378Pete 237 #1 Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) Just purchased a 69 charger V8 with a Kohler kv181. Tractor itself is very nice but the engine is toast.I picked it up for a project with my son. Looking to replace engine and acquiring a few parts. Just wanted to say hello to everyone. Edited August 20, 2015 by 69chargerv8 spelling error 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,147 #2 Posted August 20, 2015 It looks like its in great shape!Going with an original vintage motor? Or a newer unit?Mike......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,787 #4 Posted August 20, 2015 Hi 69/C. You will like this site very much. Tons of info here and good people. Enjoy the site. Gary B... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #5 Posted August 20, 2015 Well, now I know what a WH V8 is! I had no idea until just now that it was a vertical shaft!Gads, there is SO much to know about WHs! And what a great place to learn!Thanks for the post and pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,744 #6 Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) Engine might be saveable, whats toast about it? Less desirable vertical for collectors but cool tractor all the same!Do a search here on KV181 and you will find some interesting things about it. Edited August 20, 2015 by WHX4 add 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #8 Posted August 20, 2015 Welcome to the Wheel Horse University. Clean lookin' Charger you picked up too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
378Pete 237 #9 Posted August 20, 2015 It looks like its in great shape! Going with an original vintage motor? Or a newer unit? Mike......... From what I have learned there isnt a huge collectors market so keeping the original motor would be a financial drain. Engine might be saveable, whats toast about it? Less desirable vertical for collectors but cool tractor all the same!Do a search here on KV181 and you will find some interesting things about it. The rod went through the bottom of block I just picked up a bs 12 to convert. Hoping there are minimal issues going forward. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,987 #10 Posted August 20, 2015 Always glad to hear of a father and son project, start that boy out right and he will have in his blood! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
378Pete 237 #11 Posted August 20, 2015 So I walk into the local Toro shop and tell the owner my intentions for this and he just happened to have a 12hp vertical I/C Briggs he pulled a few month's back off a scrap mower. Told me it ran so good he didn't have the heart to junk it and he figured someone would be looking for one eventually. Well that was meant to be. So now I am in at $90 on the mower ($60 tractor $30 on the motor). Now I have a couple questions. Can I drill the New mounting holes in the cast iron or do a plate adapter? Also is there anyone with wiring knowledge on this particular repower? Here is a pic of the tear down with b/s just mocked up on it. Also the hole in the Koehler v8. Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I am a wheel horse nut now! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,744 #12 Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) The rod through the block pretty much means the motor is toast . ......UNLESS you could look around and find a KV in a boneyard with a good block???.......not likely ....but stranger things have happened! If you can line up underside power transmission well I would just say drill new holes.Might be able to find wiring diagrams in the manuals library but should be pretty strait forward. Edited August 20, 2015 by WHX4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
378Pete 237 #13 Posted August 20, 2015 It looks like its in great shape! Going with an original vintage motor? Or a newer unit? Mike......... Would love to have kept the original engine but cost is a HUGE factor in the rebuild. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
