782 KT17 Series II rebuild

[BanditCub]

Can anybody point me to a place for pistons? I've pulled it all apart, measured it at home and thought I could just ring it; it really didn't look bad. I ordered Std rings (Genuine Kohler) and some parts to rebuild the starter.

Three days later, the more I look at it the more it appears pistons are inevitable. I have some really bad gouges right above the ring lands on both pistons. My Kohler book only shows .003 and .010. The machine shop told me they would probably need to take at least .010 and maybe .020, there is a lot of oil build up and carbon build up. Kohler pistons from CC are $280 a piece, and some online searching i could maybe get them for $150 to $180 (ebay).

I now remember why I hate Kohlers so much. Does the aftermarket not make a piston? Anybody know a supplier? I used to put B&G pistons in my gokarts growing up and they were about $30 a piece, what justifies a $280 piston? My BG&Ss could take one hell of a beating and never once gave me issues - I used to run them WOT all day long for days on end (young kid and his mightly 5hp BG&S)

The more I look at this the more I keep telling myself to just repower the darn thing. I now have rings I most likely can't use and a huge bill to properly rebuild it.

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by BanditCub

Can anybody point me to a place for pistons? I've pulled it all apart, measured it at home and thought I could just ring it; it really didn't look bad. I ordered Std rings (Genuine Kohler) and some parts to rebuild the starter.

Three days later, the more I look at it the more it appears pistons are inevitable. I have some really bad gouges right above the ring lands on both pistons. My Kohler book only shows .003 and .010. The machine shop told me they would probably need to take at least .010 and maybe .020, there is a lot of oil build up and carbon build up. Kohler pistons from CC are $280 a piece, and some online searching i could maybe get them for $150 to $180 (ebay).

I now remember why I hate Kohlers so much. Does the aftermarket not make a piston? Anybody know a supplier? I used to put B&G pistons in my gokarts growing up and they were about $30 a piece, what justifies a $280 piston? My B&Gs could take one hell of a beating and never once gave me issues - I used to run them WOT all day long for days on end (young kid and his mightly 5hp B&G)

The more I look at this the more I keep telling myself to just repower the dam thing. I now have rings I most likely can't use and a huge bill to properly rebuild it.

Just my 2 cents and I know I will catch a lot of flack for it but I wouldn’t spend the $$$$$$ to rebuild a KT. If it was me I’d drop a Vanguard , Honda or a Kohler CH in it and be done with it.

[garrynok]

I agree with Sam Mac. If you have to spend a big chunk of money either way, with a new engine you gain about thirty years in engineering plus the new engine has parts readily available. You get improvements in carburation, ignition and fuel economy. Good luck which ever way you go!

[BanditCub]

See that's where my thinking is, I'd rather spend more and stuff in a Vanguard as well. All I ever read is rebuild the Kohler, rebuild the Kohler.....

[steve59]

What your reading is rebuilding a K series Kohler which is pretty simple. On the other hand, a KT series II like you have has a full pressure lubrication system and that's a whole different animal that requires some special tools to rebuild.

[steveyrock]

I would ask how much this tractor means to you and what would a new replacement machine cost that is anywhere near the durabilty and usefullness of the 782.

if you really want the 782 and enjoy it's abilities it's worth the money to get it back in service. Myself, I would repower that tractor and get many more years of use out of it. Perhaps you could get a good sum for it when ever you would decide to resell it.

[Matt G.]

Try www.tewarehouse.com for aftermarket pistons. I'm not sure what Steve59 is talking about...there are no special tools needed that aren't needed for a K-series single.

[ol'George]

I'd go with a rebuild or a M-18 which is the latest/greatest of the kt series.
I put a M-18 in my 782 and love it,course I only have maybe 350 hours on it myself,it was taken out of a 1720 so it has a lot more hours on it than that.
When the time comes for a refresh I'll do just that.
But it is only what I chose to do, you can put a small block chevy in if you choose Ha,LOL!
pistons/rings/clips/pin for the mag run about $150 per breast avail in std .003,.010,.020,.030 IF your series II has the newer style pistons ( thinking they will fit but not sure.

http://www.m-and-d.com/IPL.html#/Koh...OGS%7c%7e32427
as Matt says no special tools needed.

If it were me I have over the years freshioned up many an engine with just rings/ hand lappin valves. If you are concerned with the piston above the top ring land, unless it is gouged into the ring land itself, it will not hurt anything BTDT send us some pix and let us see.
I'd go with your origional plan depending on your pix's

[steve59]

My mistake fellers.......I read that on Kohlers website a while back. Oh wait, they like sellin' tools too.

[Leadslingingdaddy]

I'm with Sam...

Drop a CH 20+ hp in it. Find a used 2185 or greater on CL and recoupe the cost by selling the deck and other items...I did this with my green 318...Onan was toast at 1200hrs..Made my own repower kit and it runs like a champ and is much easier on fuel..

I have about 350.00 into that swap.

Remember its your tractor do what ya want to it to make it your own.