Topic: ? about kohler single twin cam (non racing application)

[Mp350]

Looking to buy a new mower to take care of the yard and one mower has the Kohler 17hp single with twin cams on it. I know alot of guys on here work with mowers on a daily basis, is this a good motor,does it have  any issues? And how would it compare to a 14 Kawasaki single OHV, that's whats on my current mower? Thanks

[MowJoe]

It sounds like the Kohler Courage engine I worked on a few no major problems yet just some oil leaks and carb cleans it looks to be a good motor they have been out for awhile.

[Caseracer]

There must have been an issue with the Courage engines in the beginning because Melco has had a ton of them dirt cheap on Ebay advertised as "non-working".  I bought one to tinker with and possibly build for C/P.  The one I bought for around $50 would start and run but it smoked.  I tore it down and the piston was very loose in the bore.  I thought they may have a piston wear issue.  All of the engines had the old style cowling so they must have been the earliest production models.  I haven't seen any newer ones.  I was very impressed with the way the engine was built.  All parts seemed to be alot beefier than a comparable Briggs.

Jack Jones
Hard Case Racing

[Mp350]

Thanks Guys.

[badboysracing]

has anyone ut there used this for a c/p motor cause i think they would be wicked fast.

[Caseracer]

I've heard there a couple guys running them but I don't know if they were built.  They present a couple challenges. There are no parts built for them so they wouldn't be cheap to build up.  The head design and valves have alot of potenial and it starts out at 36 cu in.  Boring and sleeving it to 40 inches is not a problem.  I have been playing with one to see what it would involve.  The cams use plastic gears and have cam followers instead of lifters.  I still haven't got it all worked out but maybe someday.

Jack Jones
Hard Case Racing

[Old Goat]

There's an old fart from Culpepper (I won't mention any names) that has one in his pro-x. He has it geared pretty high so that the motor doesn't turn many rpm's. That thing has all kinds of torque at the lower rpm's and pulls real hard out of the turns, and it just keeps on pulling right down the straight.