vette10r 13 #1 Posted March 31, 2019 Its been awhile since I posted here. About 7 years ago my grandfather passed away and I inherited his 1977? Wheelhorse. A couple years ago while plowing the engine let go. I pulled the top off and I believe the connecting rod snapped. I can spin the flywheel by hand and valves seem to operate correctly but the piston is not moving. I googled and found rebuild kits for $224 but I have never rebuilt an engine before. I can feel a light groove on the cylinder wall and I'm not sure if that is ok or if it would need to be bored out? Also if it was bored out would the K181S rebuild kit work or would I need a larger piston? I've been looking a little for a used K181S that runs to just swap out but I'm not having any luck. I'm thinking rebuild is my best option? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,689 #2 Posted March 31, 2019 Download the K series single service manual in the manuals section here. Disassemble the engine. Then take the Block and crank shaft to a machine shop. They will measure it and tell you what oversize you need on the piston and what under you may need for the rod. They will turn the crank (if needed) and bore out/hone the cylinder. Around here that costs about $120 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,080 #3 Posted April 1, 2019 If you show some love to your grandfather's Wheel Horse it will repay you with many years of faithful service. Rebuilding the engine will cost more than a used one, but it will last several decades. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #4 Posted April 1, 2019 Just a tip - don't have any engine bored until the machine shop can have it in their hands before doing the work. Final bore sizing depends on the clearance to the piston, otherwise, you can end up with a rebuilt engine that has a lot of piston slap noise. Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,553 #5 Posted April 1, 2019 To expand on what Sarge said, a good machine shop needs the block and crank to see what needs to be done. Boring a cylinder has to be done by replacement piston size, which the shop will spec. They will need the piston they recommend before any boring is done as bore is determined by piston size. As far as the crank, the shop will measure it to see if it needs to be ground or not. This will determine whether a standard or oversize rod is needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vette10r 13 #6 Posted April 2, 2019 Can anyone help with locating the manual? I'm in the app version I believe and not having luck navigating or searching here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,553 #7 Posted April 2, 2019 Go to the Kohler web site and down load the manual for K series engines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vette10r 13 #8 Posted April 2, 2019 Thanks I found it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
