Cylinder Head Polishing?

[JOHN SCHUTTE]

What is the best way to polish the combustion chamber of a cast aluminum K301 cylinder head? Is it worth the effort? Is there any HP increases? Here is a picture of my head that has already had the gasket mounting surface machined and shows a bad spot where something went through the combustion chamber. Any tips/trick would be greatly apperciated.

[Cub Cadet 123]

It can't hurt!! You can try using oven cleaner to loosen the deposits -- if that doesn't get all of it, then I have used some automotive 1000+ grit sandpaper to lightly sand them away and then use lacquer thinner to thoroughly clean it before re-assembly.

Cub Cadet 123

[JOHN SCHUTTE]

Well, things have been slow lately on this project due to cold weather and the fact my painter has been draging his feet on shooting the red paint. I knew better than to do it, but I "pre-paid" for the work. Lesson learned. Everything but the frame and front axle is sitting in prime. The front wheels have been painted aluminum and the steering gear box has been painted satin black. I was suprised at how good a finish Dupli-color rattle cans lay down. I will post some new pictures soon.

[JOHN SCHUTTE]

Originally Posted by john schutte

well, things have been slow lately on this project due to cold weather and the fact my painter has been draging his feet on shooting the red paint. I knew better than to do it, but i "pre-paid" for the work. Lesson learned. Everything but the frame and front axle is sitting in prime. The front wheels have been painted aluminum and the steering gear box has been painted satin black. I was suprised at how good a finish dupli-color rattle cans lay down. I will post some new pictures soon.

opps.....wrong thread!

[JOHN SCHUTTE]

Thanks Wild Bill for the information. One problem I have is there isn't a local pulling club so my build is going off of other club rules across the USA. Due to the fact that I have modified the frame and other mods that will be done to the engine, it looks like I will end up with a Sport Stock class puller. I also want to be able to use this tractor at home as a worker as well, so I dont want to get to wild with the engine and lose some reliability.

[JOHN SCHUTTE]

Thanks again Wild Bill! Would a 18hp cam(longer duration, stock lift) work fine in a 12hp k301 governed at 4,000 rpm for yard work? I have also read the "killer kohler" build many times due to some useful information.

[Merk]

Kirk's cheater cam is a better choice than the 18 horse power cam. I've ran both....Kirk's cheater cam makes better power and is cheaper too.

I did the Killer Kohler mods to my K241 in my 100. Tractor doesn't run out of power.

I didn't respond to your orginal question in this topic: What is the best way to polish the combustion chamber of a cast aluminum K301 cylinder head?. There isn't much you can do except try another head. The best head I found is the one that has the spark plug over the exhaust valve. Running a good grade of fresh fuel will make your Kohler run good.