Advice sought on k321

**iko** · 12-30-2020, 06:16 PM

Hi all,
I need some help. I got a 224 with a k321 that's already .030 and smoking quite a bit, though it measures fine (cylinder inners specs). So some of you said the guy before me who tried to rebuild the engine most likely put the rings on the piston incorrectly.

So I got a new set of rings and was planning to pull the engine out, cross hatch the cylinder, put the new rings on properly, and have an awesome Kohler for the next 20 years.

However, now I'm thinking, if I pull the engine out, why not get a block that's at STD, get a 0.010 rebuild kit and have the engine for life?

The big unknown to me is, locally to Toronto, Caledon, Barrie, can I find a reliable shop to do the machining on the block for me, at a reasonable price?

**bigman** · 12-30-2020, 07:28 PM

HI iko

You have a seasoned motor already that needs reworked

Why look for another one there not that easy to find and when ya do it's BIG $ BUCKS $

Taking it out will give you a little more power I would think, I love my Kohler powered tractors

Also you could change out the rings first you may get lucky.

Just saying

bigman

**dundee222** · 12-30-2020, 09:01 PM

If it's 30 over and as you say the bore measures good, why are you thinking a 10 over bore engine is going to be better? 30 thou is well within design specs [if it was done properly] and will last just as long as any other bore size. The slight increase in power is rarely a turnoff in most peoples books too.

**iko** · 12-30-2020, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by dundee222

If it's 30 over and as you say the bore measures good, why are you thinking a 10 over bore engine is going to be better? 30 thou is well within design specs [if it was done properly] and will last just as long as any other bore size. The slight increase in power is rarely a turnoff in most peoples books too.

I'll last, as you say, but then when it's done, no more boring.

**dundee222** · 12-30-2020, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by iko

I'll last, as you say, but then when it's done, no more boring.

IF and IF you wear it out in 20 years or so, that is long enough to find another engine at a good price, or if you really in love with this one, for a couple 100$ I can have is sleeved, and a steel sleeve will wear even longer!

**Dan444** · 12-31-2020, 12:13 PM

There is a 40 thou kit out there as well. May not be available by the time your 30 is ready for it..

**iko** · 12-31-2020, 01:29 PM

My understanding is that the 40 thou over is not a really good idea for this engine.

I'm leaning towards the std block going 10 thou over, new rebuild kit, and have a like new engine there. I'm so tired of getting smoked out by my tractors. I love the power of my 446 but hate using it even for a couple of minutes because of the exhaust stench in my clothes and skin. The 224 at the moment is even worse. It'd be nice to have a clean running, strong engine!

**dundee222** · 12-31-2020, 03:13 PM

So your 30 over present block needs reboring?

**iko** · 12-31-2020, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by dundee222

So your 30 over present block needs reboring?

Measured the cylinder 3.533

I was hoping for a little lower wear but...

manual says 3 thou is max wear.

I was watching a std block from a 224 on ebay but didn't know what machining would cost locally. Eugene pointed me to Mike and the cost is acceptable so I pulled the trigger on the block. No going back now, full rebuild 10 over.