Dr.D 9 #1 Posted January 14, 2020 Hello Guys My new to me 854 Kohler K181s is tired. So I started gathering parts for its a rebuild when I found-purchased a NOS K181s on Ebay. The replacement is on its way but I have a few questions about the swap. The NOS Kohler was manufactured in 1999 and my original Kohler in 1964. I get it... same block but a few differences. Should I strip the shroud, fly wheel, starter generator and the rest of the original to work into the new Kohler? Or should I swap oil pans, drop the new into the tractor and go. Would it be that easy if I did the latter? Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,069 #2 Posted January 15, 2020 Do you know if the NEW replacement engine has a 12 volt charging system? If so, if it were my tractor I would swap oil pans and buy a solenoid to get it back out on the yard. As time allowed I would rebuild the K-161 for future replacement. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,773 #3 Posted January 15, 2020 but I at loss to figure out why you couldn't have rebuilt the old motor???... plenty of parts available. End decision is do you want to stay orginal. Staying orginal is important to me unless building a custom or franken horse so I would swap to stay orginal... IMHO... BTW the 854 is a favored tractor here and every member should have one or three.... along with a 753, a 857, a 702... ! 2 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,815 #4 Posted January 15, 2020 Why are we swapping the oil pan again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,069 #5 Posted January 16, 2020 7 hours ago, pullstart said: Why are we swapping the oil pan again? On most applications the hold down bolts on the PTO side go into the bottom of the oil pan. Not so on other brands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,117 #6 Posted January 16, 2020 Don't think the 8 hp bolts from the bottom. But what do I know, done 3 or 4 of them and just can't remember. Get'n older sucks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,815 #7 Posted January 16, 2020 Yeah, I was thinking big blocks had hold downs from underneath, but not small blocks... I know I haven’t seen it all yet though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,773 #8 Posted January 16, 2020 I 39 minutes ago, wallfish said: Don't think the 8 hp bolts from the bottom. But what do I know, done 3 or 4 of them and just can't remember. Get'n older sucks! I'm in my night gown and to cold out... I ain't gonna go out and look.... hey @Racinbob... run down to the other shed and snap a few pics for doc! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,935 #9 Posted January 16, 2020 9 hours ago, WHX24 said: I I'm in my night gown and to cold out... I ain't gonna go out and look.... hey @Racinbob... run down to the other shed and snap a few pics for doc! Don't have to run down the hill anymore Jim. We're on flat land now. My 854 in pretty well tucked away till spring so I can't get a good picture but I can say that the small blocks don't have any bolts coming up from below. Just 4 bolts through the oil pan flanges. @Dr.D the swap will be bolt in save for maybe any electrical or control differences and I don't think there will be any of those either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #10 Posted January 16, 2020 15 minutes ago, Racinbob said: Don't have to run down the hill anymore Jim. We're on flat land now. My 854 in pretty well tucked away till spring so I can't get a good picture but I can say that the small blocks don't have any bolts coming up from below. Just 4 bolts through the oil pan flanges. @Dr.D the swap will be bolt in save for maybe any electrical or control differences and I don't think there will be any of those either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
