Krazy 70s Kohler K321s, 14 h.p.!!!!!

[Fuddy1952]

This makes no sense to me:
I have my Grandfather's Economy Power King he bought new, mid 1970s. It was hard to start (slow crank speed) so I replaced battery with a 650 CCA one. Kohler 321 one cylinder, 14hp. Throttle wide open, battery measures 12.5v. I take battery back, they load test, etc, checks perfect. I have a late model Hyundai Accent, swap batteries, same thing. Stator checks ok, 22.6vac at idle, goes up 26vac higher rpm. Today I replaced diode/regulator module. Same results!!! 12.56vdc max! Cleaned all terminals and connections, same thing. I even ran clip lead battery--neg to module case (ground) then battery +pos to yellow output to ign switch...same thing.
I have a late 70s Cub Cadet, same motor. It has a small lawn mower battery, 12.7v...then motor at idle 13.5 up to 14.2v w.o.t.
Once running, it has plenty of power, doesn't smoke, pulls hills high gear. I thought I'd check compression...25 p.s.i. Thinking I had defective gauge I used another...25 p.s.i.
I checked other motor and 110 p.s.i. both gauges.
1) what the heck is going on with charging system?!
2) how can it run with 25 psi compression?!
I have a leak-down tester I'll try tomorrow, seeing why compression is low.
Any ideas...thanks!

 

[5030]

The Kohler compression release is giving you an erroneous reading.

 

[sd455dan]

YEP and or the other one broke the small wire spring that allows decompression so the starter or generator /starter can roll the engine thru the 1st few compression strokes. Have the same 14 HP model in a golf cart and it is a slow cranker because the spring broke and it works the genny starter hard until it is running

this shows how it should hold the exhaust valve open until RPM increase

 

[5030]

Nothing sounds sweeter than a K series Kohler at isle either.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Thanks. I'll check into the ACR issue. I have all the manuals Grandad had for it, one shows Kohler exploded view.
I'm beginning to think the charging issue may be because I used too hefty a battery?
Originally it came with a top post car-like battery. Manual says it has 15 amp output stator. Since other Kohler puts out 14v charging maybe it should have a low CCA battery.
I had no clue 70's motors had a compression release.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Nothing sounds sweeter than a K series Kohler at isle either.

Yes, and although I don't have a tachometer on it, it can idle way down. Downhill I'll cut ignition off (Jake brake)...the band brakes I assume it has aren't much.