917 engine

The 917 & 919 used the "KT" series motor. The original ones, also known as the series ones, had two major flaws. The connecting rod bearings were not pressure lubed, just splash and the oil pump was located to one side of the block. I can't recall which side right now but if you ran across the side of a hill the oil all ran to the other side starving the pump for oil and you would soon have a ventilated block. Kohler rectified these problems by coming out with the series II "KT" motors that drilled the crank and pressure lubed the connecting rod bearings and relocated the oil pump to the center of the block in a little sump so you could run side hills and not lose oil. The series II motors then were almost bullet proof. Back in 2000 I bought a 919 with a blown engine and only 400 hrs on it. I bought a complete brand new series II motor from Jack's small engine warehouse in Nebraska shipped to my door for $1500. Was a lot of money at the time but I now have over 1000 hrs on it and have had zero issues with it. Other motors such as the magnum or command series will fit but not without modifications. Try and find a series II and you won't regret it. Sorry so long winded but hope this helps. Don Jr.

I have a 917 that I bought at an auction when it was about a year old, but I don't remember when. It's a 2 cylinder opposed.

A few years later I saw a new, I think 917, that had a V-2 engine in it.

Dusty

917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express"

Newer Red Kohler Magnums Are Also A Bolt In Replacement For KT Series

Edited by A-C_220 - 11 May 2020 at 4:22pm

I have two KT17 series 2 engines. Mine way series 2 on the shroud decals. Both run awesome. One has 2000 hrs, the other unknown. I really like the way they sound. They have a unique sound when working even a little different than an Onan.

Sorry, they are still on tractors that I use. I will keep an eye out for you. I am in Nashville, Ohio.

Thanks for ALL your input - found 2 mostly complete KT-17 ser. II engines - will take best of each one to make a good runner.

the Honda V 18 HP is a good replacement but a little pricey . Think the Harbor Freight V engine would be worth a try

Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Not going to replace my Kohler just was wondering what you guys thought of them

I have had good luck with all of the Kohler motors that I have. -----The old ones are the best ones --- newer ones are o.k but could be made cast iron and not luni, so dont know how long they will hold up,--probably bout as long as a Tech! --I have 3 of them on tillers and they are too light in weight, messes up the balance.

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only AC orange Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Access Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Location: Eastern Indiana Points: 383	Post Options Post Reply Quote only AC orange Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 917 engine Posted: 10 May 2020 at 7:20pm
	Recently purchased a nice 917 without an engine. I understand that model of Kohler was not reliable, what is recommended as replacement?

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Don Jr NY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Waterloo NY Points: 325	Post Options Post Reply Quote Don Jr NY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2020 at 5:07am
	The 917 & 919 used the "KT" series motor. The original ones, also known as the series ones, had two major flaws. The connecting rod bearings were not pressure lubed, just splash and the oil pump was located to one side of the block. I can't recall which side right now but if you ran across the side of a hill the oil all ran to the other side starving the pump for oil and you would soon have a ventilated block. Kohler rectified these problems by coming out with the series II "KT" motors that drilled the crank and pressure lubed the connecting rod bearings and relocated the oil pump to the center of the block in a little sump so you could run side hills and not lose oil. The series II motors then were almost bullet proof. Back in 2000 I bought a 919 with a blown engine and only 400 hrs on it. I bought a complete brand new series II motor from Jack's small engine warehouse in Nebraska shipped to my door for $1500. Was a lot of money at the time but I now have over 1000 hrs on it and have had zero issues with it. Other motors such as the magnum or command series will fit but not without modifications. Try and find a series II and you won't regret it. Sorry so long winded but hope this helps. Don Jr.

only AC orange Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Access Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Location: Eastern Indiana Points: 383	Post Options Post Reply Quote only AC orange Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2020 at 7:54am
	How can I tell difference between series 1 and series 11 engines? Have a lawn mower salvage yard close by and will go on a search/rescue mission. Thanks for info!

Dusty MI Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Charlotte, Mi Points: 5053	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dusty MI Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2020 at 7:55am
	I have a 917 that I bought at an auction when it was about a year old, but I don't remember when. It's a 2 cylinder opposed. A few years later I saw a new, I think 917, that had a V-2 engine in it. Dusty
	917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express"

tadams(OH) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Location: Jeromesville, O Points: 9620	Post Options Post Reply Quote tadams(OH) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2020 at 2:49pm
	Oil filter will be one way to tell.

A-C_220 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 05 Jan 2019 Location: Canada Points: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote A-C_220 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2020 at 4:22pm
	Newer Red Kohler Magnums Are Also A Bolt In Replacement For KT Series Edited by A-C_220 - 11 May 2020 at 4:22pm

AC720Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Oct 2016 Location: Shenandoah, Va Points: 4635	Post Options Post Reply Quote AC720Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2020 at 5:45pm
	My 917, has a KT in it and I have had zero issues. It mows 1.2 acres each week. I have a few hills but not much. I think it’s a 1983. I bought it in 1988. The owner failed to get the front seal replaced when it began leaking worse. Shortly after it threw a rod out the side due to no oil. He traded it in on a Simplicity and I bought it when the dealer installed a brand new KT in it. I have repaired the deck several times but it has been a very good tractor, the KT has been rock solid.
	1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD

Orangeisgreat190 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 07 Apr 2020 Location: Ohio Points: 50	Post Options Post Reply Quote Orangeisgreat190 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 May 2020 at 10:33am
	I have two KT17 series 2 engines. Mine way series 2 on the shroud decals. Both run awesome. One has 2000 hrs, the other unknown. I really like the way they sound. They have a unique sound when working even a little different than an Onan.

only AC orange Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Access Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Location: Eastern Indiana Points: 383	Post Options Post Reply Quote only AC orange Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 May 2020 at 1:53pm
	Where are you located in Oh. and how much for the better of the 2? What is included with the engine? Did either of them come from an Allis or Simplicity mower?

Orangeisgreat190 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 07 Apr 2020 Location: Ohio Points: 50	Post Options Post Reply Quote Orangeisgreat190 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 May 2020 at 8:49pm
	Sorry, they are still on tractors that I use. I will keep an eye out for you. I am in Nashville, Ohio.

ac fleet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jan 2014 Location: Arrowsmith, ILL Points: 2197	Post Options Post Reply Quote ac fleet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 May 2020 at 2:11pm
	My 917 came with an 18 horse in it but the guy threw the original engine in with the deal. Problem with the 18 is ya gotta take the damn engine out to put in a new ignition module! The original has points up on top of the engine making ignition a breeze! -- I still want to rebuild the 17 ---the good motor and put it back in so I can get to the ignition without taking the motor out all the time! ---- repower aint the answer folks!!
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only AC orange Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Access Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Location: Eastern Indiana Points: 383	Post Options Post Reply Quote only AC orange Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 2020 at 7:27am
	Thanks for ALL your input - found 2 mostly complete KT-17 ser. II engines - will take best of each one to make a good runner.

Dave Wisc. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jun 2015 Location: Wisc. Points: 216	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dave Wisc. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 2020 at 12:13pm
	What does everyone think of the 18 hp Kohler that was in the 718 Allis lawn mower

Coke-in-MN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Afton MN Points: 41184	Post Options Post Reply Quote Coke-in-MN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 2020 at 8:11pm
	the Honda V 18 HP is a good replacement but a little pricey . Think the Harbor Freight V engine would be worth a try
	Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something. "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

ac fleet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jan 2014 Location: Arrowsmith, ILL Points: 2197	Post Options Post Reply Quote ac fleet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 May 2020 at 1:23pm
	HF is chimna junk!!---BUY AMERICAN, and BE AN AMERICAN!
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Dave Wisc. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jun 2015 Location: Wisc. Points: 216	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dave Wisc. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 May 2020 at 6:16pm
	Not going to replace my Kohler just was wondering what you guys thought of them

HudCo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 29 Jan 2013 Location: Plymouth Utah Points: 3262	Post Options Post Reply Quote HudCo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 2020 at 5:01pm
	ac fleet i am with you all the way and right more than ever .. at least the kohler stuff that is produced in china has dealer support. any one that thinks honda parts allfit on hf engines havent tried to match up or find very many honda part numbers for a hf engine, especalily when you order one in for a customer and its wrong you just wasted an hour out of your labor plus freight cost of the part and you still have a customer that doesnt have his part

ac fleet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jan 2014 Location: Arrowsmith, ILL Points: 2197	Post Options Post Reply Quote ac fleet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 2020 at 12:20pm
	I have had good luck with all of the Kohler motors that I have. -----The old ones are the best ones --- newer ones are o.k but could be made cast iron and not luni, so dont know how long they will hold up,--probably bout as long as a Tech! --I have 3 of them on tillers and they are too light in weight, messes up the balance.
	http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/