Chris1055 106 #1 Posted October 29, 2018 Hi everyone. In my travels I’ve come across a k361 I can’t see it going to salvage. I know they went made long and have trouble with getting oil up in the top end. It was on a wood splitter and the guy said it was not abused. I’m pretty much a purest when it comes to wheel horses and don’t like cutting them up. So my question would be. Is this a good candidate to put on a c160 auto to use with a snowblower? I have a hood that is pretty beat up that I can make work with clearance issues because of the ohv. This motor is not a need more of just experimenting. But I was going to repaint the tractor in the spring so I’d figure I can clean up and put new gaskets and seals on the original motor it needs a couple and then I can paint it and have it ready. What do you guys think? Worth it or not? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #3 Posted October 29, 2018 any cast iron kohler engine is worth saving. I buy everyone I can regardless the condition as long they are priced within reason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 58,384 #4 Posted October 30, 2018 If I remember right the few models that came with them had a spacer under the hood hinge and dash to allow for the OHV. Very cool to have, hope it works out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,411 #5 Posted October 30, 2018 I just picked one of those up myself last week. I plan on using it to pull next season on one of my pullers. If you decide not to use it let me know. From what I have researched they are ok sol long as you run them at higher RPM and use the lighter oil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris1055 106 #6 Posted October 30, 2018 4 minutes ago, 953 nut said: If I remember right the few models that came with them had a spacer under the hood hinge and dash to allow for the OHV. Very cool to have, hope it works out. Wow I didn’t think wheel horse even had these in them! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris1055 106 #7 Posted October 30, 2018 2 minutes ago, stevebo said: I just picked one of those up myself last week. I plan on using it to pull next season on one of my pullers. If you decide not to use it let me know. From what I have researched they are ok sol long as you run them at higher RPM and use the lighter oil. Do they call for lighter oil or just for safe measure? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 58,384 #8 Posted October 30, 2018 3 minutes ago, Chris1055 said: Wow I didn’t think wheel horse even had these in them! Can't remember for sure that it was a factory installation. I just have a recollection of a post several years back where the K361 was in a mid '70s Horse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris1055 106 #9 Posted October 30, 2018 8 minutes ago, stevebo said: I just picked one of those up myself last week. I plan on using it to pull next season on one of my pullers. If you decide not to use it let me know. From what I have researched they are ok sol long as you run them at higher RPM and use the lighter oil. Do they call for lighter oil or just for safe measure? If anybody has pics of one of these in a tractor I would love to see them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 58,384 #10 Posted October 30, 2018 MY BAD! Turns out it was a Tecky OHV, Not Kohler. See post # 31. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,146 #11 Posted October 30, 2018 I'd use it just to be different. Love the look of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,411 #12 Posted October 30, 2018 40 minutes ago, Chris1055 said: Do they call for lighter oil or just for safe measure? If anybody has pics of one of these in a tractor I would love to see them Here is the manual K361.pdf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris1055 106 #13 Posted October 30, 2018 14 hours ago, stevebo said: Here is the manual K361.pdf Thanks for the manual pdf. Hopefully it goes through and I get it this week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,338 #14 Posted October 30, 2018 If you don't buy it now and it goes to scrap chances are you'll be staring at it as a toaster later on Lol! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,583 #15 Posted October 30, 2018 I would love to have one of those just to have it. Very cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,146 #16 Posted October 30, 2018 5 minutes ago, 19richie66 said: I would love to have one of those just to have it. Very cool. I had that thought too. Neat looking engine. I missed out on a couple of Wisconsin 2 cyls that I thought were interesting. Now I wish I had em for a Horse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ztnoo 2,299 #17 Posted October 30, 2018 I remember reading somewhere about the real problem which caused the lack of oil flow to the top end of the K361 OHV was the valve cover was not properly being vented. Found the reference after a bit of head scratching and Googling: "K361's lack of oil to the rockers and valves is because of a design flaw in the location of the crankcase breather. The top of the engine builds pressure therefore keeping the oil from reaching the top in sufficient quantities. It is a simple fix to get the oil up to the rockers. Block off the factory crankcase breather and install one in the aluminum valve cover on top of the engine. You will have to cut the factory valve cover to insert a breather. Once the top of the engine can breathe it will oil fine. Think of any other engine with overhead valves and where the crankcase breather is. Kohler really dropped the ball on this one." Post # 12, http://gardentractortalk.com/forums/topic/16803-kohler-k361-any-good/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris1055 106 #18 Posted October 31, 2018 When I pick up the engine and see how it runs. Maybe you guys can guide me in doing that to the breather. Doesn’t really sound complicated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TravelinJavelin 620 #19 Posted November 4, 2018 i believe those were only made from 1977 to 80 only specked one out on a 2418 economy tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
