K161 flywheel housing?

[Ashton1118 20]

Is it possible to just drill holes in the flywheel housing to accept the pull starter or do you have to get a whole new housing? 

[953 nut 59,268]

A few pictures of the parts you are contemplating putting together would help.

[Shynon 7,476]

you would  have to be perfect otherwise the recoil would hit the starter cup and  bind up and not allow the rope to return. I would find a housing already drilled for a pull start.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

The Cub Cadet Original K161 had an extra pulley with the notch to attach a rope with a knot that wrapped around then used as a back up to the generator/starter system there was no need for a recoil type rope housing, just throwing that out there as simpler solution, Jeff.

[woodchuckfarmer 333]

The recoil has to be centered on the recoil cup.       Wayne

[wallfish 17,873]

Center the recoil on there and mark the holes. Drill them just slightly larger than the bolt for some fine adjustment (1/4-20? bolt - 9/32 bit ) The recoil's holes will have some adjustment too. Install the cup, attach the recoil to the housing and install the housing. Test and adjust if necessary until it's centered and works correctly. Remove the housing again and tack weld the nuts to the inside of the housing. You don't have to weld them but that will sure make things much easier if the recoil ever needs service.

[AMC RULES 37,182]

I've found, if you finger tighten the mounting bolts first...

then, give a slight pull on the starting rope...

helps the starter find it's own center in the starter cup.

Then...final torque your bolts, and recheck for smooth operation.

[WH nut 553]

I have done it, all suggestions above are great. One problem you will find is there isn't a lot of clearance on the inside and the flywheel could hit the bolts. I found the best solution is to use a carriage bolt from the inside out. leave it loose to center then pull the cover off to tighten