Troy Bilt Mustang Colt ZT: Kohler 19 Courage

67Camaro

67Camaro

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Trying to help a kid out who mows yards. I've read all/most of the discouraging facts about this engine. This one has zero compression despite the piston moving in the bore and the valves working. My guess, as I have not taken the engine apart, is the rings are toast, the valves are burnt, head gasket is bad or a combination of all. My question is, what would be the best option as far as a replacement engine? I don't want to do a bunch of fabrication as the mower, being in good condition, is not worth a bunch. Thanks for any advice/recommendations!
 
Are you sure about the compression? The engine may have a compression release. Can you give the engine model number?
 
It does not have a compression release. The engine data label is worn off and I don't have that information. Upon further inspection, I found that one of the valve guides had moved. Remedied that and now I have valves fully closing and 120 psi cylinder pressure. Top case bolts are tight, read a bunch about those working loose. Now, I cannot seem to find a quality starter solenoid. Two new ones have failed. Looking for a heavy duty solenoid. Engine turns over fine with no binding whatsoever. Looking at a 300 amp solenoid from NAPA.
 
It is still struggling to turn over in start attempts. It fires every once in awhile, even runs for a bit. Just because I wanted to, I measured endplay of the crank/flywheel and it is over .025" which seems too much. I don't know the spec but even with a new battery, starter and solenoid, it struggles. I've probably smoked the new starter! I'm thinking even though I can turn it over by hand, with the endplay, it is binding when the starter engages the flywheel ring gear.
 
Ok....maybe I'm mistaken. I will perform a valve lash adjustment, .005" intake .007" exhaust, and see if that helps. Thanks and hope you catch a bigger catfish!
 
24lb Carp...Now I got a lot of poor man's tuna fish.

Once you set the clearance look for the decompression bump on the exhaust rocker. If not present then it has failed on the exhaust cam wheel. And you got to open up the bucket.

Here is the ACR on the SV590 IPL. Item #1. Item #11 is available even though it is not list on most of the SV series IPLs, PN 20 089 06-S
1787004666654.png
 
Last edited:
StarTech said:
24lb Carp...Now I got a lot of poor man's tuna fish.

Once you set the clearance look for the decompression bump on the exhaust rocker. If not present then it has failed on the exhaust cam wheel. And you got to open up the bucket.

Here is the ACR on the SV590 IPL. Item #1. Item #11 is available even though it is not list on most of the SV series IPLs, PN 20 089 06-S
View attachment 74262
Click to expand...
Thank you for the illustration. I'm gonna do the valve adjustment and see what happens. The kid probably doesn't want to pay for taking the engine apart. If I do that, I'll perform a complete rebuild. End play of .025 is acceptable. Guess up to .040" is ok. He did ask me to go ahead and change the oil. I replied that was on my list as it had very little oil in it when I got it in the shop! Ugh! Thanks again very much!! Biggest fish I ever caught was an 8.5 lb. large mouth. Very exciting experience. My wife and I go to Minnesota once a year and fish for two or three days. Catch many Perch and a few Walleye and Northern. Spent a bunch of $$ one year to go inland fishing at the Gulf. Only caught a Puffer Fish!
 
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