How to Install Balance Gears in your Kohler K Series Engines

[@NilsKall]

Very hard to film this but you did a great job. As a teacher for car mecanics i try to find videos and animations because it is much easier to understand when you see it like this. Hope you sell a lot of parts to people watching this!Regards Nils

[@Isavetractors]

Yes this was challenging to film. I may try my hand at learning an animation software to show this kind of stuff in the future.

[@NilsKall]

Good intention but I would guess that a lot of time would be needed for that. Tried Solid Edge back in school and while I managed to “construct” a hedge pruners it was far from easy. I have a animation of the BMW Valvetronic and Vanos system used in their small 1.5 liter gasoline engine. It is great! You can adjust engine speed, valve overlapping and intake valve lift. Also you can rotate the engine the way you want it and choose to have the cylinder head visible or invisible. I can’t imagine the effort to make such an animation.

[@paulg444]

Put those balance gears on the book shelf where they can do no harm.

[@ethrwilj]

Agreed!

[@slufoot733]

Very informative video. I saved this one for future reference for when I rebuild my K532. Thanks.

[@sbiwpo]

Hi Norman, counting the lands on the balance gear you say to mark the 7'th land, but in the video you tap your pen six times on the balance gear and mark the 6th land, not the 7'th?

[@waynew2831]

Wow I have been looking for this video for years. FINALLY ! Thanks

[@billsafreed9982]

I'm going to hit you up for some parts for my K181 in a CC 86 when I get to that project. Too many other fall projects right now. Thanks for the instructional vids!

[@Isavetractors]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@ronfritz3090]

I see a lot of videos saying to remove the counter weights and throw them away. They call them grenade gears. What do you recommend doing with them?

[@sojournsojourntraveler1203]

Do you have any video on the cam shaft ? My shaft to actuate my points is not moving . Please let me know soon . Thank you

[@stevenrasmussen23]

So I have the old style balance gears. Is the process the same with the old style just a little different gear? Thanks.

[@emilioledesma1858]

Hey! Thank you saved my job, greetings from México!

[@josem.2909]

Emilio Ledesma hey amigo tienes algun motor Kholer de esos años?, que bien!!

[@michaelbaskinmichael9862]

I have a k532 kohler 20 hp i dont see them in mine at all, i have a problem when i replaced pistons after i broke a connecting rod. It hits the cover with cam shaft gear ,but found out can adjust end play with rear cover which i cant seem to remove. But anyway ehat am i missing do piston go in any order like numbers up or down does it matter. Thanks alot

[@will7its]

Your engine doesn't have them, Google a repair manual for kohler twins to see how pistons go in.

[@michaelbaskinmichael9862]

@@will7its I didn't see nothing on reference to install a certain way ,thought they might of wore in on one cylinder and I put it in backwards to where it was. But thanks I very intrigued to learn more don't think it's over, end play wasn't good then it better but runs terrible ,starts good but runs like bent cam.

[@will7its]

@@michaelbaskinmichael9862 Could be a condenser or the timing, Good luck

[@michaelbaskinmichael9862]

Idk for sure but even when I crank it over the flywheel sounds like bent or not on right ,but I checked . It must be a piston or wrist pin.

[@stephenhrobak3631]

You did your homework for this video. Super job ! And great camera work.

[@Isavetractors]

Thank you!

[@georgesabol459]

@@Isavetractors Hello, do you have any of the 4hp kohler engines for sale. I believe a k 60. Complete, or not, running or not. Thanks in advance. George.

[@FradyKatt]

do the Old style install in the same manner????? u said video is for new style. Just wondered..

[@Isavetractors]

Old style is installed a different way. Sorry no video of that yet.

[@JohnSmith-yn8pl]

Please add a still photo of the balance weights with the crank throw at bottom dead center. That may be more easy to see if the weights position is correct.

[@C-M-E]

Finally got that 214 today and it does indeed have a locked up engine. Per chance, what would lead up to having to replace a balance gear? Yes, I'm eyeballing your master rebuild kit right now. 😁

[@aaronw447]

No need to replace balance gears, just bearings as needed. The new balance gears do a better job balancing the engine (removing vibrations); optional upgrade. Some engines have had the balance gears removed by incompetent or lazy techs, leading to a lot of vibrations. In this case, get new balance gears during rebuild, and thank Norm.

[@willyck948]

By any chance you know off hand what year and horsepower kohler started using balance gears?

[@josem.2909]

Willy Ck look it up in the manual, if l remember wells they begun using balance gear after k301 engines

[@CantKillMe]

my 72 has them in it

[@greenyellafella3777]

I may have to get with you on parts for my Kohler J D 316 it runs fine but tries to come out of the tractor at start and kill lower idle. I've heard they kick but it's a bit much. Thanks for the teaching videos.

[@Isavetractors]

green&yella fella your engine in your tractor should definitely not feel like its going to buck out of the tractor. Your 316 even has rubber engine mounts to further help tame vibration. Something may be wrong. Call our office and ask to speak with me and I can help you through it

[@mikem9821]

I bought some parts from your website, great quality and super fast delivery! I had a question tho. When rebuilding a k341 are the balance gears necessary? I have read that they can be left out, without any serious consequences to the motor. What would your opinion be?

[@Isavetractors]

I just wrote an article on this subject for Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine. I will be publishing to our website next week. In short, yes keep them but check end play, and needle bearings before doing so.

[@brentboggs868]

@@Isavetractors Link to article?

[@brentrussell780]

​@Isavetractors the only reason someone would recommend keeping these gears in a K series, is if they were selling parts for them. Poor advice Norman

[@frankignasiak4838]

Are you going to do a video on the compression release on the cam shaft? Like how it should work, I think on mine it might be stuck releasing.

[@Isavetractors]

Sure, it would be a simple video. You can download a service manual on our website: isavetractors.com/service-manuals/ There is a good illustration of it.

[@workinalday4351]

Can you just cut the Grenade Gears out with a grinder? I don't want to put balance gears back in my K321 I just want to remove them. Can I do this without removing the Cam Shaft? Thanks.

[@brentrussell780]

What kind of simpleton uses a grinder inside an engine so he doesn't have to take it fully apart? It will be full of grinding dust you dumb dumb

[@waynew2831]

I have a question regarding my Kohler K321S on my MF14 garden tractor. I had the motor rebuilt at a small engine shop 2 years ago. They replaced many parts, including the dipstick. The Kohler manual calls for 2 quarts of oil for an oil change. If I put in 2 quarts it reads well over full. I have to remove about 4 ounces. I'm torn. I don't know whether to rely on the dipstck, or simply put in 2 quarts, and let the oil line fa;; where it may. Thanks in advance for any help.

[@Isavetractors]

They certainly could have put the wrong dipstick in it. If your manual calls for 2 quarts stick with 2 quarts and move the Mark's on the dipstick. 2 quarts is pretty standard for the deep oil pans.

[@josem.2909]

Wayne W hi, sir could you please tell me a little bit about the process of taking your engine to a small engine shop for a rebuild, did they order the parts off Norman's website and they did all the boring and reground the crank shaft etc., because l really wanna save a K301 but after reading a lot cant do it myself and don't have all the tools, l rather to take it to a shop, but l need a trustworthy shop, l wish l could do it myself, those older engines are sweet!, please any info will be really appreciated

[@josem.2909]

Wayne W l also have K321 in a 1978 wheel horse automatic and for now it works and sound good, but l know it definitely will need some work some day in the future.

[@kenziebug12345ify]

How does it differ if using old style gears?

[@showersw]

I have a quick ? I have a Kohler k341AQS that had a bad crank I found a Kohler K341A with good crank. The K341A had two balance gears like this video an upper and a lower. The crank is the same I've asked on kohler forums. My ? is that the Kohler K341AQS doesn't have those balance gears just the camshaft and the Crankshaft. Do I time it the same way minus aligning the balance gears as there isn't any on the K341AQS block. Basically wondering how I time this without the balance gears any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

[@Isavetractors]

Yes just time the Cank mark with the Cam mark and you're done! Full service manuals for download on our website.

[@showersw]

Thanks for the quick reply do you know the torque specs on the new connecting rod bolts? the new rod and piston had bolts instead of studs with nuts not sure if torque specs are different for studs and nuts compared too the bolts as well? I have a nice chiltons book for 20hp and below but doesn't mention torque specs on the connecting rod bolts what do you suggest and should I use some locktite? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks again much appreciated trying too save my old john deere 316.

[@showersw]

Just wanted too say this is a great video and very helpful searched all over and watched a million bad videos until I found this gem of a tutorial anyone looking for good tutorial this is it thanks again.

[@edwardmiller6353]

Great video! Thanks!

[@kennethdixon7416]

Norm. how do you remove the balance gear stub shaft?

[@Isavetractors]

Press it out with a hydraulic Press

[@paulg444]

Everyone tells me to remove those "balance gears".. I would like Norman to tell us what the advantage is of keeping them in the engine ? Realistically, we are not operating at 5000 rpm, most of our engines never even see 3000 rpm. Do I really need balance gears and the risks that they pose ?

[@Isavetractors]

I wrote an article about this. Published in Lawn and Garden Tractor magazine, Cadet Connection Magazine and on our website. Here is a link: isavetractors.com/articles-1/engine-science-the-balancing-act-of-single-cylinder-engines/

[@gtaoperator3189]

Where would I look to find a garden tractor that isn't too expensive that could be used for farming. Thanks.

[@Isavetractors]

craigslist! Perfect for small farming. Old Cub Cadet, Ford LGT's, Wheel Horses, Old John Deere 140's, 314, 317, 318, all great for pulling moldboard plows, tillers, cultivators, etc.

[@gtaoperator3189]

isavetractors Ok thanks. I'll have to check it out.

[@roberttolley5055]

How much to rebuild one 16 hp

[@maggs131]

What if i dont have a red Sharpe. Can i use a blue one?

[@Isavetractors]

No

[@brianphilbrook5262]

Where in the world did you learn all of this? I have a HH100 and I'm terrified to change the oil let alone tear it apart

[@Isavetractors]

Brian Philbrook books and practice!

[@Isavetractors]

Your HH100 is a simple engine to take apart. You can even tear it completely down without removing it from your tractor.

[@brianphilbrook5262]

isavetractors wow I didn't know that. I've been trying to talk my wife into letting me bring it down to you to have an expert look at it. I live up north of you just outside Presque Isle.

[@Isavetractors]

I also trained with the Equipment and Engine Training Council and have been engineering parts for a while. We are a good 5.5 hours from you! Road trip time!

[@brianphilbrook5262]

isavetractors lol it'd be a good trip lol

[@ScoutCrafter]

Awesome! 😃👍

[@christinaperez254]

Ha ha! Fancy meeting you here.....my k321 engine needs this upgrade.

[@cubcadethoard4681]

Nooooooooooooo not the grenade gears

[@johnchadwicktilton]

I am a little new to these engines. I am thinking that mine might have begun to come out of place today while plowing snow. Is there any extra vibrations present if you delete these gears ??

[@cubcadethoard4681]

@@johnchadwicktilton these engines shake with or without them. I dont have them in any and have some super smooth ones. It all depends

[@mikeadler434]

👍👍

[@patchjma8]

Never reinstall balance gears and always remove them, completely unnecessary. Sooner or later they will fail. Many K series engines did not have balance gears, these were only installed to create operator comfort. Get your crank shaft, rod & piston dynamically balanced if engine vibrates too much or if you have upsized piston.

[@chriskotaska8124]

Do a video using the tool. Might be easier and the tool is cheap.

[@zoltanx9374]

dont know what it does besides balance something lol , but least now i know...hmm wonder of this would help 5hp gokart engine

[@Isavetractors]

Your go kart engine likely has a counter balance system as well

[@corbinmurphy4708]

No no no... you don’t want to put balance gears in or back in one of these engines. They come apart and tear the engine up. There also not necessary.

[@BSFNDR]

really..just getting ready to put my k341 back together,,want to elaborate on the no balance gears...??

[@sentinel8711]

take them out and get everything re balanced

[@Isavetractors]

That still won't solve the secondary vibrations a single cylinder engine has at 90 degree and 270 degree of rotation. See the article on single cylinder engine balance on our website

[@sentinel8711]

thats true but with lower RPM vibration.... once you raise the idle with or without balance gears it smooths out .. but to me it's less rotating parts and wear.... less things to worry about ../ as in possibly failing which in some cases they have let loose and blow a hole in the side of the block .. if they were 100%essential all the K series engines would have come with them ... your instruction video is excellent though... keep up the good work I enjoy your channel they are very helpful

[@josem.2909]

I'm new to these engines, and not a mechanic, been learning through videos and reading, but still a long way to go, l bought a 1978 wheel horse C-141 last August, very well kept, the first owner did a good paint job anyway the tractor stars and runs perfectly fine, only issue when rising the throttle at midpoint it shakes bad, all smooth at idle and full throttle, only problem halfway, l noticed the engine rubber mounts are a little worn out, l got the new ones, and hope it will solve the problem, and hope it doesn't have to do with those balance gears 😳😞

[@geraldlentz9170]

So I have the old style balance gears. Is the process the same with the old style just a little different gear? Thanks.

[@Isavetractors]

It's a different process. See the service manual on our website for a step by step guide on installing those. Will be shooting a video with that one soon.