Kohler k301 sputters and dies

[Slightly Discombobulated 6]

I've got a 301k that idles great but sputters and dies when I increase the throttle. The carb is fresh and is currently set according to the kohler service manual. Points (.020), condensor, coil, and plug (.025)  are new. What am I missing??

 

[rmaynard 16,297]

Sounds like the main jet is clogged. Remove the main jet adjustment screw (top). The entire length of the screw is hollow. There are several tiny holes. Make sure all those holes are open and that you can pass air through the entire tube from bottom to top. Put it back in, adjust to the initial rough settings. Start and adjust as indicated in the manual.

[953 nut 59,968]

12 hours ago, Slightly D said:

The carb is fresh

By saying the carburetor is fresh do you mean it is new? If it is one of the new ones from China it is probably jetted wrong. Best off to rebuild the old one.

The gap on your ignition points also sets your ignition timing. Being off bu just a little bit can cause an issue.

Gapping the ignition points at .020 has always been the standard answer to how points should be set. That probably will get you into the ballpark where the engine will run, but with a bit of additional effort you can improve the engine’s power and performance.

The Kohler engine manual in the Red Square files section covers two methods for setting the ignition timing, Static Timing and using a Timing Light. This manual is a relatively new manual and it overlooks the fact that many of our engines were built prior to the ACR (automatic compression release) camshaft.

Earlier engines (mostly 1965 and earlier) had a Spark Advance camshaft that can not be timed using Static timing. At rest (and very low RPMs) the timing is retarded to fire slightly after TDC. The timing mark (SP) on your flywheel is at twenty degrees before top dead center but at rest the points on these engines break about ten degrees after top dead center. The only reliable way to check or set the timing on these engines is with a timing light.