M-18 Kohler

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by Matt G.

I might be wrong but I think you can only go .020" over on the KT and Magnum twins. If not that, then .030" over is definitely the max.

I think Matt is correct,
I don't remember seeing anything over + .020 offered from Kohler.
The fact that the cylinders are available individually, they figure if they don't clean up @ .020 just replace the jug with a new one.
If you are lucky, your cylinders will be in spec. and just need replacement of Std. Rings.
Only a teardown will tell you which way you need to go, and if other things may need attention like connecting rods, valves etc.

[1811woody]

Originally Posted by BCDSFCRET

My 1811 was smoking and using oil. All I did to repair the engine was remove it from the tractor. I pulled off the cylinder jugs. From there I honed the cylinders and installed new piston rings. The piston rings came from ebay. I used the $26.00 ones and they worked just fine. The 1811 does not use a gasket on the cylinder jug to block. Use high temperature RTV black. Do not use too much on the mating surfaces. I did not take the head off the cylinders. this will save you some more money. I have about $60 in my engine and it runs good and does not use oil anymore.

Thank you for the reply. How many hours did you have at the time when you reringed? Mine has aprox 1600 and I'm a little worried about the governer whether its pinned or not i read on here that its a real issue whats your thoughts

[ajgross]

The only problem with boring a KT/Mag is that the pistons are crazy expensive. I think they are around $155 each. I would almost bet you could have it resleeved cheaper.

AJ

[jbollis]

Originally Posted by ajgross

The only problem with boring a KT/Mag is that the pistons are crazy expensive. I think they are around $155 each. I would almost bet you could have it resleeved cheaper.

AJ

I am pretty sure you can get a rebuild kit,including pistons, for the mag 18 for right around $200. For some reason the kits for the kt's are near twice as much.

[Merk]

by 1811Woody
Need to rebuild the M-18 (smokes and uses oil) from my 1811 looking for a rebuild kit any suggestions as to where to get the most bang for the buck. I hope to rebuild this myself for less than $1000.00 Thanks Doug

Let's keep in mind 1811woody wants the best bang for the buck.

The first that needs done is diassemble the motor to see what needs done. Odds are the pistons are going to show some wear and/or marks. The area by to the exhaust valve on the piston will have some burnt/melting of the piston. The governor gear (if it is a plastic one) should be replace when the motor is apart. I would replace the crank seals while the motor is apart too. The connectig rods are must replace when you rebuild a motor. The crank journal(s) need measured to make sure they are in spec.

Get a Kohler manual if you have a manual. A copy can be downloaded from the OCC's technical section or from Kohler. The manual will show you the correct way to measure cylinder wall and crank journals. You should use a micrometer, bore gage or both to measure the cylinder wall and crank journals. If you don't have access to the gages take the cylinders a good automotive machine shop and let them measure them. Odds are the cylinder(s) will be close to or out of spec. I have the automotive machine shop do the machine work. In the long run you will better off letting them do the work. I have been a machinist for more than 30 years and rebuilding small motors close to 40 years. I let the automotive machine shop do the machine work. The shop I use has a cylinder boring machine.

Most motors will not last very long very long until it starts to smoke and use oil again by just honing the cylinder(s) and a set of rings from e-pay. E-bay is the last place I would buy rings from. I've heard stories of buyers getting the wrong part(s) and having a hard time getting the right parts from seller.

It is your choice.....The way I do a motor cost more-it will last longer and make more power. I had someone who want just a hone and new rings. Less than 2 years later the motor had to be rebuild again. This time it was done right.

[Matt G.]

Originally Posted by jbollis

I am pretty sure you can get a rebuild kit,including pistons, for the mag 18 for right around $200. For some reason the kits for the kt's are near twice as much.

Got a link? I've never seen any aftermarket pistons for the Magnum twins...

[jbollis]

Originally Posted by Matt G.

Got a link? I've never seen any aftermarket pistons for the Magnum twins...

Here is the link, And I never said they were aftermarket !

http://www.psep.biz/store/kohler_rebuild_kits.htm


Also here at the bottom of page 6 - top page 7 . From std to + .030 , under $100 per cylinder.

http://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeen...&cPath=171_103

[Matt G.]

Wow!

I've got that bookmarked now...

[mike straub]

Does the Govenor gear brake or what?

[1811woody]

Originally Posted by mike straub

Does the Govenor gear brake or what?

From what I've read from other members yes and they also need to be pinned at rebuild which they are not from the factory I would also like more details on this! What kind of hours can one expect to get out of a factory m18 with moderate use before the governer flys apart