K321 rebuild

[mark in ny 27]

I'm restoring a c145 and the engine in it currently needs new rings at least. Got it running and have oil on top of the piston. So my thoughts are should I check the bore and replace the rings or just go ahead and have it rebuilt. Problem is I'm not exactly that mechanically inclined to do a full rebuild but wouldn't be a issue replacing piston rings. Anyone have a rough idea on rebuild cost? Or anyone close to the upstate ny area that knows of a good rebuild shop to drop it off? I'd be willing to drive a hr or 2 to drop it off. Thanks 

Edited May 25, 2020 by mark in ny

[ZXT 2,401]

8 minutes ago, mark in ny said:

I'm restoring a c145 and the engine in it currently needs new rings at least. Got it running and have oil on top of the piston. So my thoughts are should I check the bore and replace the rings or just go ahead and have it rebuilt. Problem is I'm not exactly that mechanically inclined to do a full rebuild but wouldn't be a issue replacing piston rings. Anyone have a rough idea on rebuild cost? Or anyone close to the upstate ny area that knows of a good rebuild shop to drop it off? I'd be willing to drive a hr or 2 to drop it off. Thanks 

We can't say what to do until you have it apart and measure the bore. If the bore is within spec and is round, it could take a re-ring. I've done many engines this way and can't say I've had an issue with any of them.

 

If the bore is out of spec, it'll obviously need machine work. That being said, if you tackled it yourself, a "full rebuild" shouldn't be much more difficult for you than a re-ring. You have to pull it most of the way apart to get the piston out to put new rings in it anyways. If you took it to a shop and had them turn the crank, bore it and do a valve job and you assemble it, I would say you'd probably be back running at half the price of having them to all of it. I think $800 would be in the ballpark for a shop to do all the work.

 

Or you could always contact @richmondred01. He sells rebuilt engines.

[squonk 43,821]

I haven't seen a Kohler yet with oil on the top of the piston that doesn't need to be bored.Where exactly do you live?

 

 

[richmondred01 2,307]

95% of my rebuilds need to be bored.

Edited May 25, 2020 by richmondred01

[mark in ny 27]

I'm outside of albany ny

[squonk 43,821]

That's downstate to me.  There are 3 or 4 machine shops in the Finger Lakes around me. Have you tried googling shops in the Albany area?

[squonk 43,821]

Universal Auto 900 Broadway Albany

[mark in ny 27]

ill be calling around tomorrow for sure. i know im not too far from the drag strip and lots of dirt tracks so with stimulus money i can see alot of shops being busy. I guess the only part that makes me nervous is the gears inside lining up. My brother has a engine guy that just built his duster motor ill probaby try him first.