Felt good to be knuckle deep in grease and grime. It's been a while. I got the cosmetic parts and the engine removed. Covered the important stuff and went at it with the pressure washer. Made space in the garage and now the long slow process of reviving this '74 h3 can begin.
Got a little start on the 140 today !
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14,606 Posts
Your pics look very "familiar". 
Looking forward to seeing your progress. Good luck with your project!:fing32:
Looking forward to seeing your progress. Good luck with your project!:fing32:
Engine shopping is happening, but saving the OT cash will take some time as things slow down this time of year.Maybe I'll get lucky and find something used- and take a chance on it.
So many ideas- Toying with the idea of foot control , possibly a diesel, I guess money and circumstance will dictate what happens and how :greendr:
So many ideas- Toying with the idea of foot control , possibly a diesel, I guess money and circumstance will dictate what happens and how :greendr:
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14,384 Posts
I took the oil pan off the k341 today and as expected , I found the connecting rod in several pieces. The crank journal is clean and smooth. The piston skirts look and feel undamaged and the lower end of the bore is all in nice shape. What little I can feel of the bore also seems nice and smooth.
Is there a way to know the cause of a rod failure ? It's broken at about the center, the cap end is shattered and of course the oil slinger is broken off. The wrist pin half is still connected to the piston.
I didn't have time to take the head off and pop the piston out yet- maybe tomorrow.
Is there a way to know the cause of a rod failure ? It's broken at about the center, the cap end is shattered and of course the oil slinger is broken off. The wrist pin half is still connected to the piston.
I didn't have time to take the head off and pop the piston out yet- maybe tomorrow.
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That's awesome!!! I'm starting in on mine this weekend! After work today I'm going home to mow grass one last time, then I'm going to begin my full restoration. I can't wait! Looking good!
I got the piston out today and it looks like this was rebuilt once with one of those import kits. I suspect the rod broke from age and fatigue. There are no hotspots to indicate lack of lubrication, the head had some carbon which might explain the gouges on the top edge of the piston, but he bore is clean and smooth- no crosshatching left. The piston thrust faces are quite worn so it's got lots of time on it. PO said it was burning oil when it blew. I still need to check the governor- it may have failed and caused overspeed. I will look into that further when time permits.
I'll probably rebuild it with an import kit and see what happens. looks like this kit lasted pretty well. I'll need to check the bore size and see if it can just be honed , but I'm thinking it will need a bore and have the valves done.
I'll probably rebuild it with an import kit and see what happens. looks like this kit lasted pretty well. I'll need to check the bore size and see if it can just be honed , but I'm thinking it will need a bore and have the valves done.
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14,606 Posts
Were the balance gears still in place when you opened the engine up?
Yes, they are in tact. That's another question, whether to leave them in or not.
I've read conflicting stories about the need to have the crank balanced if you remove them. ome say you must, some say it's not necessary. I'm thinking if the crank doesn't need machining I'll just leave them in.
I've read conflicting stories about the need to have the crank balanced if you remove them. ome say you must, some say it's not necessary. I'm thinking if the crank doesn't need machining I'll just leave them in.
After looking at more pictures, I think my piston may be a genuine Kohler part.
Do they cast Kohler in them anywhere? I found numbers that correspond to a Kohler part , but the first pictures I looked at were for the new style piston.
Do they cast Kohler in them anywhere? I found numbers that correspond to a Kohler part , but the first pictures I looked at were for the new style piston.
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14,606 Posts
I know, two schools of thought with the balance gears. And both make their points. I finally decided to leave mine in also.
I got to tearing the rest of the engine down today. I'm disappointed because I wanted to rebuild it for the fun of it, but there's no fixing this ! The rod shrapnel made scrap iron out of the block. I couldn't see the cracks until I removed the starter and cam inspection cover. Blew apart both sides. Looks like the governor failed and caused the grenade action- either that or the grenade action blew the governor gear apart. I guess I'll never know.
Anyway, I've got a 5 gallon bucket of K341 parts for cheap !
Anyway, I've got a 5 gallon bucket of K341 parts for cheap !
More progress today- I picked up a 317 fender pan , fuel tank and seat springs. A fine gentleman from Iowa brought them up here, on his way to pick up another machine. Now, I need to get a trans fill tube, site tube and cut a slot for it in the hitch plate. Anyone know the specs on the slot in the hitch plate ? Length width and how far up from the bottom ? I know where to get the parts, it's just not close enough to make a trip just for those. It would be on the way to get an engine though!! I just need to get the cash. I also need to fab some fender pan mounts. (where those bolted or welded on the 317's ?)
I've pretty much decided to go with a new 18hp Vanguard kit from Jim's. I'm looking forward to meeting him and seeing his shop, but it'll be a while.
I will probably order a grill soon and I'm thinking of making my own headlight panel after seeing what the asking prices are on those. I've got an idea for some LED lights I think might look good If I can pull off the fabrication part of it. Lot's of planning, not a lot of action !
I've pretty much decided to go with a new 18hp Vanguard kit from Jim's. I'm looking forward to meeting him and seeing his shop, but it'll be a while.
I will probably order a grill soon and I'm thinking of making my own headlight panel after seeing what the asking prices are on those. I've got an idea for some LED lights I think might look good If I can pull off the fabrication part of it. Lot's of planning, not a lot of action !
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