K161 Piston rod Too Long!

[Kelpie]

I got the piston back in my K161, and it sticks up by about 0.090 - 0.10 ABOVE the block.

So I checked and the piston is correct, but the rod is too long. Should I have the rod sent back to Kohler? It is at least 0.090 - 0.10 too long.

Here are a few pictures. One with the new rod in front of the old one and one with the new rod behind the old one. Also, one with them side by side.

Thanks,

[CC1450]

kelpie- if it doesn't fit, it just plain doesn't fit. There must have been a mix up somewhere along the way and you got a rod for a different engine would be my best guess.

[ol'George]

I would say send it back,
as it is for a shorter stroke engine.

[angry1]

Part numbers don't match they sent you the wrong rod.

[AMCJavelin74]

...what they said. Somehow you ended up with a conrod for a different mill.

[Kelpie]

Now I feel like a dope... I stopped by a mower place here in town which specializes in Kohler, and they determined that since this engine is a short block, that Kohler stopped making the K161 and when Dad ordered the short block, we actually got a K181. Well, that's what I have, but didn't know it. I ended up getting the crank turned to 0.010 under, since it was close to being out of spec and put in a K181 0.010 under rod, and everything is right with the world now.

If anyone knows someone who needs a K161 standard rod, I now have one for sale.....

[TEET]

Is this for the small bore or large bore k161...there is a difference in parts for each.

Jeff (teet)

[Methos]

Originally Posted by Kelpie

Now I feel like a dope... I stopped by a mower place here in town which specializes in Kohler, and they determined that since this engine is a short block, that Kohler stopped making the K161 and when Dad ordered the short block, we actually got a K181. Well, that's what I have, but didn't know it. I ended up getting the crank turned to 0.010 under, since it was close to being out of spec and put in a K181 0.010 under rod, and everything is right with the world now.

If anyone knows someone who needs a K161 standard rod, I now have one for sale.....

Bummer on the wrong part, but I'm glad you've got it figured out.. If your going to try and list it for sale make a posting in the for sale section of the site. That will improve your chances of finding a buyer.

[Kelpie]

Originally Posted by TEET

Is this for the small bore or large bore k161...there is a difference in parts for each.

Jeff (teet)

I thought I had the large bore K161, but I have the K181. I do have a partial K161 that I am going to list for sale as well, but don't know if it's the large or small bore. Looks like it is off an Original though.

[TEET]

The differences get confusing...but the large bore k161 is basically the same piston and bore size as a k181 with a shorter stroke, and the small bore still utilizes the shorter stroke, but with a smaller piston and bore size as well. This is why you see a lot of retailers selling rebuild kits that say they will fit both the k161 and k181, which is true, unless you have the small bore 2-7/8" cylinder. The large bore K161 is 2-15/16" ...I learned the hard way that I had a small bore when I ordered a Kohler K161 piston, and it was wayyy to big to fit in the cylinder. Small bore k161 parts are nearly impossible to find, so the common thing to do is to simply bore the cylinder out to standard k181 specs 2-15/16".... I know, I know..way too much info Don't ask me why Kohler switched to the large bore, but my 73 still has a good running stock small bore in it, and its the original engine from 69'

Jeff (teet)