust and nails instead of cotter pins. The tractor ran OK, but had the greatest engine vibration I have ever seen. It was strong and didn't smoke.

Anyway, I ran the engine low on oil while pushing dirt (should have checked oil level every two hours or so), and it started smoking oil smoke big time. I have now opened up the engine, checked rod bearing (like new - no wear at all), honed the cylinder, re-ringed it, and put the piston back into the block. I am putting the rod cap on, and I see that the rod bolts have TWO washers on each bolt, a lock washer and a flat washer. According the the manual, the K301 should use just a flat washer (no lock washer). I am sure that this engine must have been gone thru just before i got it (perfect crank, bearings like new, new connecting rod probably). If the PO did use flat washers AND lock washers, that might explain why it is out of balance.

My question is: do I put the two pair of washers back on the rod bolts, use the flat washers only or use the lock washers only. Has anyone seen a K301 engine with two washers on each rod bolt?

I've seen them both ways. with 1 thick flat washer or a thin flat washer and a lock washer that is if it has bolts. studs its just a nut with the built in washer. that nut has a lower reuse torque. a couple lock washers won't throw them out of balance. they are pretty poor with balance to start with. I think Kohler felt somewhat close was good enough