Air filter is vibrating off and bolts used are in no way original (bolts with nuts part way up). If I try to tighten it up too much the choke doesn't work. Any suggestions? Tap and rethread? Any upgrades one might suggest for an early 70s 14hp kohler? I'd really like for this thing to hold together as I'd like to run it places other than up and down my driveway.
air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgrades?
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Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
If the outer can is vibrating off, then use a Nylock style wingnut.
If the base is vibrating off the body of the carb, then drill, re-tap and use Loc-tite along with a star-type lock-washer to put a stop to that.
Now, let's talk about the vibration.
Quite often, the four rubber isolators get weak from age. New ones can be bought from McMaster-Carr and installed into the OEM mounting plates using new steel rivets or machine screws with Nylock nuts. At the same time, the bolts holding the mounting plates to the engine should be check. All too often, these shake loose and ruin the threads in the oil pan.
The engine must be drained of oil and removed from the tractor so that the old stripped holes can be drill oversize, tapped for Helicoils and then re-installed using Loc-tite.
If the outer can is vibrating off, then use a Nylock style wingnut.
If the base is vibrating off the body of the carb, then drill, re-tap and use Loc-tite along with a star-type lock-washer to put a stop to that.
Now, let's talk about the vibration.
Quite often, the four rubber isolators get weak from age. New ones can be bought from McMaster-Carr and installed into the OEM mounting plates using new steel rivets or machine screws with Nylock nuts. At the same time, the bolts holding the mounting plates to the engine should be check. All too often, these shake loose and ruin the threads in the oil pan.
The engine must be drained of oil and removed from the tractor so that the old stripped holes can be drill oversize, tapped for Helicoils and then re-installed using Loc-tite.
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Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
The original screws are gone.
When I had this happen on my 224-79 the screw got sucked into the intake and rattled around for years before it ended up jamming the intake valve open.
This would be a good time to carefully check your intake for screws. :trink:
Stewart
The original screws are gone.
When I had this happen on my 224-79 the screw got sucked into the intake and rattled around for years before it ended up jamming the intake valve open.
This would be a good time to carefully check your intake for screws. :trink:
Stewart
Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
I also had issues with the air cleaner screws on my 1969 444. It was given to my son about 4 months ago. It was road hard and put away wet many times. We got it going real well and he's been a plowin with er. The Kohler k-321 carb air cleaner bolts are fine thread and short. The carbs threaded holes are very shallow and not threaded all the way in. So i used a good thread lock and new SHORT bolts and so far- so good. :trink: :trink: By the way, Its nice here! Great to be a part of! toadroadold abe said:
Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
same problem here I put in new bolts but before I put then in we got this stuff called vibra tite put it on the bolts let it dry then install them they have been tight for 4 months now I have worked it hard to
same problem here I put in new bolts but before I put then in we got this stuff called vibra tite put it on the bolts let it dry then install them they have been tight for 4 months now I have worked it hard to
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Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
I don't know the year that the change was made but I believe some early 444s did not have rubber mounts. These did vibrate quite a bit. Either way Locktite should keep the screws tight. The fact that overtightening makes the choke not works sounds like there may be other issues. Gregg
I don't know the year that the change was made but I believe some early 444s did not have rubber mounts. These did vibrate quite a bit. Either way Locktite should keep the screws tight. The fact that overtightening makes the choke not works sounds like there may be other issues. Gregg
Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
1969 to 1972 the engines were all hard mounted to the frame, as were all of the older 100 series in the 60's and of course, all Colts. In or about 1973, the rubber isolation mounts appeared on the Kohler powered tractors.Nutcase446 said:
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Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
Install studs. But first apply some blue Loctite Thread Locker on the threads before installing the studs in the carburetor. Then fasten the air cleaner base with a split lockwasher & a nut on each stud to secure it to the carburetor.
Install studs. But first apply some blue Loctite Thread Locker on the threads before installing the studs in the carburetor. Then fasten the air cleaner base with a split lockwasher & a nut on each stud to secure it to the carburetor.
Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
so the funny thing that happened since posting this was that my screen on my computer died. that is getting tossed into the project pile for later and we just bought a new one.
now i can take in the wisdom.
basically what i'm seeing is the original screws are gone.. i'll see if any got sucked in. what was on there were two bolts with nuts threaded part way and locking washers and some random smaller screw. i thought i saw rubber when i looked at the mounts but am not sure. i will investigate further now that i know to look.
also to note.. which may be important is that the drive pulley on my snocaster was recently welded as it was shot and it has play on the shaft as well.
another thing is that when attempting to thaw the tractor and get the choke lever to work (was iced over) to work i may have stretched out the cable or some such a dumb thing.
i got some loctite but will remedy the hardware to use first... also likely yank the carb to make sure nothing special or irregular is happening.
so the funny thing that happened since posting this was that my screen on my computer died. that is getting tossed into the project pile for later and we just bought a new one.
now i can take in the wisdom.
basically what i'm seeing is the original screws are gone.. i'll see if any got sucked in. what was on there were two bolts with nuts threaded part way and locking washers and some random smaller screw. i thought i saw rubber when i looked at the mounts but am not sure. i will investigate further now that i know to look.
also to note.. which may be important is that the drive pulley on my snocaster was recently welded as it was shot and it has play on the shaft as well.
another thing is that when attempting to thaw the tractor and get the choke lever to work (was iced over) to work i may have stretched out the cable or some such a dumb thing.
i got some loctite but will remedy the hardware to use first... also likely yank the carb to make sure nothing special or irregular is happening.
Re: air filter vibrating off early 70s 444 suggestions upgra
Figured it out. One bolt hole is stripped a little wider than the other. The makeshift bolts were too long and used a nut to set the length. I had screwed them in too long and it pushed in to where the post for the choking thus that issue. Went to test it after re assembly and now something died and it won't start. Wouldn't take a boost so I'm not sure what's up.
Figured it out. One bolt hole is stripped a little wider than the other. The makeshift bolts were too long and used a nut to set the length. I had screwed them in too long and it pushed in to where the post for the choking thus that issue. Went to test it after re assembly and now something died and it won't start. Wouldn't take a boost so I'm not sure what's up.
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