Kohler K341 (16 hp) mods?

[SuzukiT350man]

I’m going to be rebuilding a 16 hp kohler and I want to have a little more get-up-and-go power but not excessive. I’ve heard also that these flathead kohlers won’t tolerate any RPM above 3600, but it’s doable with the right configuration. I plan on (so far) boring it 0.20” over, shave the head 0.0040”, and use ISaveTractors rebuild kit. I’d like it to run a tad over 4000 RPM so the mower deck blades will spin a little faster as well, but not compromise engine reliability and wear. I’ve seen tractor pullers run a modified kohler k series many years in a row capable of 6-7k rpm so I know it isn’t impossible.

Like i said i don’t want to go overboard on modifying it, and nor do I want to send a connecting rod to the mesosphere. I would probably start out with some heavier valve springs and a thinner head gasket for a tad more compression along with the shaved head, a modern magneto kit for shorter ignition delay, and most likely re-jet the carb. The carb came off a K321 but the parts catalog says they have the same size carb but different jet sizes.

So anyone out there that has built a K-Series and knows a couple tricks let me know. I’ve built modern honda and briggs engines but never anything close to this before. It came off of a 169 and I plan on repainting most of the body and frame that’s in bad shape while I have the engine off. Thanks for reading my late night project planning, i’m looking forward to giving progress updates

[RustyShackleford]

Check out Midwest Super Cub.

[Merk]

Is the K341 the original engine to the tractor?
If it is the original engine I would do a stock rebuild. IH Cub Cadet 169's are the 2nd lowest production Cub Cadet made. Only a little over 4000 units were made.

If it was my tractor and I had the hot rod inkling I would find another K341.

I would keep RPM's below 4000 rpm the cast iron flywheel and crank were not design to run over 4000 rpm. Nasty things can happen when they fly apart over 4000 rpm.

Here is a site that can help you out: http://www.kirkengines.com/

[SuzukiT350man]

I know all about K-Series engines above 4000 rpm, I’ve seen a few stock cubs blow up at tractor pulls. I know they made 4,005 cub cadet 169’s, and mine has a million hours on it unfortunately. If it wasn’t in bad condition I would restore it to look like it just left the factory and rarely use it. I know I’d be frowned upon for hot rodding it and I may keep it the way it is. I can’t find any 16 or 18 horse kohlers close by but I’ll find one eventually

[Oak]

Post some pics of your 169 if you can. What is the serial number? 13 fin blocks are highly sought after. You will still be mowing with 50 year old technology so I'm thinking spinning the blades a little faster ain't gonna help ya much.

U in Bama, me in GA?????

[SuzukiT350man]

I’ve had trouble posting pics in the past but it’s not much to look at. It was abused but had proper maintenance and lost so much compression over time that it won’t even pull up a hill without falling flat on its face. Been sitting out in the weather for 10 years and it’s now in the dry on blocks, and gonna need a ton of parts for a full restoration due to the rust. Full restoration coming in 2 years! No, 4 years. Maybe ten. On the bright side, Better for it to be in my garage sitting up than in a scrapyard crusher