New member diving in

Hey everyone. I'm a new member of this forum. I'm also almost new to working on older mowers. My brother-in-law gave me his Original Cub Cadet with a 7hp Kohler engine. Unfortunately the the connecting rod had broken, damaging the block on the inside. I'm looking to either repair or replace this engine.

That all being said. My first question, probably of many, in this forum is to find out if the k161 from a Cub Cadet 70 will fit easily into an Original. I'm mainly concerned that the shaft heigh for the engine in the Original may not be the same as that for the 70.

I'm able to obtain a working motor from a 70 fairly cheap, so that seems like the most practical option if it will fit.

Once I get approved, I can go ahead and ask my question in the appropriate location, but I wanted to get it out there just in case.

- fizz