Question on balance gears
 

I have heard mixed things on these in the past and was just wondering what everyone's thoughts were...In or Out? My engine is a k301 thst has never been apart but I have heard over time they can loosen up and put a hole through the block? I have always had the philosophy the Kohler engineers put them in there for a reason and they know better than I...what's everyone's thoughts?

I took them out of the K321 that came out of a 147 when I built my 148R. It was the original engine, still in good shape, and the balance gear bearings looked to be fine. Honestly, I can't tell the difference. The Quiet Line engines don't have them as far as I've seen, so they must not be "necessary."

I've always left them out and can't really tell any difference.

Early versions had undersized needle bearings which wore out prematurely, thus the hand grenade reputation. High RPM pullers particularly do not like them for obvious reasons.

Regardless, they are out on my K321.

:biggrin2: When re-doing a K-series engine with balance gears they are the first thing to go in the trash can. I do not need to put all the time and money in a engine and have those gernade gears ventilate the block. But to each his own. :American Flag 1:

IMHO - remove them.

As others have mentioned I followed the experts and left them out of the 147R that I rebuilt. Kind of shakes like its got a modified cam:)
Seems to run fine.
Regards,
Chris

Balance gears
 

I overhauled a 14 hp Kohler last year, when I opened the case and turned it over and took hold of the balance gears, one came out in my hand. The other was flopping around in there. I left them out and can't tell any difference. I think they were Kohler's Edsel in that engine.

If I had it apart I would take them out.

As a bonus, deleting the gears makes the rebuild and the timing a LOT easier.

:beerchug: