JC 1965 1,528 #1 Posted September 23, 2011 :banghead: Hi all, I am planing to try my first engine overhaul on an old K301 this winter. I've read posts where some guys say they leave the balance gears out when they do an overhaul. Why would they do that and is it a good idea? Seems like if they wasn't needed Kohler would have left them out. Any help appreciated, I'm trying to gather all the info i can before i start. :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 500 #2 Posted September 23, 2011 From what I understand the balance gears were an option if the manufacturer wanted a cheaper motor they specked it without balance gears. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaineDad 85 #3 Posted September 23, 2011 Leave them out. If you keep them, you will need a special timing tool to re-install them that is very difficult to do. They call them "Grenade Gears" for a reason... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorts 182 #4 Posted September 23, 2011 If the engine didn't benifit from them being there the accountants wouldn't have allowed the engineers to install them origonally Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 500 #5 Posted September 23, 2011 If the engine didn't benifit from them being there the accountants wouldn't have allowed the engineers to install them origonally Unless of coarse a sales guy said it would be a selling point. If an Engineer says it won't work and a sales guy came up with the idea the sales guy will win 10 times out of 10.... I see it every day, Then I have to make it work for the Engineer :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #6 Posted September 23, 2011 They made some with and some without, that ought to tell you some about what they are worth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,129 #7 Posted September 23, 2011 Balance gears have absolutely no influence on how well the engine runs or how long it will last - unless one of them shatters and comes out through the side of the block. My vote is - and always has been - to remove them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_M 178 #8 Posted September 23, 2011 Throw them as far as you can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommy3horse 3 #9 Posted September 23, 2011 Toss 'em, I left them out on a K301 and a K341 without any additional vibration or other weird stuff. Tom :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 130 #10 Posted September 23, 2011 Suggest you check out Brian Miller's garden tractor pulling website. There you will find information on Balancing the Crankshaft and Piston/Connecting Rod Assesmbly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,528 #11 Posted September 24, 2011 :banghead: Thanks everyone for your input on leaving out the balance gears. I have read a lot of the info that some of you guys have posted and i have a lot of respect for your advice and knowledge. So i will be leaving out the balance gears when i do my engine overhaul. I'll probably be asking a lot of questions when i get started i just hope i don't get on your last nerve. :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hm12460 53 #12 Posted September 25, 2011 You made the right decision Jerry. Those balance gears are bad news. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorts 182 #13 Posted September 25, 2011 It's your choice, but my experience with other industrial engines is that they make the engine run smoother / less vibration and that leads to longer equipment life, Just because they take a special / different procedure or tool to install doesn't make them ''bad''. It's kinda like some other members experience with their first rebuilds, and trying to shortcut recommended procedures and having to go back and redo their mistakes not once but several times to at twice the cost to get a quality job and results that they are happy with :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaineDad 85 #14 Posted September 26, 2011 Paul must be referring to me <_< But from all of the research I did, I am still happy I removed them... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #15 Posted September 26, 2011 I am still happy I removed them... I'm with you Micah, I'll be removing balance gears from all my motors any chance I get. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_M 178 #16 Posted September 26, 2011 They're generally quieter and smoother running WITHOUT the balance gears in them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 11,001 #17 Posted September 26, 2011 Just because they take a special / different procedure or tool to install doesn't make them ''bad''. Hard to argue that point. However, I'll put it another way: There's never been a single engine failure due to NOT having balance gears installed. On the other hand there have been many times that the engines have failed due to the balance gears being left in. Any internal engine part wears over time, and will eventually fail. But no other part in a Kohler engine (stock) can create so much damage when it fails as a balance gear can. They're called grenade gears for a reason... :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorts 182 #18 Posted September 27, 2011 Maine dad, not trying to single anyone out, after 40years as an engine mechanic I've seen lots of inexperienced people ask for advice and then shortcut the process only to have a bad experience that was then blamed on some POS parts,service,procedure or equipment. I,ve even been guilty of taking a shortcut and having it come back to bite me, example using the factory printed manual for timing specs on a mercury outboard and not checking the service bulletins for the correct current information, resulting in 3 melted pistons on the test run in a freshly rebuilt 150hp motor, resulting in buying new parts and staying up all night to rebuild the powerhead again. only made that mistake once. Since then I have been in the position to see lots of people do it to themselves with all kinds of engines and maintenance decisions, fortunately usually its only a money thing, but I have seen Life critical equipment fail due to self inflicted improper maintenance procedures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
