Tip for mounting K-181 on a Commando8

[pfrederi 19,159]

It is very difficult to get the front two mounting bolts hooked up on a K-181 on an 856/commando frame.  You can't get good access to the under side of the frame to get the bolt up through or hold a nut if you bring the bolt down from the top.  After a half hour of frustration I had a brain fart.    With the engine slid back you can work the bolt up from the bottom.  So I got two 3/8" E clips slipped them over the bolt on the top side of the frame.  Held the bolt in place while I lowered the engine over them.  Just catch the lock washer and nut then use a pry bar lift the engine and with a small hook you can pull the E clip off.

 

 

[ebinmaine 75,459]

Niiiiice

[ri702bill 10,462]

Paul, I can relate to that... I bought a cheap 9/16" 6 point 3/8" drive socket for that purpose. I ground one side flat parallel to one of the socket flats. I left about .030 wall...

I use that socket with an extension to hold the hexnut from below while installing the bolt from above.

Your method works fine without the added cost...

[rmaynard 16,668]

I had an 856, have an 857 a Commando 8 and an 875. All have K-181's. Each one had the engine removed and reinstalled. I never recall having any problem with engine mounting bolts. 

[squonk 44,836]

I use the push nuts like you see holding brake drums on from the factory.

[adsm08 3,805]

2 hours ago, rmaynard said:

I had an 856, have an 857 a Commando 8 and an 875. All have K-181's. Each one had the engine removed and reinstalled. I never recall having any problem with engine mounting bolts. 

 

I've had the engine out of my 855 a few times now and never had much trouble either. Just gotta use both hands.

 

2 hours ago, squonk said:

I use the push nuts like you see holding brake drums on from the factory.

 

That's not a bad idea. Where do you get them?

[squonk 44,836]

Just now, adsm08 said:

 

I've had the engine out of my 855 a few times now and never had much trouble either. Just gotta use both hands.

 

 

That's not a bad idea. Where do you get them?

A good hardware store has them if they keep the drawers stocked.

[adsm08 3,805]

Just now, squonk said:

A good hardware store has them if they keep the drawers stocked.

 

Oh. I don't have one of those. Our Ace used to be good before it was an Ace.

[JoeM 9,171]

5 hours ago, pfrederi said:

bolt in place while I lowered the engine over them

Nice pro tip Idea!

If I can add, I put one longer bolt in the corner near the battery and use it as a stud for hooking up the ground.

[WHX?? 53,157]

I used a dab of silicone but was quitting for the nite so had time to set up. 

[Ed Kennell 43,619]

Plumbers putty works as a bolt holder. I think that's how I got the fuel tank mounted in the 953.

[Retired Wrencher 6,140]

14 hours ago, rmaynard said:

I had an 856, have an 857 a Commando 8 and an 875. All have K-181's. Each one had the engine removed and reinstalled. I never recall having any problem with engine mounting bolts. 

I agree with that, Bob. It is a little tight in the front, but I’ve never stopped me from bolting it down.

[squonk 44,836]

The last 2 times I put an 8 in the hole, I used a 1/4" dr. 1/2" flex socket stiffened up with electrical tape with an 8" extension to get the bolt in place and hold it before putting on the push nut 

[WHX?? 53,157]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

flex socket stiffened up with electrical tape

Now that trick really works good 

[pfrederi 19,159]

Some of you must have much thinner more flexible fingers than I.

 

 

[squonk 44,836]

Undoing the inner tie rods helps give some more room too.