'74 c160 Auto Ring Job

[Joker72 77]

@oliver2-44 So you just don't put the balance gear and needle bearings back in upon re-assembly?  No other adjustments to "delete" it?

 

Thanks.

[ebinmaine 76,901]

3 minutes ago, Joker72 said:

@oliver2-44 So you just don't put the balance gear and needle bearings back in upon re-assembly?  No other adjustments to "delete" it?

 

Thanks.

 

That's correct.  

 

The vibration of the engine will likely change. 

It's just a matter of finding the right RPM to "work" at.  

 

[WHX?? 54,159]

1 hour ago, Joker72 said:

let the snow threats blow over

Yep your not in dire straits yet so wait till you can lay it up for a bit. Yes you can measure the bore and all that good stuff with just the head off. 

[702854boy 432]

23 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

dire straits

Are we installing microwave ovens and moving color tvs now?

[kpinnc 16,806]

2 hours ago, ineedanother said:

is it reasonable to open the block and break the balance gears to remove them without getting into an entire teardown?

 

Yes. 

 

Just drop the pan. The bottom gear can be reached with snap ring pliers. Top one depends on the throw of the crank as to how much of a pain it is. Probably easier to break that one. Just don't leave any debris in the case. But both shafts will (can) be left in place. 

[Joker72 77]

@oliver2-44can to pull the piston to replace the rings without touching the balance gear?

 

[oliver2-44 11,174]

Yes, you can unbolt the rod from the bottom and pull the piston out the top.

whit the rod out, its even a little more access to remove those pesky balance gears.

If john Deere though they didn't need them, a Wheel Horse sure doesn't need them. (OK I'm biased)

[ebinmaine 76,901]

53 minutes ago, Joker72 said:

@oliver2-44can to pull the piston to replace the rings without touching the balance gear?

 

 

Remove the gears..... or you'll eventually wish you did.  

 

With the piston & rod out it's an easy enough task. 

[Joker72 77]

@ebinmaineI'm not arguing against but I do want to consider that it runs, what seems to be near perfectly, with the exception of consuming oil.    ??

Edited 47 minutes ago by Joker72

[squonk 45,195]

21 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

@Joker72

Here's some pictures of the C161 I picked several years ago. 

It was parked for many years as the balance gear destroyed the side of the piston.

You can see a needle in the oil pan and piston picture trash.

If you keep the balance gears, when you replace the bearings you also have to check the short polished shafts they ride on. As I recall, the shafts have a very tight wear allowance.

Had the exact same thing! 

 

[ebinmaine 76,901]

9 minutes ago, Joker72 said:

@ebinmaineI'm not arguing against but I do want to consider that it runs, what seems to be near perfectly, with the exception of consuming oil.    ??

 

....... for now.  

 

The gears wear. The gear's bearings wear. The shafts wear. Combine those and it doesn't go well.  

 

Here's a video of one of my own C160 K341s from several years ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

I get your logic. If it ain't broke....

But REALLY check your own gears when you have the engine apart. 

 

They WILL be out of spec.  

 

 

Again ... I will NEVER go into another Kohler big block without removing the balance gears. 

[Joker72 77]

I see.  Great vid!  Thanks for sharing.