Replacing Scag wb engine

[nuyz125]

hey guys, new to the site, I have a question for some of you out there though, I just picked up a used scag walk behind, and believe me, it is used, It needs a decent bit of cleaning up, as well as a new engine, it is a belt drive 48, but not all too old, and as dumb a description as it may be, for a reference as to age, it has the newer yellow type pto switch (push pull) anyways, which engines do you guys recommend, hp, brand, and also, how difficult is it to replace these engines? I am assuming fairly easy. Lastly, if anyone has used engines for any reason, I am very interested! Thanks alot.

[AL Inc]

nuyz, I put a new 14 Kawasaki on my 48" Scag last year. The original kawi motor lasted 7 seasons, so I think it is a good motor :) I replaced it myself, I'm really not a great mechanic, but it wasn't bad. Hopefully I'll get another 7 years out of the machine

[ed2hess]

The replacement is made easy if you replace with same brand and size of engine.

[jim dailey]

The replacement is made easy if you replace with same brand and size of engine.

Exactly...What he said. Please post the size (48") oft the deck, and what engine is presently on it. We can then go from there.

[nuyz125]

its a 48 inch deck, and the engine that was originally on it was a kohler 14, but it seems like alot of guys prefer the kawasakis..is it too much of a hassle to change it, or should I just stick with the kohler, i have a snapper with a kohler that is pretty nice, so i have no problems with them...also, what size shaft are these engines? 1"? I have found several kohler 14's with 3" by 1" driveshaft with a full keyway, would this work? thanks

[jim dailey]

its a 48 inch deck, and the engine that was originally on it was a kohler 14, but it seems like alot of guys prefer the kawasakis..is it too much of a hassle to change it, or should I just stick with the kohler, i have a snapper with a kohler that is pretty nice, so i have no problems with them...also, what size shaft are these engines? 1"? I have found several kohler 14's with 3" by 1" driveshaft with a full keyway, would this work? thanks

OK, either, or. Your choice. The shafts are the same. So are the bolt patterns. Is the clutch electric or manual. Electric should have at least a 4" long shaft, threaded in the middle. Electric start or pull start? Pull start is NO problem. Electric means a minor wire set-up. 30W oil in the Kawi, and 10-30Win the Kohler. NOW, go forth young man, and spend money. Let us know how you are doing.

[lwcmattlifter]

Whats wrong with the engine? If you cant go new then why not rebuild? Kohler parts are very easy to come by.

[nuyz125]

I bought the mower with the engine "not running" and in pretty crappy condition from what I have been able to see, I haven't been able to check it out yet to see if its completely destroyed yet, but how would I tell? I have pretty good experience replacing/rebuilding motocross bikes, but is a bottom end failure as catastrous (financially speaking) on this kohler as it is on a dirtbike? If so it seems like i'd be better off just buying a new one..either way i'll find out this weekend, im finishing up the school year right now..

[lwcmattlifter]

Nope, not at all, dirt bike engines are way more expensive. I just rebuilt a Kaw 12.5 about a month ago. Total price was about $200. Machine work costs very little for small engines. I paid around $60 to have the cylinder bored and the block hot tanked. That engine has new valves, springs, bearings, piston, rings, and gaskets. I don't think a crank would be more than $150. If you have the time it might be worth it to save a few bucks but if that time could be spent mowing then I would go with a new engine.

[nuyz125]

sounds good to me, I have seen those rebuild kits on ebay etc, so maybe thats the way to go. I am going to scope it out this weekend and let you guys know, by the way, it was an electric style pto switch. Thanks