Engine Rebuilder - Can You Recommend One???

[leeave96 490]

I am near Roanoke VA and have a couple of Kohler cast iron single cylinder K series engines I'd like to have rebuilt or at least bored and perhaps the crank ground. In my neck of the woods, it is very difficult to find anyone that 1) is willing to do a "mower" engine and 2) has a clue about what they are doing with respect to these fine old Kohler engines.

Question is - can anyone recommend someone reliable/trustworthy who can rebuild/machine as necessary a Kohler K series engine - within striking distance to Roanoke?

Thanks!!!

Bill

[SousaKerry 503]

Not sure where the shop is but Brian Miller specializes in Kohler engine rebuilds http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/a1miller.htm

[JackC 617]

I am in Western, MA and have not found anyone yet that I would trust my engines with.

Brian is in Columbia, MO 65203.

He shares a lot of knowledge and must know what he is doing.

I may just pay the shipping to and from to let him go through one of my engines just for the piece of mind.

I have seen some sloppy work done by shops that must let new hires do some of the work.

I bought a tractor that had the engine rebuilt but it did not run.

When I took the heads off, i found an air cleaner screw holding the intake valve open and there was no clearance on the valves.

I got a great deal because it did not run and after a quick fix it started and ran fine even with the valve clearance not correct.

[CRE1992 135]

I am near Roanoke VA and have a couple of Kohler cast iron single cylinder K series engines I'd like to have rebuilt or at least bored and perhaps the crank ground. In my neck of the woods, it is very difficult to find anyone that 1) is willing to do a "mower" engine and 2) has a clue about what they are doing with respect to these fine old Kohler engines.

Question is - can anyone recommend someone reliable/trustworthy who can rebuild/machine as necessary a Kohler K series engine - within striking distance to Roanoke?

Thanks!!!

Bill

I have a friend in South Jersey that is a Diesel Mechanic by trade, and operates his own small engine repair shop. Whenever I have any engine questions that I do not know, he is who I call. I strongly recommend him for engine rebuilds. He is very friendly and personable. However he does not have the equipment to turn a crank or bore an engine block.

His work is top notch. He rebuilt an onan out of a 520, and had it tuned so perfectly it would start at 45 degrees without using the choke.

If anyone is interested, I will talk to him and see if he would be interested.

[JackC 617]

It would be great to see a list of engine builders in the classified section or at the beginning of the engine section. One per state or region would be a good start. I would not mind travelling 100 miles or so to a good shop. They are out there. Maybe the people into pulling know where they are?

[Forest Road 594]

Member Rmaynard lives in Maryland. Hi neighbor had a motor built locally. You may want to contact him.

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

You are right about the pullers knowing. I have a friend at work who pulls and all his work goes to central Oh. The man is a Koeler guy.

Like said above,It would be nice to have sticky on reputable kohler rebuilders.

[oldredrider 2,553]

Bill...PM sent

[rmaynard 16,343]

The engine builder in my area that Forest Road referenced is Mark Small Machine, Inc.

http://marksmallmachine.com

Not a short drive from Roanoke, but if all else fails...

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Bill, you know where I live. Come drive my CC with the freshly rebuilt K-341. If you like it, then I will put you in touch with my friend who rebuilt it. He is working on another engine for me now. I will be happy to help you.

Van