k141 help

[Kohler_kid 0]

i found this engine in a pile of old scrap in the mountains near me. i decided to bring it home and see if i could get it running. i'm not sure what it was used on. its a k141, the serial number is 932377, the spec number is 29249A. if im understanding right, that means its from after 1969, because that's when they stopped using letters in the serial number. the serial number is 6 digits, not 7, but the 93 matches an engine from 1978. but the carburetor is a Tillotson E-12A. according to it's manual, (which was very hard to find), it was only produced in 1963. it was used on the wheelhorse 633 and the kohler k41. on the wheel horse engine, the k141 had a recoil start, but my engine doesn't, just a basic pull rope. so i really have no idea how old it is or what it was used for.

 

i've cleaned a lot of rust off, replaced the spark plug, the fuel and air filters, and the fuel line. i've set the spark plug gap to 0.025. when the points are at their widest open, i've set it to 0.020. i also cleaned the rusty junk off the points contacts with a fine nail file. i've also replaced the oil with fresh 10w30. i did take the carb apart and tried to clean and adjust it. the governor arm was sticking, so i took it off, cleaned it and adjusted it how the manual says. when i pull the rope fast, it sparks good at the plug. 

 

with all that done, it seems like it should run great. but it does not. its very hard to start. on a good day, it will take more than 5 pulls to pop. it rarely never starts on the first pop, and usually dies after running for a few seconds. if i can get it to run, which happens sometimes, it sounds fine, no rattling or banging. 

what should i do? have i missed something? im wondering if i should take it to a small engine shop, cause they'd have better tools and way more experience than me. (this is my first small engine project) i would rather not because money, and i'd like to try to fix it myself

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,524]

Welcome to Red Square.

Have you seen these?

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?q=k141&quick=1&type=downloads_file

[953 nut 70,125]

12 hours ago, Kohler_kid said:

the carburetor is a Tillotson E-12A. according to it's manual, (which was very hard to find)

12 hours ago, Kohler_kid said:

did take the carb apart and tried to clean and adjust it

 

I have a couple of observations, the fuel is a gravity feed from the tank to the carb. Your fuel line appears to go downward and then upward behind the fan cover ands then downward to the carburetor. Air could be trapped in the high point behind the fan cover obstructing fuel flow.

If relocating the fuel line doesn't cure the problem then you probably need to do a more through cleaning of the carburetor. There are several small passages in the carburetor that respond to the amount of air passing through the venturi and the low pressure created there. If one or more of these is not clean it will never run properly.

Also, I didn't see a condenser connected to the ignition points, is there one at the magneto behind the fan shroud? The lack of a condenser will not prevent the engine from running but it will shorten the life of your points.

Happy hunting, hope this is helpful. 

Edited 8 hours ago by 953 nut
fat finger

[ri702bill 13,280]

I for one, am not a fan of updraft carburetors at all.

That said, Remove the carb adaprer at the block and spray  carb cleaner - a short burst , into the intake. Give it a rip - if it runs, the carb (or fuel line feed) is the issue...

[WHX?? 58,338]

Appears to have been made for Jacobson. Yes those carbs can be finicky. might need to clean it several times. You may be able to try a different standard carb. 

[Kohler_kid 0]

thanks for the advice! i will adjust the fuel line and try to clean/adjust the carb better. i think the condenser is under the flywheel, but i can't check because i don't have a flywheel puller or even a way to remove the big nut holding it on. i don't know how WHX?? found out its from Jacobsen so fast, but he should be a detective!