Hacksawhero123 351 #1 Posted March 24, 2019 Afternoon Gents. Good news from the machine shop today. 30 overbore on the piston and 10 under on the crank, new valves and guides, and I’m all set. My question is “has anyone used the $150 master rebuild kits from eBay?” Are they quality or junk? Any suggestions on where to source the quality parts? Thanks for the help! Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,695 #2 Posted March 24, 2019 I got a set on order now and have used them before in th past with good results. Since I am such a cheap penny pincher I get my engine parts from who has got the best deals. Top favs being I save tractors, Pats Small Engine Plus.Com or fleabay. Spread the wealth so to speak. Thing is with some of the "kits" they might offer components that you don't need or don't offer some of the things you do. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,756 #3 Posted March 24, 2019 I have seen lots of NOS Kohler engine parts on but the prices are kind of high. Many of us have had good results from the aftermarket kits. If you intend to make a living with this engine then go Kohler. If it will be used with TLC like most of ours the aftermarket sets are the way to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hacksawhero123 351 #4 Posted March 24, 2019 The fella at isavetractors seems to have a decent kit at a fair price. I’m looking at about $330. Hopefully, he sells a decent quality piston and rod. I’m sure I won’t get lucky next time something goes bad in the block. Thanks for your input, Gents. Mark. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,695 #5 Posted March 24, 2019 Or if you are a pro puller with 50K top prize coin on the line go for OEM parts. They are quite available but will cut into the prize monies. If you are just a hobbyist or simply want to mow your lawn aftermarket (read Chinese) will work just fine. I don't know about the TLC thing Richard ..we beat the snot outta the plow tractors and most have evil bay parts in them. No problems...just keep your oil and your colon clean! You got any doubts Hack Saw give Norm at I save a call. It knows his crap and will help you out. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,412 #6 Posted March 24, 2019 9 hours ago, Hacksawhero123 said: fella at isavetractors I've never bought anything from him but I've spoken to him personally by voice and email. He's a great guy and quite bright. Most important.... He sells NO junk. He is really trying to do the right thing by these garden tractors and also he doesn't want to deal with returned parts any more than you or I would. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,355 #7 Posted March 24, 2019 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: I've never bought anything from him but I've spoken to him personally by voice and email. He's a great guy and quite bright. Most important.... He sells NO junk. He is really trying to do the right thing by these garden tractors and also he doesn't want to deal with returned parts any more than you or I would. The items sold by IST are said to be quality matched to American made parts. Norman offers warranties and is reachable by phone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ET160 30 #8 Posted April 11, 2019 On 3/23/2019 at 8:08 PM, Hacksawhero123 said: Afternoon Gents. Good news from the machine shop today. 30 overbore on the piston and 10 under on the crank, new valves and guides, and I’m all set. My question is “has anyone used the $150 master rebuild kits from eBay?” Are they quality or junk? Any suggestions on where to source the quality parts? Thanks for the help! Mark Just curious.... How much did the machine shop work cost? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #9 Posted April 11, 2019 Mic all your after market parts prior to any machine work...... i have seen after market parts sold from the aftermentioned companies way off. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #10 Posted April 11, 2019 On 3/24/2019 at 4:54 AM, ebinmaine said: I've never bought anything from him but I've spoken to him personally by voice and email. He's a great guy and quite bright. Most important.... He sells NO junk. He is really trying to do the right thing by these garden tractors and also he doesn't want to deal with returned parts any more than you or I would. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,695 #11 Posted April 11, 2019 4 hours ago, ET160 said: Just curious.... How much did the machine shop work cost? Keep you posted I have one there right now. I told him to be kind as just a hobbyist and I pay cash. Usually the setup work is what adds to the cost. 2 hours ago, richmondred01 said: Mic all your after market parts prior to any machine work...... i have seen after market parts sold from the aftermentioned companies way off. I turn them over to the machine shop and he measures. He's probably got way better yardsticks than I have as he also does race engines. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,412 #12 Posted April 11, 2019 4 minutes ago, WHX22 said: yardsticks Jim I'm thinking that maybe if you're measuring your engine bore with a yardstick you should probably update your available tools. Just a little. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #13 Posted April 11, 2019 Here in Richmond the price to bore is 85.00 and to turn the crank it's 75.00. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,634 #14 Posted April 12, 2019 Just paid $75 bore and hone .010 over and $45 to grind /polish crank .010 under in Scranton PA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hacksawhero123 351 #15 Posted April 19, 2019 My machine shop guy is always neck deep in work. I’m hoping this week he gets to my stuff. I’ll keep you all posted. Thanks, Gents. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,695 #16 Posted April 19, 2019 Just got mine back and the guy is swamped but I pay cash and that helps. A Franklin to go 20 over and 10 under & fresh up valve seats. When I saw how much automotive stuff he has to do I says get more help. He laughed... Guess kids don't want to get in this line of work or with talent and are willing to learn are impossible to find so shops that do this are going to get rare. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #17 Posted April 19, 2019 17 minutes ago, WHX22 said: Just got mine back and the guy is swamped but I pay cash and that helps. A Franklin to go 20 over and 10 under & fresh up valve seats. When I saw how much automotive stuff he has to do I says get more help. He laughed... Guess kids don't want to get in this line of work or with talent and are willing to learn are impossible to find so shops that do this are going to get rare. A good machinist is harder to find then a honest politician. The younger generation can’t get their hands dirty because that would soil their cell phone. 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt-NEPA 755 #18 Posted April 19, 2019 On 4/12/2019 at 10:19 AM, pfrederi said: Just paid $75 bore and hone .010 over and $45 to grind /polish crank .010 under in Scranton PA Who did you use in Scranton? I've been looking for somebody that does small engine work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,634 #19 Posted April 19, 2019 25 minutes ago, Kurt-NEPA said: Who did you use in Scranton? I've been looking for somebody that does small engine work. SWU Automotive Birney Ave in Moosic (Near Air Brake) http://swuengineshop.com/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt-NEPA 755 #20 Posted April 19, 2019 43 minutes ago, pfrederi said: SWU Automotive Birney Ave in Moosic (Near Air Brake) http://swuengineshop.com/ Thanks, I'll give them a try. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites