14 horsepower Kohler question

[Hawghauler]

Sometimes the cylinder walls wear before the rings, might need a slight bore and an oversized piston. If that is the case you can have cylinder bored using the oversized piston as a reference guide. You may be able to get away with lapping the valves with valve grind compound and one of those suction cup sticks you twiddle between your hands. I always liked the crankshafts on a Kohler, they are overbuilt to such a degree they look like a bigblock Chevy. It will be a fun bonding session. Make sure you give us updates. Very rewarding breathing new life into an old friend.

 

[Donsyl]

I am gonna bring the motor down to a guy 2 miles away to see if he can bore the cylinder. If not ill have to ask around. i dont understand the lapping the vavles, but ill have to read up on it.......thanks

 

[Hawghauler]

I am gonna bring the motor down to a guy 2 miles away to see if he can bore the cylinder. If not ill have to ask around. i dont understand the lapping the vavles, but ill have to read up on it.......thanks

The valve lapper looks like a stick with a suction cup on it. (cost just a few bucks)You put valve grind compound on the valve seat, stick the valve back in with the suction cup stuck to the valve face. Rolling the stick between your hands you will get the back and forth motion on the valve (like trying to start a fire with a stick) that grinds the valve seat against the valve and polishes the two touching surfaces to achieve a clean fit.

 

[Donsyl]

Okay i understand that now, but how do i know if they need to be replaced or lapped.....what is the difference between lapping and replacement?

 

[Donsyl]

Dont know if i put my last post right.....what makes a valve a lapping candidate as opposed to being a candidate for replacement....thanks

 

[Travelover]

Dont know if i put my last post right.....what makes a valve a lapping candidate as opposed to being a candidate for replacement....thanks

Look at the face (angled part) of the valve. If it is burned or has a deep ring it needs to be ground or replaced. Similarly, if the valve seat in the block is burned it needs to be recut with a special tool. You will need to set the clearance between the valve stem and the cam follower when you are done. A manual will have this clearance listed as part of the specifications.