Operation "Redemption" KT17 rebuild

[Sam Mac]

Man you can't catch a break. Is that from a storm? Insurance?

[MWShaw]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Man you can't catch a break. Is that from a storm? Insurance?

Well, you know the story, it sucks but it could definitely have been worse. My place has an attached garage, and a detached one. My shop is the detached one. That is the structure that took most of the water. None entered our finished basement (thank you Jesus!), only the shop and the shed.

Yes mid eastern Michigan got hit with a monster series of thunder storms last night. Sections of I-75 had 4' of water on them, and are still closed. I-69 and I-475 still have sections closed. Many, many, many people have flooded basements. My next door neighbor to the north, had water running in her basement windows.

All in all, we got off pretty lucky.

I did call my agent today, my home owners policy does have a rider to cover the shop. They said an adjuster would contact us next week. They are obviously swamped with claims, and we are way down the list of importance are far as that goes, and I'm cool with that. Get the folks who got water in their homes took care of first. They said I could begin cleaning up, just take lots pictures. Oh well it was over due for a re organization!

There is one bright spot, I did get my crank back today. Hopefully I'll see some rods next week.

[Vince_o]

I think the mig will be ok, open it up and let it dry out in the sun. Then take some air and try and dry out the hard to reach areas.


This just sucks for you!

[MWShaw]

What I am about to share could be the reason why the motor refused to build oil pressure. I am rather ashamed that I missed it, the last time I assembled the motor, but hey maybe someone can learn from my mistakes? Grandpa always said I made a "good, bad example."

The KT17II that came in my 782, must have been an early series II (spec24302) as it has no provisions for an external oil filter. This did not cause me too much concern, in retrospect, it should have.

You see the oil pressure relief spring is in (2) different locations. Remember, I used the closure plate from the cub motor on the gen set block. Well that caused the relief spring to bind up, and I believe it held the pressure relief valve in the "open" position. No oil went through the block, to the rods and cam. Just the mains, then out of the relief hole, past the ball bound up in the open position.

I realized this too late.

[Methos]

Great info and pics! Thank you!

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by MWShaw

What I am about to share could be the reason why the motor refused to build oil pressure. I am rather ashamed that I missed it, the last time I assembled the motor, but hey maybe someone can learn from my mistakes? Grandpa always said I made a "good, bad example."

The KT17II that came in my 782, must have been an early series II (spec24302) as it has no provisions for an external oil filter. This did not cause me too much concern, in retrospect, it should have.

You see the oil pressure relief spring is in (2) different locations. Remember, I used the closure plate from the cub motor on the gen set block. Well that caused the relief spring to bind up, and I believe it held the pressure relief valve in the "open" position. No oil went through the block, to the rods and cam. Just the mains, then out of the relief hole, past the ball bound up in the open position.

I realized this too late.

When I "flipped" my MV18 Vertical to horizontal use in the 782, I used the KT series 1 closure plate
I use a block mounted filter.
I'm glad you dug till you found the problem.
IIRR I spot faced a shallow place for the spring to set in the closure plate,
But it's been a couple of years, I remember having some question as if to use the plate or not. but it did/does work.

[Vince_o]

Wow what a differance in the 2 plates.

I guess this is just another reason spec numbers are important to have.

[MWShaw]

Originally Posted by ol'George

When I "flipped" my MV18 Vertical to horizontal use in the 782, I used the KT series 1 closure plate
I use a block mounted filter.
I'm glad you dug till you found the problem.
IIRR I spot faced a shallow place for the spring to set in the closure plate,
But it's been a couple of years, I remember having some question as if to use the plate or not. but it did/does work.

Yeah I will have to add a "spot" or surface to oppose the sring.

But here is the rub, after taking the measurments and doing the math, the the sring in the gen set block, (including the ball) had a cavity that measured .898".

The cavity or "space" allowed for the sring and ball in the cub motor was .832".

SOOOOOO seeing as how the gen set block's hole is .444" deep that means the "spot" I need to add on the closure plate needs to be .388" from the gasket sealing surface. Only prolem with that is the area where the spot will go is rough cast at a depth of .408". already .020" too deep, before I do any machining to it.

Now maybe I'm getting way too worked up over .020". But the Kohler manual is pretty specific about measuring the free length of that spring, that makes me believe they are concerned about it.

I may make a short insert for the end of the spring, and machine the "spot" depth accordingly.

The other question I have to ask is why the difference in spring pre load on the (2) motors? The springs are indentical, as are the balls. The only thing I can think is that the genset was set to run at 1800 rpms, and the cub at 3600rpms. Maybe they wanted the relief valve to kick in at a lower pressure on the genset?

Originally Posted by Vince_o

Wow what a differance in the 2 plates.

I guess this is just another reason spec numbers are important to have.

I know right? The problem is finding one. I have yet to see a KT17 seriesII for sale, other than a new short block from Kohler.


Whatever, I'm not giving up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The new gasket set came in last night, as did the new govenor gear set. Now if Aldermans will just call and tell me the rods are in, we will make another run at it.

[MWShaw]

Made an insert pin, for the end of the spring. Shoulder of pin is .050", so I spot faced closure plate down .438". Should result in the exact same spring pre load as the cub motor was born with.

[ACecil]

Thanks for taking the time, to share your pics with us.