K-301, what to do ?
 

greetings, i am tryi.g to figure this out...i knew my recently purchased 1250 would need an engine overhaul and was planning on doing it this spring, as it does burn some oil.However, it does surge and i cant adjust it out, neither govener or carb, and it stumbles some. i also then noticed that there is a leak in the headgasket on front side of motor. i was thinking/hoping that perhaps this is what is making it lean, but after plug check it doesnt seem so.although it does make alot of carbon with oil burn..is it worth throwing on a new head gasket, sand flat, and clean?? or could i make it through the winter plowing, and do EVERYTHING with rebuild?? suppose i should pull carb off and clean thoroughly what else could be making it surge so? thanks fellas, any imput would be great...

I'd personally pull it out now and rebuild it.

I would agree, Pull it and rebuild it now. JMHO
good luck keep us posted.

I hate to tell ya,but I agree also. I would pull it and overhaul it now. It might make it through the winter,but if it breaks a rod it could and probably would ruin the block. My 1200 needs rebuilding this winter,I have my 1211 to use to plow with so the 1200 will have the winter off. I limped my 1200 for one last mow this fall,but don't trust it for using all winter.

so i have made an interesting discovery, after pulling the head and carb off an explanation of things has become evident...a screw out of the throttle plate at some point became loose, and fell off, was taken into the intake and through the valve where it was eaten by a few combustion cycles..a few prints of the actual screw complete with threads are imprinted on the top of piston and bottom of head!!! no scoring in the cylinder and the gasket wasnt bad, but im sure the foriegn material is what helped to blow it out..lots of carbon, original std piston...thanks guys

good news.

So im getting to that point (really hate too as it starts and runs like a top) but i need to rebuild the 12horse, she does burn oil and i cant just wait for her to fail..i am hoping to do some minor performance upgrades, sort of a "kirk style" k301..port and polish intake runners, bore carb, handwork everything, mill head some. Cant do too much as it will be used "daily" for mowing/plow duty..so pump gas and need to build longevity (no unlimited budget either, unfortunately)..my question for the experts is; i cant decide where or what parts to do?? I mean depending on measurements as far as motor wear and what not, but what i mean is i always heard kohler rods were a weak link?? So is there anything else avail without spending big BIG $?? So what do you guys run, and from where? pistons, rods, rods with bearings, ebay kits, parts from different motors?? Any help is greatly appreciated...
Thankyou
Mike

Many of these engines have run for 20 or 30 years with original parts. I have no idea how many hours, but way more than I'll ever put on them while I'm alive. My thought is go back with stock parts. "souping" up a K engine for grass cutting seems like a waste. Pulling maybe, but not routine work.

I bought a rebuild kit off ebay. All the parts fit fine. I've read from others on this forum that they've had good experience with these kits.

I agree w/Sawdustdad, Forget the hotrod stuff and go with a good quality stock rebuild, sit back and enjoy the heck out of your cub for the next 20 years or so.

By all means do the carbon cleanup and head resurface as part of an overall maintenance plan as Kohler recommends.

Good Luck!

Thanks fellas, im definitely not building it for 300+', shes a worker!!! gonna be stock stroke and ignition, but having been around some old flathead fords, and having some friends who build huge cubic inch 15.1 full alcohol pulling motors,(and my 383) i cant help it!! i am just going to do some minor things to make her "breathe" better..i just want a bulletproof rotating assembly for the buck. I agree on the kohler parts lasting along time, but theyre not cheap either!! And most of the kits on ebay that ive seen arent entirely genuine kohler..? Gasket and tune up side maybe, but rods seem to be different makers or price goes WAY up..gonna be ALOTof sanding and polishing, and alot of spin balancing. Clean up intake (have you looked in there, mine is like slag city) things of that nature.I mean theres like 3 styles of pistons right? Which are the prefered, the last??Just a little head and valve work, no crazy cam, no high octane, good starter, good performer, good laster..just a little better..so any combinations, things or parts anyone has tried and trued, please im always looking to learn about something...this isnt a small block chevy..
Thanks:biggrin2:
Mike