bellevillerod 834 #26 Posted April 10, 2020 Well I guess electric clutch is the way to go. I do have a older bolens that need a repower. Had an hh140 in it. Has the tiller, blade, deck and hydro. See if I can stuff this under it's hood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,382 #27 Posted April 11, 2020 Here are a few shots of the carburetor from my M18 that I repowered my 520H with. Hopefully this will help. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellevillerod 834 #28 Posted April 11, 2020 thank you very close to what I came up with. Won't know if mine will work until I get it running on a tank. But now I know how it is supposed to be like. Need to look up that long armed spring really could use that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellevillerod 834 #29 Posted April 14, 2020 (edited) Well I got her hooked up today and she fired right up. I had pulled the carb off a couple of days ago and cleaned it real good. After I made this video, and I know I need more work on these. I went and bought a cheap oil pressure gauge and hooked it up. At an idle she is reading 50psi on the oil. No leaks that I can see, but it has only ran a total of maybe 10 min. Had 40mph winds today and had to leave the barn door open to run, blowing crap all over. So tomorrow if the weather permits I will run it up to temp and set the carb. Then check for any concerns. So far it looks like a winner, I will do a complete breakdown of everything i did. I bought parts I ended up not needing so all in it is well under 100.00 M18_first_run_(1).mp4 Edited April 14, 2020 by bellevillerod 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,114 #30 Posted April 21, 2020 Glad it worked out. i happened to pickup a Magnum twin Vertical shaft service manual..it is different than the Horizontal version In the manual section here. I always figured the engines were very similar. i was a bit surprised at one thing I stumbled over. Horizontal use RV17YC plugs gapped at .035 Vertical shaft RV15YC gapped at .025..... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,369 #31 Posted April 21, 2020 On 4/13/2020 at 8:51 PM, bellevillerod said: Well I got her hooked up today and she fired right up. I had pulled the carb off a couple of days ago and cleaned it real good. After I made this video, and I know I need more work on these. I went and bought a cheap oil pressure gauge and hooked it up. At an idle she is reading 50psi on the oil. No leaks that I can see, but it has only ran a total of maybe 10 min. Had 40mph winds today and had to leave the barn door open to run, blowing crap all over. So tomorrow if the weather permits I will run it up to temp and set the carb. Then check for any concerns. So far it looks like a winner, I will do a complete breakdown of everything i did. I bought parts I ended up not needing so all in it is well under 100.00 M18_first_run_(1).mp4 When you get a chance give us your version of parts and labor write up to go horizontal ... I commend you on a job well done and thanks for sharing. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellevillerod 834 #32 Posted April 22, 2020 7 hours ago, pfrederi said: Horizontal use RV17YC plugs gapped at .035 Vertical shaft RV15YC gapped at .025..... I picked up the RV17YC plugs for the engine, gapped at .030. I saw that when I was going for the tune up kit on the engine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermie 0 #33 Posted April 27, 2021 (edited) I am trying to fix my mothers ford gt85. This pulley is off the front of the Kohler M18 it drives the belt for the deck. I can not find a replacement even in the parts microfiche. Can someone give me an idea of where to find one or does anyone have a used one? It looks like the hub wore off. Thanks Edited April 27, 2021 by hermie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Too many horses 8 #34 Posted December 30, 2023 1990 Magnum 18 I am about to rebuild this engine to install on my 417-A that broke a rod. I see a couple guys suggesting that it MUST have the Torrington bearing on the crank for the PTO. I need more info as to why this is believed because I disagree. The crank in the M18 has a thrust washer on the PTO end and the crank face on the flywheel end is induction hardened. When the PTO on a WH is engaged the crank is pushed towards the flywheel side of the engine which does not have the Torrington bearing. If you disagree please explain why so that I can learn from your knowledge and/or experience. Thanks in advance! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,870 #35 Posted December 30, 2023 Side load probably. Like from the heavy side loads generated from the drive belt and attachment belts is my guess why a full ball bearing would be better than a thrust washer. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,381 #36 Posted December 30, 2023 11 hours ago, Too many horses said: 1990 Magnum 18 I am about to rebuild this engine to install on my 417-A If the M18 is from a Wheel Horse you are good to go. If not you can put in the spec. numbers of both engines and see if the bearing are the same. https://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/bearingsbushings-bearings-c-781_271_250/ Since you will be going from a battery powered ignition system to a magneto ignition you will want to install a kill relay and leave the rest of your wiring as is. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 10,522 #37 Posted December 30, 2023 12 hours ago, Too many horses said: The crank in the M18 has a thrust washer on the PTO end and the crank face on the flywheel end is induction hardened The “bearing debate” comes down to the sideways (axial) force as you surmise. A thrust washer will simply not give the same service as either a thrust bearing or a full caged ball bearing when handling significant axial loading. The WH PTO plate clutch applies a lot of axial load. The hardened shaft only matters if using needle bearings or thrust bearings since ball bearings have their own races. As a comparison, look at WH models that used Tecumseh engines with electric or belt-tensioning PTO clutches. They had no significant axial load on the engine, so they didn’t need the extra expense of ball or thrust bearings. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,114 #38 Posted December 30, 2023 The thrust bearing that WH paid extra for from Kohler is on the Flywheel side. (I doubt they woudl do that if it wasn't needed...very very few Magnum 18 have the thrust bearing) When you engage the PTO you are trying to push the crank out the flywheel side of the block. Withe the standard sleeve bearing there is only a thin lip to resist side loading. You can see the radial needle bearing and hardened thrust washers in these pics. Good luck on your rebuild i did mine and wouold not do it again... too expensive. Some over/underparts are hard to find and machine shop work is pricey ... two of everything. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 10,522 #39 Posted December 30, 2023 Excellent pictures showing the thrust bearing and races. Clarifies why it is an extra expense when making the engine and why it is on the flywheel side! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Too many horses 8 #40 Posted December 31, 2023 Pfrederi- you are a lifesaver!!! My 17 has been apart for so long that my thrust bearing and washer made it onto the wrong end of the crankshaft. I would have eventually found out but it would have been too late. I am so glad that I swallowed my pride and came to the forum seeking more info. I owe you one!!! Happy Wheeling in 2024- Joe 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Too many horses 8 #41 Posted December 31, 2023 Magnum 18 Torrington bearing retrofit. Took the crank to work today and machined .253” off the thrust surface at the flywheel end of the crankshaft. Most of the time was to make sure the indicated runout was less than .001” With the crank in the block there is .009” end play now. Thanks to all that replied to my inquiry! Joe 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BESTDOGEVER 217 #42 Posted March 1 I used a vertical doner engine to replace the cylinders and pistons on my m18 as well as the flywheel and numerous other parts. That 100 dollar spare saved me probably 6 to 8 times that . Part it out it will save numerous other engines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
