Hello, I have 2 Cub Cadets and 1 Ford garden tractors with the KT17 engines and luckily all 3 engines are the Series 2 engines with the pressurized oil system. I am weighing maybe finding a different engine to install in my Cubs. How much difficulty did you have in getting the engine parts for your engine tear down and reassembly? Do you have a good source for engine parts that would be around for a good period of time? I do know that there are a lot of haters of the Kohler KT17 engines, But I always kept the engine oil changed and never really had any issues with my engines other than electrical problems with both of my Cubs.
Yeah there is a lot of hate, it started with the Series 1, which to be fair was a poor lubrication design. As the KT evolved and in its final iteration as the Magnum twin, the engines became known for reliability - with the exception of the governor gear falling into the case and causing overspeeding. For replacement parts, I go with iSaveTractors.com. Norman stocks the common parts like rods, pistons, and rings (though pistons and rods are the new design and do not interchange with the older KT engines).
