My 701 saga

[Bill D 2,891]

17 hours ago, kpinnc said:

This tiny product of unmarried parents better work and not leak. What a pain!

 

 

Personally I would lose it in favor of a screw in valve with screen and rubber lines,  but that's just me

[kpinnc 18,460]

17 minutes ago, Bill D said:

Personally I would lose it in favor of a screw in valve with screen and rubber lines,  but that's just me

 

Actually thinking along those same lines Bill. I like it, but given where it goes, a leak would be infuriating... 

[Bill D 2,891]

You could also make a mounting plate and use a pulse pump like I have done on the big block Kohlers.

[sqrlgtr 3,038]

51 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

Went ahead and applied the first coat on the hood... probably gonna do about 3 coats. 

 

 

Looks great, what color and type of paint are you using? Apologize if it has already been mentioned but I didn't see it anywhere.

[kpinnc 18,460]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

what color and type of paint

 

Just Rustoleum Regal red in a rattle can. Wet sanded the primer coat with 600 grit before this coat, will do the same a couple more times between coats with 800 grit. Just trying to make the paint thick enough to buff it after it cures. Given all the ridges on this hood, that will be a challenge. 

 

Last coat will be the same paint but mixed with hardener applied with a HVLP gun. That is if I can get my gun to spray right. It did not do well previously with Rustoleum. 

[AlexR 3,003]

That hood looks really really nice!!! Great job! 

[sqrlgtr 3,038]

36 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

Just Rustoleum Regal red in a rattle can. Wet sanded the primer coat with 600 grit before this coat, will do the same a couple more times between coats with 800 grit. Just trying to make the paint thick enough to buff it after it cures. Given all the ridges on this hood, that will be a challenge. 

 

Last coat will be the same paint but mixed with hardener applied with a HVLP gun. That is if I can get my gun to spray right. It did not do well previously with Rustoleum. 

Looks great, the last couple cans of rusty regal has not been kind to me . The spray pattern has been too small and it's been hard not to tiger strip. I had a favorite spray tip that I used to swap out on new cans but must have threw it away and haven't had a good one since. 

[SylvanLakeWH 31,555]

3 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Looks great, the last couple cans of rusty regal has not been kind to me . The spray pattern has been too small and it's been hard not to tiger strip. I had a favorite spray tip that I used to swap out on new cans but must have threw it away and haven't had a good one since. 

The new Rustoleum RR cans I've seen have the adjustable 5 pattern tip... works great!

[AlexR 3,003]

Yeah I have used some of the Rust-Oleum cans with the regular tips and they are worse then they used to be. I think ever since they switched some of the cans to the 5 tip pattern, which those are nice btw 

[kpinnc 18,460]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

had a favorite spray tip that I used to swap out on new cans but must have threw it away and haven't had a good one since. 

 

On the old style cans, I clean the tip out by removing it and spraying brake cleaner through it if I don't finish the can. Otherwise they clog badly. 

[953 nut 66,628]

On 6/8/2026 at 12:05 PM, Handy Don said:

or to the Show with @953 nut!

Nearly a four hour drive one way so I'm not too sure that is a viable alternative.            

[WHX?? 56,849]

22 hours ago, kpinnc said:

tractor should be restored as close as I can to original.

[953 nut 66,628]

Sorry double post

Edited yesterday at 01:21 AM by 953 nut

[953 nut 66,628]

Internet trouble, sorry

Edited yesterday at 01:22 AM by 953 nut

[953 nut 66,628]

            internet came back after I had hit the button a few times.

Edited yesterday at 01:24 AM by 953 nut

[kpinnc 18,460]

Well I did not get her running today. Some dummy wired something wrong last week and it took a while to figure it out. 

 

But she is now mechanically ready, and I have 12V at the coil and it has strong spark. All that is left is to run the fuel line. 

 

Maybe tomorrow. 

 

Edited yesterday at 03:23 AM by kpinnc

[ebinmaine 79,158]

Any plans to insulate/ protect the wire terminals from the engine? 

 

 

 

[kpinnc 18,460]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Any plans to insulate/ protect the wire terminals from the engine? 

 

That gap is actually much larger than it appears to be. 

 

And the tabs are about 1/4 inch below the brace. 

 

But yes, when I'm sure it's all working as it should I'll put something over it. 

 

[kpinnc 18,460]

Well, it's late and I smell like gasoline and thread sealer, but she's alive and kicking with no smoke. Fired within 3 seconds of adding gas. Scared the crap out of me because it was so quick! 

 

I know some will not like the voltmeter, but I prefer them to ammeters. And mine is outputting just over 13V on a 100% fully charged battery. 

 

One more thing checked off the list. Almost there. 

 

Funny side note: my wife bought this machine for me 20 years ago. Even though you think they have no interest in it, she was the first to remind me that it only took me over 20 years to get it running... 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by kpinnc

[AlexR 3,003]

Awesome!! That is the best feeling when everything works. 

[kpinnc 18,460]

4 hours ago, AlexR said:

Awesome!! That is the best feeling when everything works. 

 

I definitely had some concerns. It's been a minute since I properly rebuilt a Kohler, and this was my first small block. This engine got the full treatment. New bore, reground crank, and valves and seats recut. I stayed with the original smaller cylinder bore (at .010 over), but it all worked out. 

 

I will say this: the engine runs great but this old K161 has a sharper muffler report than a K181. I had noticed it watching some old YouTube videos of 701s put up by various owners, and wondered if mine would do the same. It's not bad, but it has a "pop" where a K181 has a lower tone. No biggie, but it is noticeable. 

 

I just hope it gives another few decades of service now! 

 

 

 

[sqrlgtr 3,038]

1 hour ago, kpinnc said:

It's not bad, but it has a "pop" where a K181 has a lower tone.

Yeah that non ACR K161 has a different sound to it. I put a new muffler on mine, somewhat quieter, but these types of mufflers are not known for being very quiet anyhow.