I'm running Rotella T 15W40 in my Night Rod. :biggrin2:

I run that in my Duramax truck, and my CRF 450 Honda. My Electra Glide gets Mobil 1 20w50:beerchug:

Great Post
 

MWShaw: I stumbled across your thread looking for information on rebuilding an M18. You did a great job on your write-up, I'm going to find and read your write-up on the GenSet as well.

I gotta say, I certainly respect your perseverance in the face of set-backs that would have stymied a lesser man. Unraveling the front cover mystery was especially informative. I don't know that I would have been able to figure it out; much less fix it!

Based on your experience, I'm also hopeful that I can find parts, if need be, for my M18 --governor and rod particularly.

Looking at the two front covers, and noticing the gasket on the one from the GenSet; I'm wondering if part of the issue might be that the GenSet engine was designed for use with a gasket, while the KT17 was designed to be sealed with silicone sealant. I know that this was an issue for the M18 motors: the Service Manual for the M18 states:

Later production models use silicone sealant
as a gasket between the closure plate and
crankcase. In order to eliminate the fiber
gasket and use sealant, an additional 0.020"
of material was added to the closure plate.
Therefore, closure plates designed for use
with gaskets cannot be installed using
sealant; closure plates designed for use
with sealant cannot be installed using a
gasket.

The NOTE appears under Section Heading "Install Oil Pressure Relief Valve, Closure Plate, and Rear Oil Seal," see Kohler Service Manual for the M18 and M20 engines, in the Reassembly chapter, at page 11.9

But even if this were true for the KT17 motors, it would not seem to account for all the differences I see in the pictures of the two cover plates.

I just think it is amazing that you were able to figure out what was wrong and fix it. I salute you, sir!

Jeremiah

Thank you!