Just wanted to post and tell those who are trying to decide if they should try to replace a bad head gasket on a vertical shaft Kohler twin that it's an easy job that you can do yourself.
Our shop Cub Cadet had a bad head gasket on the CH730 series Kohler and it was blowing oil smoke. Very common to these engines.
Got a replacement gasket kit for $26.00 on EBay, took the upper shroud off, the valve cover, intake manifold bolts, exhaust pipe, and then pulled the head off after loosening 4 bolts.
Cleaned carbon off the head and the piston. Checked the head for flatness with a surface plate and .004"(factory spec) feeler gauge. Installed the new gasket and torqued the bolts to 370 inch-pounds (factory spec).
Re-assembled everything and fired it right up. Runs smooth again with no more smoking. Took about 3 hours and it was well worth it.
Our shop Cub Cadet had a bad head gasket on the CH730 series Kohler and it was blowing oil smoke. Very common to these engines.
Got a replacement gasket kit for $26.00 on EBay, took the upper shroud off, the valve cover, intake manifold bolts, exhaust pipe, and then pulled the head off after loosening 4 bolts.
Cleaned carbon off the head and the piston. Checked the head for flatness with a surface plate and .004"(factory spec) feeler gauge. Installed the new gasket and torqued the bolts to 370 inch-pounds (factory spec).
Re-assembled everything and fired it right up. Runs smooth again with no more smoking. Took about 3 hours and it was well worth it.