Bill D 2,255 #1 Posted July 24, 2019 I have a chance to pick up a couple of spare motors. One is a KT 17 Series 2 from a Bolens. The other is a 18 HP Briggs from a Craftsman II. Does anyone know if these motors can be adapted to Wheel Horse use? The KT has 957 hours but may have marginal compression on one cylinder. I saw a thread on here where a Briggs from a Craftsman was used to replace an engine on a GT1800. I know that if the Briggs doesn't have ball bearings I can't be used. Input is appreciated. Thanks. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,685 #2 Posted July 24, 2019 Do you have the spec number for the KT17?? that way we can figure out if it had a thrust bearing. Most KTs did not have the thrust bearing (cost extra) If it does not have it you can still use it but you will have to use an electric PTO. My sweepster C175 has a JD spec KT17 i had to use an electric PTO as in picture easy to do 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,194 #3 Posted July 25, 2019 Stick with the kohler! The series 2 is a good motor and not to bad to rebuild if need be. But i am not a briggs fan so im kinda partial. LOL 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #4 Posted July 27, 2019 First thing you need to check is if the crank is 3.5 inch’s and 1 1/8 diameter. Then check the bolt pattern in the pto side of the block. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AHS 1,546 #5 Posted July 29, 2019 On 7/25/2019 at 6:34 AM, bottjernat1 said: Stick with the kohler! The series 2 is a good motor and not to bad to rebuild if need be. But i am not a briggs fan so im kinda partial. LOL ^^^^^^^^^YUP!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,499 #6 Posted July 30, 2019 The Briggs most likely has ball bearings on the crank but I'd check this chart just to be sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 2,255 #7 Posted September 8, 2019 I finally got a spec number from the KT 17 on my neighbors Bolens. It's a KT17QS, Spec #24351. Anyone know if it has thrust bearings? Thanks. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,685 #8 Posted September 8, 2019 The Kohler site won't show me the parts listing for that spec. My downloaded file doesn't go to that high a spec number. However i am going to say no thrust bearing. Only 1 variation used the bearing. I did find an earlier Bolen spec number 24333 and it did not use the bearing so i doubt the one you are looking at did either. If the engine is in good shape and eh crank shaft is long enough just get an Electric PTO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
