[jaynjeep]

Originally Posted by john hall

Pretty much the Onans are tough as nails, but the ones in Cadets are all OLD, and most likely tired. Parts prices are insane and sometimes availability can be spotty. I had to search high and low to get a complete rebuild kit for the carb. Needed a piece for the air intake and had to find an NOS one on ebay. Long story short you have to be willing to search for reasonable priced parts or have deep pockets--I put on a voltage regulator this summer that I found listed for almost 10x's what I paid for it.

I've heard some of the stuff for the Magnums not to mention the KT17's is getting scarce and pricey. I just look at it like this, if you want to run a classic or antique lawn mower, then you are going to have to be creative and resourceful to keep it going.

Well said John! You can't badmouth any of them because they are all old and most have been abused or had limited care.. Heck Onan pioneered the small opposed twin years ago.

As you said the Onans are tough as nails...(they proved that to me years ago) and I have a Magnum 18 Kohler that has 1900 hrs on it... never had a wrench on it other than oil changes, air filters and spark plugs. It shows no signs of being tired.. and it has worked hard pulling a 50" deck since 1986.

Too bad parts are getting expensive and hard to find.. Magnums and Onans are both good engines..

If I had a brand new Onan and a brand new Kohler Magnum sitting in the floor and had to choose one... I'd go with the Onan every time..