K301 tins under head bolts?
 

Hi I have a cub 125 with a kohler 12hp (k301a) in it. I have overhauled it and am putting it back together and have 2 questions. First the tins were under the head bolts and I need to know if this is right or should there be studs to hold the tins on. This is not the first overhaul on it so I don't know if was put together right. The other question is should I paint the block under the tins if the head bolts hold them on. Thanks Roger

Here is a picture of how it was when I took it out short of heat shield over muffler.

As long as there are bushings under all the bolts it's not an issue. I prefer studs as the tin can then be removed for cleaning. It would have originally had studs. Also, it would not have been bolted on with every bolt like it is now. Someone drilled it so all bolts are used.

DO NOT paint the head. Block should be painted.

You might have issues without studs in the front because there should be the heat shield that the muffler bolts to that also gets fastened to 2 of the head holes right?

Yes there is it bolts on with 2 head bolts and over 2 head bolts I just didn't have it on I was not sure if it was better to put studs in or just keep the bolts.

It has 3 holes that the holes in the tins are bigger so i guess that would keep the head on if you needed to clean under the tins.