Bertie 314 #1 Posted July 14, 2017 (edited) So what I now belive is my engine in the C121 has been swapped out at some stage for a big block Kolher that Im led to belive is a 12hp, 9 head bolts indicate it certainly not a 16hp. The tins and numbers are from the previous engine so numbers are I belive irrelevant... The question is there an easy way identify which engine I currently have as I will be ordering internal part once stripped..... Des Edited July 14, 2017 by Bertie 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,809 #2 Posted July 14, 2017 Measure the bore once you get it apart and look for other numbers on the internals to cross reference. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R. L. Addison 299 #3 Posted July 14, 2017 The difference in the model # is the letter "a" follows the K321 for small base (K321as for small base) and big base will be K321s (s for starter). I personally prefer the big base over the "a" base as I have had the starter wire to the solenoid and coil wire break several times from vibration, and I have had belt slippage under heavier load. I have replaced one of my engines (with a big base engine) and see less problems. (Direct Bolt on.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkskin's mower junkyard 1,117 #4 Posted July 14, 2017 take red bracket off by pulley it should say something like k321 k301 or something 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,981 #5 Posted July 14, 2017 33 minutes ago, craftsmanmowerfreak said: take red bracket off by pulley it should say something like k321 k301 or something behind the drive pulley... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,768 #6 Posted July 14, 2017 4 hours ago, Bertie said: been swapped out at some stage for a big block Kolher that Im led to belive is a 12hp, 9 head bolts indicate it certainly not a 16hp The blue color is an indication of a Kohler replacement engine. With a nine bolt head it would be a K241 or K301. The K241 will have a cylinder boar of 3.25" and the K301 cylinder should measure 3.375. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,809 #7 Posted July 14, 2017 6 minutes ago, 953 nut said: The blue color is an indication of a Kohler replacement engine. I always thought they were a primer gray Richard? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,768 #8 Posted July 14, 2017 2 minutes ago, WHX11 said: I always thought they were a primer gray Richard? Not sure what years that blue was used but I've had a couple of K91s and a K161 that were all that color and the tins were labeled with stickers that showed a year other than the year of the tractor so I presume they were factory replacements. I have seen the gray ones too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #9 Posted July 14, 2017 I have a 16 hp Kohler (on a C160) that was the same color of blue, and the guy told me his dad had replaced the original engine.....but he also told me other things that just weren't true! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #10 Posted July 14, 2017 15 minutes ago, KC9KAS said: but he also told me other things that just weren't true! Sadly it's a similar story for me and seems some people are the same the world over.... but thankfully the majority are good, honnest, hard working people. I'm not put off mine I'll just change the plan round a bit.... its had a replacement engine, no skin off my nose in the end... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #11 Posted July 14, 2017 If you look behind the pulley the numbers are normally stamped there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,909 #12 Posted July 14, 2017 However, many K241's were embossed with the number K301 on the crankcase since both engines were the same casting. Only true way of knowing is to measure the bore. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,435 #13 Posted July 15, 2017 4 hours ago, 953 nut said: The blue color is an indication of a Kohler replacement engine I blue color is and industrial engine, a gray one would indicate a new short block or factory replacement engine. 8 hours ago, craftsmanmowerfreak said: take red bracket off by pulley it should say something like k321 k301 or something not all engines will have K301 etc. on them especially the industrial models 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkskin's mower junkyard 1,117 #14 Posted July 15, 2017 1 hour ago, Shynon said: not all engines will have K301 etc. on them especially the industrial models the industrial ones i have do 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #15 Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) So if we are saying as an industrial engine its a poor option, cheap fix option that really shouldn't be used as im sure I've seen other W/H units from Belgium that have blue engine's ... no issue just want to learn as much as possible 🖒 Edited July 15, 2017 by Bertie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,435 #16 Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Bertie said: So if we are saying as an industrial engine its a poor option industrial engine would not be a poor option, they would be built using the same internals as any other kohler. Kohler's for different brands of tractors came with different cranks specs. among other things, also came painted ready to install on what ever make of tractor they where made for, Wheel Horse, John Deere Cub Cadet just to name a few. Edited July 15, 2017 by Shynon 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #17 Posted July 15, 2017 Ok a bit of investigation this morning shows the following K321 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,909 #18 Posted July 15, 2017 K321...14 hp. Looks like you now have a C-141 instead of a C-121. Now that's some good news. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,768 #20 Posted July 15, 2017 On 7/14/2017 at 10:28 AM, Bertie said: 9 head bolts 5 hours ago, Bertie said: K321 A 321 would have ten head bolts! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #21 Posted July 15, 2017 I best go and count them again 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #22 Posted July 15, 2017 The K321 has 9 head bolts. The K341 has 10. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #23 Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) There you go... Edited July 15, 2017 by Bertie 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #24 Posted July 15, 2017 Definitely NOT a K341. With the casting mark behind the output pulley, it's a safe bet it's a K321...14hp. Only way to be completely positive is to pull the head and measure the bore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertie 314 #25 Posted July 15, 2017 Thanks again guys for your patience in the end it seems I have a replacement engine that is a K321 14hp so plan is to take it apart and rebuild so at least I know which kit to order but will check internals and bore measurement first.... A C121 with a C141 engine (blue industrial).... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites