Engine rebuild

randallc · #1 11-18-2013, 09:34 PM

Deep into my K301 out of a 1250. Never tackled one before. Piston was .020 and it has considerable scoring in cylinder. Have contact with a machine shop that builds engines, but not Kohler 12 horse. He said he can bore it and sleeve it if Kohler offers a sleeve. It appears that .030 over would not remove all the scoring so would need the sleeve.
Where do I get a sleeve?
Well over my head, but wanting to learn my options.

J-Mech · #2 11-18-2013, 11:01 PM

Kohler doesn't make a sleeve. It will be cheaper to buy an engine block than it will be to sleeve it. He will have to find a sleeve from a company specializing in sleeves (or engine hard parts) and bore and fit the sleeve custom to the Kohler. Not a cheap or worthwhile task. There were a few engine blocks on this site in the for sale section, or check e-bay. Either way, you need to just find another motor block.

Merk · #3 11-19-2013, 05:47 AM

I have three K321 that were sleeved. The price to have them done was under $100 each.

Sam Mac · #4 11-19-2013, 09:58 AM

Here is a guy selling a running K301 for $100.00
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/grd/4171653248.html

samiam44 · #5 11-19-2013, 10:28 AM

you don't need a special small engine machine shop.

Any good automotive machine shop should be able to order a sleeve and machine/press it in. Nothing special or hard- done frequently. Then buy a standard piston. I've seen old stock Kohler stuff on ebay for 1/2 of list. Go for the new style Mahle if your budget has room.

Michael

randallc · #6 11-19-2013, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the info. I think I have found a source for the sleeve. If that doesn't work will be looking for a good used one fairly close by. Will try to keep folks informed if I can pull it off and then remember how it goes back together.

sawdustdad · #7 11-20-2013, 07:55 AM

take lots of pictures as you disassemble the engine. Lay the parts out in logical sequence on the bench. At least that's my M.O.

johncub7172 · #8 11-20-2013, 01:30 PM

I found the thread interesting, because I myself did not think folks would go to such a event to sleeve a Iron Line Kohler. Then after reading the comments, I thought why not? Seems to me that that procedure in general is a very common practice. I mean, way back when, the old Wisconsin air cooled engines { some two cylinder inline } had been made to re-sleeve when the problem arose. Then I had thought how common the practice is when you think about big diesel engines, like Cat, Mack, International, and how those get re-sleeved all the time.

edit: Speaking of International, today, stopped at the red light was a HUGE International 444 Payscrap on a rather large, with many wheels carry-all trailer. The tractor looked really nice!

J-Mech · #9 11-20-2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johncub7172

I found the thread interesting, because I myself did not think folks would go to such a event to sleeve a Iron Line Kohler. Then after reading the comments, I thought why not? Seems to me that that procedure in general is a very common practice. I mean, way back when, the old Wisconsin air cooled engines { some two cylinder inline } had been made to re-sleeve when the problem arose. Then I had thought how common the practice is when you think about big diesel engines, like Cat, Mack, International, and how those get re-sleeved all the time.

edit: Speaking of International, today, stopped at the red light was a HUGE International 444 Payscrap on a rather large, with many wheels carry-all trailer. The tractor looked really nice!

Just as a note: The big diesel motors, and quite a few IH gas engines, were made with sleeves. You just press or drive the old ones out (depending on if they are wet, or dry sleeves) and put new in. MUCH different than sleeving a motor that was not built with them.

Merk must have a really good machine shop. Every time I wanted to sleeve a motor (kohler or otherwise) by the time you paid for the sleeve and the machine work, it was cheaper to buy another block!

Merk · #10 11-20-2013, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Merk must have a really good machine shop. Every time I wanted to sleeve a motor (kohler or otherwise) by the time you paid for the sleeve and the machine work, it was cheaper to buy another block!

I do enough business with them plus I grew up with the owners.