520H repower with Kohler

[Goldnboy 1,035]

I have a 520H close by  for $250 with the engine supposedly running on 1 Cylinder. Would I have any issues other ther than the key switch if I put in freshly rebuilt K321 in?

[JAinVA 4,638]

I ran a 16 horse Kohler on one of my 520 tractors for a year or so.The engine crankshaft sat about 3/4" lower than the Onan.What I found was that it effectively made the drive belt longer and it rubbed together at the idler pulley.I put a new belt on thinking the original might be stretched but it rubbed as well.I reinstalled the original and after a year it looked like a serpentine belt.Flat!You may not have this problem but it couldn't hurt to check.Any swept axle 520 is worth $250,running or not in my opinion.

Edited June 27, 2019 by JAinVA

[roadapples 6,983]

  with gear reduction steering worth even more...

[Lee1977 7,232]

2 hours ago, JAinVA said:

I ran a 16 horse Kohler on one of my 520 tractors for a year or so.The engine crankshaft sat about 3/4" lower than the Onan.What I found was that it effectively made the drive belt longer and it rubbed together at the idler pulley.I put a new belt on thinking the original might be stretched but it rubbed as well.I reinstalled the original and after a year it looked like a serpentine belt.Flat!You may not have this problem but it couldn't hurt to check.Any swept axle 520 is worth $250,running or not in my opinion.

When I put the Briggs Vanguard on my C-120 I raised the engine 3/4" up to the height of the Kolher and kept running the stock belts. On the 520  the engine plate is already there just add a couple of 3/4 thick x 2" steel flats on top and mount the engine.

[ZXT 2,401]

I'd buy it in a heart beat. After I got it home, I'd pull the head off of the "dead" side and see what the deal was before I wrote it off. Heck, it may just have a bad coil or plug... You never know.

[bds1984 1,501]

I see no reason to not use the K321 if you need to.  You can re-use all the gauges except the vacuum gauge which is great to have.  With a K321 in it, you effectively have a 14hp hyrdo with would be like a 314 auto or C141 auto.  I re-powered my 520H with an M18 de-tuned to 15hp (it was out of a Cub Cadet) and has plenty of power to do any chore I throw at it.