k301 going back together tomorrow

[ad356]

I starting to put the k301 back together tomorrow. I already washed the block out with soap and water to remove any fragments from machining. I then blew the block out with compressed air and sprayed it down with WD40. I already re-installed the governor. I had to go through 3 governor gears to find a good one, but I finally did. I had K241 laying around that had a good governor gear. I did notice that it fit a little tight fitting on the pin, is this normal, it is slightly stiff but at least its not loose. I also installed the governor shaft and the screw with the long pin that holds it in place. I sand blasted the blower housing and primed it. Also sandblasted the breather cover and cover that goes over the side of the block near the camshaft. I have all of the parts and I think I'll be ready to put it all back together tomorrow. I have a ring expander, the only thing I need is a ring compressor. I only hope I will be able to find a place that is open tomorrow to buy one.

[Matt G.]

I would not re-use a plastic governor gear. That is one of the things that should be replaced when you have the engine that far apart, along with the governor cross shaft and brass nut.

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by ad356

I had to go through 3 governor gears to find a good one,

That in itself should tell you something shouldn't it...

I wouldn't spend a bunch of money on a rebuild only to have it all ruined for lack of replacing a plastic gear.

I realize that for many of us money is kinda tight, but having to do it all over again isn't an economically wise choice.

[Rhoderman]

I agree with the above. The governor is the first thing you put in, as you just said. That means it's the last thing you take out, which would stink if it broke. Also, as Matt said, the cross shaft should be replaced as well. Mine was a bit wiggly and I reused it, so I'm living on borrowed time (didn't know enough to replace it back then).
I currently have a nice K301 in decent shape, but the governor is no longer working. It was that way when I got it. It's not an easy fix, so that's why it will sit for a few more years probably.

Make sure you get the rings in correctly (right side up), and that you get the gaps spaced around correctly as well. I checked clearance on mine and found they needed a bit of filing for the proper end gap clearance.

Be sure the rod oil hole points in the correct direction. I believe that is the main reason for early failures after a rebuild for these engines.

Good Luck, take your time, and you'll be successful.

[ad356]

i put the shortblock back together today. im sorry to say that i already had that governor in so i used it. i also wanted to get it back together today since i had the time to work on it. the k241 that it came out of was an engine that i actaully used to run. it ran good when i had it on my jd112 but i pulled it becuase the rings were starting to go and i got an extremely good deal on a k301 at the time. i know that the governor was good becuase i didnt have an issues with it. the 2 governors that i found in those other 2 engines were out of engines that showed serous signs of abuse. the governor cross shaft was also tight.

anyways everything is back together, it will hopefully be on the tractor next weekend and the tractor will be moving under its own power again very soon. its sad that someone would have junked this tractor and just let it die.

i will have 2 running k301's pretty soon, i think its pretty cool to have them.

[Matt G.]

Every governor gear is 'good' until you have issues with it. The plastic gears have a finite, limited lifespan. I hope for your sake it hangs around for awhile and doesn't decide it's had enough the first time you run it.

[ad356]

brian miller actually sells used plastic governor gears. why would he do that if they were a throw away item?

[steveyrock]

he can make a buck is why he sells them.

[Matt G.]

Brian Miller is in jail, FYI.

Just because someone is selling them doesn't mean they should be re-used. There are people selling used pistons, rings, rods, etc on ebay...that doesn't mean those should be reused, either. There is a lot of info on that website that is either bad or misleading.

[brjr51]

Not to hijack the thread, but what about the cast governor gears? Would it be better to replace one with a new plastic gear since that's all that is available nowadays, or retain the old metal one?

Bob