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Kohler K241 10 HP to a 14 HP???

15 years ago

I am in the middle of rebuilding my 10 HP Kohler. I have done some research on the motor and it appears that the same gasket set fits the K241 (10 HP), K301 (12 HP), and the K321 (14 HP). All three models, from what I can tell, also use the same carb. Because the cylinder is egg shaped I need to have it bored. I am considering picking up a crank shaft for a 12 or a 14 HP and upgrading my HP. It appears as though I would just have to have the cylinder bored out a little more. The main reason I began to consider this is that the block has K301 molded on to it which leads me to believe that it was more or less a universal block. Does anyone have any input or experience in doing this.

Thanks

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Comments (5)

canguy
15 years ago
I hope you have deep pockets, parts for the K series engines are scarce and expensive.If I remember correctly, the 241/301 shared a block, the 321/341 were physically bigger to accommodate the larger bore. Boring your block to fit the 14 hp piston may lead to problems with stress and heat dissipation.
orcharddrudge
Original Author
15 years ago
Last night I miced the out side of the bore skirt, where it hangs down into the middle of the block and determined that boring it out to accomodate the 3.5" 14 HP pistion may not be a good idea for the same reasons you mentioned. However the 12 HP pistion may work out ok. I just need to find a good used crank shaft.

Thank you for your input

kw
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rcmoser
15 years ago
Here's some things to think about and IMO Kolher anything are expensive, either way you go it going to cost unless you can find Gold on Ebay. Usually one has the parts available and don't have to buy the rotating parts other than a piston)

I would review the spec's (I don't know them) see how much bigger the 12 HP bore vs the 14 Hp bore and review the crank throw. to see where the extra hp is made up. If you have access to a boring machine and have parts to retrofit it then the cost wouldn't be so steep. I would think that block would take .030 to .060 over bore providing the 12 hp piston will fit the bore.

usually to go from 10 to 14 HP there maybe overbore and throw on the crank. usually throw on the crank amounts to about 1/4" or less. But, you have to review the spec's on each engine to find out the differences in bore. throw, and wristpin height.

Also if the crank throw is different will it fit you 10 HP block without machining??????? Or you maybe able to cut a 12 HP piston down to fit the egg shaped block after you squared it up???.
orcharddrudge
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the input, I will see what I can find...for cheap!

Thanks again,

kw
DYT4000
15 years ago
Bear in mind that if you rebuild the Kohler, you'll probably get another 30-40 years out of it. Master rebuild kits only cost about $125.00. I would rebuild it...few have the torque curve of the old "K" series Kohlers. You'll see them at all the tractor pulls.

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