Kohler 18HP Remote Throttle, Choke Ignition Question

Presumably, you are considering this for your 600.


Most likely, the size of this engine will not be a factor due to the roominess of the 600 engine bay.

The exhaust system on that engine can likely be used as is by simply using flex tubing on the tail pipe and directing it downward to below the tractor frame.

I see no reason why your stock throttle and choke controls won't work with this engine but a simple e-mail to SEW would confirm that IN WRITING.

As for the electrical, the charging circuit is no problem to connect. What you have to watch out for is the ignition wiring. If this engine does not use a conventional ignition coil but instead has it's own ignition system that gets power from the flywheel magnets, then you will have to change your ignition switch to one from an Ingersoll with a Vanguard engine. Those switches do not send power to the coils. Instead, they accept a wire FROM the coils and ground it out when the key is turned to STOP or OFF. If you send power to those coils, you would blow them both and kiss goodbye at least $100.00.

Thank you all, I appreciate for the replies. Tom hit it right on the nose. I am continuing to evaluate the CCKA in my 646 and my options to re-power. I also got a quote from Small Engine warehouse for a 646 "replacement" Briggs 21HP Vanguard with partial muffler, lovejoy and pump bracket for $1700. This Kohler 18HP engine caught my eye because of the nice price and it includes a muffler I think I could make work as Tom stated. Brian, Bart had also put me in that direction a few weeks ago, thank you both, I have been researching the 7020 specs. I was not able to view a description of the setup in the parts manual but I did grab a model number; CH20 64666 which I found this exact motor on line at a another place, but it is $1700, engine only. I'll look at CH620 too. I haven't got to the bolt pattern to engine regarding the pump bracket yet, that is whether they are universal or not (I have an A pump). Tom thanks for the extra caution on the electrical system.
Mike, I also have a brand new Ingersoll one too not yet installed.
Regarding Small Engine Ware House, they seem to buy up overstocked engines for all different applications by different manufacturers. They seem to have a million engines. I was also looking at the Honda's. They also give you the HP not just cc.s! They even have a drop in kit for a 400 series Case. They do caution on their kits that some mod may be needed.
:222: :446: Best Regards, Rich

Putting the Kohler into this tractor would give you a revived tractor in about one to two days of work time. If you rebuild the Onan, the tractor will be down for at least a week, perhaps longer. Buying the Kohler also fixes your costs to a certain amount. Rebuilding the Onan could be cheaper than going with the Kohler or it could be more expensive. It's a crap shoot. Once the Onan is out of the tractor, you then have the luxury of setting aside some money over the next couple of years to rebuild it. It would cost you nothing but your time to tear the Onan down. A machine shop may charge you a nominal fee to inspect the key parts and measure the bores. Once you have that information, you will know exactly what work needs to be done along with a list of parts needed. The project can then be costed with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Then.....you can decide whether to proceed with a rebuild or just coat everything in grease and pack it in a box for storage. That way, you have the original engine still available for a future buyer that wants to restore the tractor.