Nothing like getting an old engine to run after a long period of time.. I started tinkering with small engines when I was probably six years old and I am now 67 and still love to tinker and probably will as long as I am able.. Mike in Louisiana
meg I’m 62, started when I was 14, blew up the old mans mower. It was either replace the rod or buy him a new one. I fixed it, never figured out if was happy for me that I did it, or pissed because he didn’t get a new mower. Small engine repair is a great side hustle.
@@jlucasound Generators,pumps, welders, are just a few of what I had to maintain every day in my 30 year job of which I am retired from ...I still enjoy though..Mike in Louisiana
Just built a cheap Chinese engine kit for a radio controlled car. Had all kinds of problems, got it working though. I will never buy anything from China again if I can help it. I'm currently 24 years old from Virginia.
I love watching your diagnostic procedure Mike. Too bad that little Kohler wasn't salvageable, but you can't win them all. Also enjoy watching you and Roadking bring engines back to life. Happy Holidays!
I really enjoy watching all of the videos you make mechanical objects [ especially old ones] are awesome I haven't turned any wrenches in a while these videos are keeping me somewhat sane
You’re a good man. If everything went to scrap yard when it stopped working we would run out of parts soon. I was worried you were going to throw it away.
Hay mate I watch your videos for the learning entertainment of them I live in New Zealand and we run 240 volt at our mains so although most of your videos deal with 110 volt it’s not a long jump to see how things run thanks for your videos I hope long may you continue.
@@jamesbulldogmiller I bought a '72 Vega gt, two weeks later I was going to pick up my girl friend, directly in front of the dealership the transmission came loose and the only thing keeping it off the ground was the shifter. The mechanic at the dealership found the bolts were stripped going into the bell housing. This was a new car.
The early sixties. That was back when everyone knew not to put their fingers near the spark plugs. The uninsulated caps is how they gained that knowledge. Ouch! That is how I learned. :-) You know it is worth saving. Anything can be rebuilt. Yes, the cost and time are the "stone walls". Nice machine.
It is unfortunate that you didn't get to work on the actual generator. I have a smaller Kohler unit that I have the intention of re-assembling and making operable, and I could have learned a lot from your troubleshooting technique in regard to the generator because I have never worked on one like this. I enjoyed the video, and completely understand why it wasn't worth your time to continue on with the project.
Thank you for quite an interesting evaluation of your Waukesha engine. Kohler is still in business and doing well selling laboratory equipment and generators. I asked for Waukesha diesel well that might be a different story. Waukesha Wisconsin is or was a Mecca for industrial diesel engines one of them being Waukesha and the other international diesel. The international corporate structure was such that they needed the foundry to make all those blocks heads, and equipment needed for all the equipment for housings.Sadly I don’t know if either one of them is still there. I moved out of Wisconsin in the 1980s and haven’t been back enough to notice anything.
What a shame that was really a lo hour gen set but with the cracked block i would scrap it. Mike I agree with you. Keep the videos coming. Keep Road King out of trouble. Have a great weekend!!!
I know this is 7 months old but I enjoyed it. Those rods and pistons were really beefy for a little four cylinder. Those old industrial engines were really built to last and be rebuilt when needed. Unlike today's throw away culture.
Mike. I just saw the video on the Kohler engine tear down - no cracked head. I live off the grid and have a Kohler engine as a back up to my solar panels. It’s four-cylinder Kohler model number 6.5 A22 built in the ‘60’s very similar to the one you broke down. It runs great and meets all my needs. I was wondering if the controller can be replaced by a modern version? I had the engine refurbished a couple of years ago and it runs great but the controller is looking pretty ragged. The controller looks very complicated but I am wondering if a modern version can replace it. If anyone has an answer or if you Mike can answer I would really appreciate it and any advice Thanks for the video you are amazing and so knowledgeable
Interesting video, enjoyed watching, you have a great way to explain what you are doing I learn a lot👍 just a little comment to my last comment, yes we have 3 phases in every house here in Denmark paid by the state, but we also pays 50% in income tax 😅
I have a sort of similar 15 KVA genset that is also 120/208 three phase as its primary set up. However it is reconfigurable to work as a 120/240 single phase unit by moving one of the phases around to change the stock 'Y' (Wye) winding configuration over to a Zig-Zag ( -^ or ^- ) connection. Basically, it's just taking one of the phases center taps and putting it on the output end of one of the other phases similar to how setting up a 120 VAC full delta configuration works, but not all the way. Worth reading up on if you are ever curious.
Not sure if u can give me some pointers. I have a Kohler 4K generator in my vintage RV. I have to keep the start button pressed in for it to stay running
Mike, those cracks between the cylinders will not bother anything. Fill the cracks with irontite, lock and stitch any cracks in the exterior water jacket, and have the deck ground smooth. Might have to have the mains line bored if the block twisted any from the fracture. I did just this on a Hart-Parr 70 5 gear Continental engine. It runs as smooth as silk now. Waukesha built a fantastic engine, and Kohler built one of the best generator heads of that time period.
Thanks for the Video very helpful. I am in the process of trying to restore a Kohler 15R081 which looks identical to your unit except it is diesel powered. I stupidly damaged the three connector plates that union the genset to the motor when separating the genset. If you have decided to part out your unit I would love to get the plates. Let me know when you get a minute Thanks
Just noticed the tag on the engine as I'm watching, that's a Waukesha engine, and I just so happen to live in Waukesha WI and drive by often where they used to be manufactured! Neat engines but it's too bad it's cracked
That's like my '82 Ford Escort: split between the 3rd and 4th cylinders, involving the water jackets. It ran for a while, but it burned more antifreeze than gas.
Mike! I have the same genset..so sad to see this not going to run. question for you any chance you could give a few pointers on how to test the compound transformers. Thank you so much...love the channel. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Cracked Block. No Bueno. That had to have gotten REALLY hot. You made the right choice. Maybe even #1 and #4 pistons could be reused? Money is such a bitch. Thank You for sharing!
Mike, great video, thanks for sharing. Not asking to see it done, but out curiosity, how big a job would it be to see it run on 1 and 4? If you were going fast and ugly, would bolts straight through 2 and 3 provide enough strength to hold those cracks shut? I know it’s not at all practical, just curious as a thought process.
Good call Mike. I had acquired a small kubota diesel and after tear down found a badly rusted cylinder liner and a cracked head. Could be repaired but not worth it to me. Maybe someone will need some parts later.
Hey I’m have a Koehler generator bolted to a trailer I bought from at&t after they got new ones. It’s older and here recently it won’t stay running after it’s warmed up only numbers I can find on it are 240957-2 which is on the valve cover. It has a magneto if you let it sit it cranks back up after 20 minutes but then dies out again after 5 it runs off propane also
Considering the low hours, it died due to lack of maintenance. It is likely a 1960 .model as original parts usually all produced in same year. This unit should have lasted 3000-5000 hours and maybe more with careful maintenance not the 300 hours on the meter generators nowadays have engines less than half the size. An old 1.8 or 2.0 VW TDI engine swap would be a good bet or any engine with same horsepower or better at 1800RPM would do the trick. That is what I would do. Generator section probably still in good shape but may need some maintenance to make perfect. A1960 generator set is pre EPA regulation so any junkyard motor will do to repower it. I would take on this as fun project.
Mike what would you have to do to check out the radiator and the generator itself? Would either of those tasks be cost effective if you sold the two pieces? Thanks, I'm just a curious guy.
The radiator could be pressure tested to determine if there are any leaks, that would not be a difficult task. For the gen end, a good visual inspection of the windings and associated wiring to look for damaged insulation would be first followed by a few checks with an ohmmeter. If anything looked suspicious but tested okay with the ohmmeter a follow up test with a 500v megger to determine if there are any faults would be in order. Thanks for watching Bob!
Nice video Mike I sure enjoy watching you explain things as you go. Waukesha engines are good engines. As with any engine lack of maintenance can kill one really quick. By the way, I like your shop.
Mike, don't listen to too much 'Fan Service'. People are signed up for what you're doing now, at least I am. Not every channel has to show unrealistic resources and flashy production, I like the format of this channel, and the way you make decisions. Your audio is good and I can see what you're doing. It's a fun channel where I learn things (that I will never use 😂)
I just repaired almost identical engine except diesel version that I believe is older? A VRD 155. Parts are still available and quite reasonably priced. Piston, rings and sleeve about 100$ a hole. Bit of trivia, note the rod bearings are not pressure lubricated. Two large holes on rod feed bearing, thus the two holes in rod bearings.
I had the exact same one I picked up for free that was natural gas/LP put some starter fluid in it started right up but I had some issues and had to get it off the property so I got rid of it and now I regret getting rid of it all it really needed was a radiator and tuneup
25:50 always room for Jello! The crud in the cooling passages might be stop leak. BTW, I just retired from over 23 years with a local gen company and I'm probably the last guy there who would even attempt to play with one of these old dogs. I even had ignition parts on my truck for the JB and CCK series Onans when I turned it in last winter. Sorry, no magneto parts.
My thoughts exactly! Was probably a little seep or drip that was ignored then one day the thing was called to run and bang ........ a small problem just turned into a big one. Thanks for watching!
loved this video, more plz also, you seem apologetic alot about your interest in old engines/generators and getting them running/working on them, don't be, its not weird, unusual or uninteresting, loads of people have those exact interests, you don't have to justify your reason for getting old engines running, just doing it for the pure enjoyment of doing so is reason enough, also makes for great videos.
What kind of microphone are you using? Maybe a shotgun mic could help you reduce the pretty constant traffic noise, at least for the shots where you're in front of the camera
I don't know what it was originally from, found it at an engine show and thought it would be a good wall hanger until I find a use for it. Thanks for watching!
Can something like this be used to replace a tesla? does the concept work I mean? so instead of having tons of batteries you have maybe a couple and use this generator to provide the power to the motors. I would definitely try making a car work like that if I could
I made my living fixing those things. The block cracks were most likely from it over heating and cold water being put into it. The fact that it is a wet sleve engine makes it simple to repair. It would be a shame to not fix it and make it run again.
Nice video Mike. I love to watch you on Roads channel. Now I can watch you here too. Yep mashed both the sub and bell for ya. It's a shame that it's not easily repairable it would make someone a nice home gen or garage backup gen. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
Probably had coolant left in it during the winter while it was stored, intake potentially open, potentially filled the middle two cylinders n then froze n cracked the block, Not unusual if not maintained well, which almost looks to be the case..may not have even been cracked originally
Loved the video. Too bad that it was in bad shape. But just wanted to let you know that if you have a Fastenal around you can send parts through them really cheap. So if anyone wants the parts off that engine thats what I recommend. It's not fast but it's a great way to ship heavy parts. I have gotten a lot of hit miss engines that way. It's a great price also. Just wanted to say thanks for making the video.
got the 15 kw waukesha 180 dcl . has nothing for hrs on it, no one could keep it running, I removed the machanics lead seal on the fuel intake of the injection pump, must have been a Friday ,the machanic forgot to install a spring in behind a tiny valve , the little valve would close intermitantly shutting down engine.
that would make a sweet generator for someone I'm sure ...maybe a short block can be found from places like KRAFTPOWER or another remanufactured outlet ...
I wonder what happened to "crack" that engine like that. Lack of cooling? Lack of oil? Maybe a stupid idea, but couldn't you mount a modern (car)engine on this? A 4cylinder Toyota, f.i. ?
Mike in no way is this to be construed as derogatory, you standing behind the genset up on the workbench looks like a younger version of Keith Rucker (VintageMachinery.org) w/hair. :)
