Engine swap.

[Burnerman 759]

My son got a line on a used K321s for a fair price but will need a rebuild. Will a K321s big block fit in place of a K181 on a C85? It appears the engine cradle gets removed and the engine will get bolted directly to the frame. Is this correct? 

Also the dipstick on the 321 is under the starter. Is this engine worth installing or should we keep looking?

[953 nut 60,080]

32 minutes ago, Burnerman said:

Is this engine worth installing

The engine could be installed, testing will tell you whether or not it will be worth installing. Run it to see if there is any blue smoke or unusual noises. Perhaps do a leak-down test to see how tight the combustion chamber is. The oil pan probably doesn't have the threaded holes for frame mounting that a  would have on the PTO side but that can be handled with a coupe of "J" Bolts.

[oldredrider 2,553]

The output shaft needs to be the correct length and diameter to run a Horse PTO

[Pullstart 66,834]

1 hour ago, oldredrider said:

The output shaft needs to be the correct length and diameter to run a Horse PTO

 

Yeah, that is way too short to run the Wheel Horse pto...  and I’m not sure, but I believe only some variations of the K series engines are side load prepped?  Or are they all roller bearing cranks?

[peter lena 9,280]

that crank length is the issue, i would look for something that is a bolt in , otherwise you are going to repeat all your work. you could sell off this engine and concentrate on a newer type bolt in. the money you would spend to rebuild it could easily upgrade to a newer fresher  engine. if you found a 10/ 12 hp with 4 to 5 hundred hrs on it , you could easily recover it , (    freshen it up ) and you would be good, it would also bolt in and pto work. pete

[richmondred01 2,307]

That’s a gravely engine. The crank is too short however that can be swapped. Gravely machined the pto side of the block to form a circular ledge. That to can be shimmed to hold the wheel horse pto bracket. Also, the pan for the gravely don’t have the drilled and tapped holes for mounting. 

However, with all that said it can be done but is it worth it? 

I have a wheel horse spec k321 long block that has been completely rebuilt ( bored, crank ground, valves seats ground) that includes the pan and head. 

You can bolt up the gravely carb, starter, fuel pump, flywheel, coil, points, stater and sheet metal and be done and ready to install in 30 minutes. 

Or I have the complete ready to bolt on rebuilt k341.

Pm me if interested 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2019 by richmondred01

[pfrederi 18,689]

1 hour ago, pullstart said:

 

Yeah, that is way too short to run the Wheel Horse pto...  and I’m not sure, but I believe only some variations of the K series engines are side load prepped?  Or are they all roller bearing cranks?

 

 

All K series single had ball bearings on the crank and can handle WH PTO end loading.  It was some of the K twins that didn't have ball bearings.

[Burnerman 759]

Thanks all! I knew it wasn’t that easy lol. We’re going to keep on the lookout for a easy swap. We’re in no hurry and we’re gunna see how cheap we can keep it. 

All this engine talk has got me thinking I really need to rebuild my 78 k241. I have no idea how many hours are on it but I know I gave it a bunch of hard use.