Can you get OEM rebuild kit?

[IHCub1450]

I would like to rebuild Kohler K321, 14hp engine on my Cub Cadet 1450.
I can find rebuild kits online, but they all have aftermarket parts in them.
So, my questions are:

1. Does anybody know of a place I can get one with OEM parts?

2. If there are no OEM rebuild kits, does anybody have any recommendations for a aftermarket kit, or do I need to individually source the parts to get OEM?

Thanks for the input.

[ol'George]

To answer your question,
rebuild kits are available on line from various sources, although not OEM Kohler.
While I've never used these kits, I have read good reviews from ppl.
I save tractors and bakt4kids on ebay are just 2 of these.
Also there are individual OEM parts available from other sources like Messick's and such, just to name one.
While parts like gaskets, seals, ball bearings etc. are standard sizes,
when ordering a "kit" you need to know what your machinist says are needed for over/undersize piston/rings and connecting rod because those sizes can only be determined after careful measurement and only after the engine is torn down and after the actual machining has taken place.
I'm sure you already know this, but in the event you don't, now you do.
No sense wasting $$ on something you can't use.
Also the valves/seats need ground/adjusted or replaced if beyond specks.
There are those that just want to slap in a set of rings and rattle can it and call it "all overhauled or rebuilt"
I see it all the time in the "For sale/trade" ads.

[West Valley G]

While certainly full of aftermarket parts I have bought several kits
from bakt4kids and have been perfectly fine with the kits they provided.
Like you I would love to get OEM kits but have never seen them.

Ken

[athomas]

Originally Posted by West Valley G

While certainly full of aftermarket parts I have bought several kits
from bakt4kids and have been perfectly fine with the kits they provided.
Like you I would love to get OEM kits but have never seen them.

Ken

used their kits many times without issue,besides couldn't afford Kohler parts the engine would be worth more than the tractor and all attachments !

[finsruskw]

Most kits I have used worked out just fine and cam w/new valves as well
Valve guides are extra but may be necessary.
Not much more $ so I used them as well.
Your machine shop can install them.
"Do it right, do it once"

[RustyShackleford]

You would have to source NOS Kohler parts individually if you go that route. That’s what I did when rebuilding my K241 in 2021. I didn’t find the part prices to be altogether outrageous. $60 for a piston with rings, $28 for a connecting rod, about $20/ea for the valves, $38 for a couple of SKF bearings, $20 for a head gasket. I bought a used carburetor for $30 and an OEM rebuild kit for $13; much better than rolling the dice on an imported carb. I didn’t replace the coil, but I did use an aftermarket condenser from iSaveTractors. I also bought one of their gasket kits (but obviously used the OEM head gasket); the kit was $50 at the time.

So yes, I paid more than if I had bought a kit, but I didn’t think the prices for the real deal Kohler parts were so insane as to make it prohibitive. I am sure the kit would have been fine, too - but I felt warm and fuzzy buying Kohler (mostly) - which counts for something.

Now, what *was* crazy was the price to buy a NOS crankshaft - almost $300 clams. But no one repops those… hopefully yours isn’t totally worn out!

[IHCub1450]

Originally Posted by RustyShackleford

You would have to source NOS Kohler parts individually if you go that route. That’s what I did when rebuilding my K241 in 2021. I didn’t find the part prices to be altogether outrageous. $60 for a piston with rings, $28 for a connecting rod, about $20/ea for the valves, $38 for a couple of SKF bearings, $20 for a head gasket. I bought a used carburetor for $30 and an OEM rebuild kit for $13; much better than rolling the dice on an imported carb. I didn’t replace the coil, but I did use an aftermarket condenser from iSaveTractors. I also bought one of their gasket kits (but obviously used the OEM head gasket); the kit was $50 at the time.

So yes, I paid more than if I had bought a kit, but I didn’t think the prices for the real deal Kohler parts were so insane as to make it prohibitive. I am sure the kit would have been fine, too - but I felt warm and fuzzy buying Kohler (mostly) - which counts for something.

Now, what *was* crazy was the price to buy a NOS crankshaft - almost $300 clams. But no one repops those… hopefully yours isn’t totally worn out!

Yep, that's what I'm doing. I went on eBay and ordered NOS stock from various vendors. Thankfully the crankshaft is still good. I had it measured with a micrometer.