Where to buy rebuilt or used Kawasaki engines inexpensively, and parts

[genesis215]

I have a blown 17HP Kawasaki FH500V-AS06 on my 52" Exmark Turf Tracer HP, and need to either replace it or rebuild it. I have extensively searched the internet for a source of rebuilt engines, and could not find any. What I need is either a 17 or 19HP Kawasaki with recoil start (not electric). The FH500V, FH541V, and FH580V are the models that could work on my mower. Or even a used engine could work for me if it has been well maintained, and has lower hours. Shaft size is 1"x3 5/32".

I need help with this soon, preferably in the next week, because the grass is starting to grow in earnest.

Thanks in advance.

[djagusch]

Russo has them for around $1050 new. Could save on shipping picking it up.

[genesis215]

I can get an 18HP Honda V-Twin OHV for $700 from Small Engine Warehouse, plus muffler and shipping it would be $900. Is this a better route to go?

[genesis215]

Here's the link to the engine I've found:

http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/product.asp?PN=GXV610QWD&desc=Honda%20Engine%20%2018hp%20Vertical%20Shaft,%201%20x%203%205/32",%20Recoil%20Start,%20oil%20filter,%20remote%20throttle

[viper00085]

other option is a kohler command 18hp single cylinder. CV493T- 27512 (or PA-27512) same crank size, bolts right onto the TT frame. Recoil start and comes with std muffler. WE change alot of units over to this engine versus the higher priced kawi replacement. Do some searching, you should be able to find them around priced from $600-900.00

[genesis215]

Does the 18HP single cylinder have much power and torque compared to the Kawasaki V-twin? I have had a 16HP Kohler single cylinder, and it had half the power of the 15HP Kawasaki's I used to have.

[EVM]

Check JThomas Distributors.

[genesis215]

J-thomas is way too expensive for me when other places have deals like this Honda 18HP. Any REBUILT engines that would be LESS than $900?

[EVM]

J-thomas is way too expensive for me when other places have deals like this Honda 18HP. Any REBUILT engines that would be LESS than $900?


J Thomas always seemed to have fair deal to me, especially over local shops. There is a local engine warehouse that can't even touch thomas's engine prices. Hope that honda crosses over for you.

[IRRITECH]

What do you mean by "blown". I have the same engine on my 36 TT and I have one that I rebuilt this winter sitting in the garage as a backup. I may be interested in the engine.

[genesis215]

It is blowing oil right out the exhaust, is very low on power, and doesn't hold compression. So it really is blown. I probably could have the engine bored out, heads refaced, and put an oversize rebuild kit on it, but I'm thinking of just starting fresh.

BTW, I did find the Kohler Command 18HP for $712.66, with muffler, and free shipping. Should I go for this? It seems like a tremendous deal. If it bolts right up to the Turf Tracer frame then it should be good.

My only concern is that my 12.5HP Kohler Command with recoil start that I used to have was VERY hard to pull partcularly when cold, even though it was nearly new, and was only a belt drive. I am concerned that it will be unbearably hard to pull being an 18HP, and hydros bogging the pulling speed down. My Kawasaki is very easy to pull. But if this is an illegitimate concern, then that would be vey good.

[deznutz]

Hi I was seeing if you may be willing to part with your blown motor. I am in need of some parts to get a couple mowers running with the fh500v motors. If you would be willing to sell your blown motor I would be interested. Thanks Daniel

[IRRITECH]

It is blowing oil right out the exhaust, is very low on power, and doesn't hold compression. So it really is blown. I probably could have the engine bored out, heads refaced, and put an oversize rebuild kit on it, but I'm thinking of just starting fresh.

BTW, I did find the Kohler Command 18HP for $712.66, with muffler, and free shipping. Should I go for this? It seems like a tremendous deal. If it bolts right up to the Turf Tracer frame then it should be good.

My only concern is that my 12.5HP Kohler Command with recoil start that I used to have was VERY hard to pull partcularly when cold, even though it was nearly new, and was only a belt drive. I am concerned that it will be unbearably hard to pull being an 18HP, and hydros bogging the pulling speed down. My Kawasaki is very easy to pull. But if this is an illegitimate concern, then that would be vey good.

Pull the release chain to take the pressure off the belts, makes the pull alot easier. Your Kaw is probably so easy to pull cause you don't got no compression.

[viper00085]

I say the 18 requires the same pulling force as the 12.5-15's, no more/no less. Maybe a little more force than the Kawi. i find it easy to start and i am smaller guy. As long as you set the choke correctly so its fully closing, they seem to fire off on the 1st or 2nd pull even in cooler weather.

Powerwise, we have never had a complaint and we have replaced many a 17 kawi with them, even have installed 2-4 of these 18's on older 61" walk behind scags and they had plenty of juice to get the job done. They dont have the lower end torque that the twin cyl kawi has, but above 3000rpms (were mowers hang out most of the time anyway) the horsepower and torque curves are close so performance is failry equal. If your looking for a good deal, these engines are it, 2 yr wty and they perform well.

Dont know if they raised there prices yet, but i rememeber seing the PA-27512 from Smallenginesuppliers.com for less than $625.00 .Might want to check them out before ordering.

[genesis215]

Well guys, I just bought a custom 26HP Kohler Command V-Twin for $800 today. It only has a few hours on it. I think it is an EFI model. I will be putting a battery on the mower, and converting it to electric start. The engine is coming from an engine rebuilder, namely Mike Wolf out of Des Moines, IA. Do you think I got a good deal? I think it will be a monster for the 52" deck size, and I hear the fuel efficiency is really good.

[viper00085]

26hp? on a Turf tracer HP? I hope it fits. You will need a complete new electrical system wired on it for battery, solenoid and a key switch. you will also need different pulleys becasue 26's have bigger diameter cranks. And manually engaging that little clutch belt should be interesting (seeing how long it last with all that torque and power will be interesting to, they were out quickly from the slippage with just the 17-19hp engines)

I hope it works out for ya, if it does Its sure to be wicked powerwise/ but not the way I would have gone. You have made alot more work of it, than just putting a 18 single cylinder or 17 kawi back on it.

[genesis215]

The guy is going to custom make it to have a 1"x3 5/32" shaft, and he said it would fit. I know that Exmark does put 23HP Kawasaki's on these, so it should fit. He will also be including a new key switch (one that will start and shut off the engine rather than just enable it to be started), and separate choke control. He said that he would get it set up all completely rewired, and all I would have to do would be install a battery mount and battery, and hook up battery cables to the engine. At least that's what he told me.

[djagusch]

Does it come with any warranty? I think you were better off buying a new 17HP Kawi for $250 more. Less headache and less customizing. The clutch will be the first thing to wear out. He sold you what he had not what you needed.

[viper00085]

No, on Turf Tracer HP's (small frame) they use 15-19hp engines. The 20-23hp big blocks come on full size Turf Tracers (big frame). They are two totally different beasts. The full size turf tracer has a much larger engine frame that can accomidate the 20-23 kohler/kawis and there mufflers. Looking at one in the serv dept this morning, its looks very interesting if you will be able to get the big engine to fit on the TThp frame. it will be challenging, requiring some drilling and exhaust fabbing/customizing.

[genesis215]

Should I cancel the deal? I might be able to, and am kind of inclined that way if it is going to be an EFI (electronically fuel injected) engine. That WILL be high repair costs if something breaks, like an oxygen sensor, fuel injector, electric fuel pump, etc. Plus, this 18HP Kohler single cylinder will be the VERY simplest engine I could work on, with the parts being very cheap from what I have researched. I will let you know what happens, and I will call him today.

[djagusch]

Should I cancel the deal? I might be able to, and am kind of inclined that way if it is going to be an EFI (electronically fuel injected) engine. That WILL be high repair costs if something breaks, like an oxygen sensor, fuel injector, electric fuel pump, etc. Plus, this 18HP Kohler single cylinder will be the VERY simplest engine I could work on, with the parts being very cheap from what I have researched. I will let you know what happens, and I will call him today.

Short answer is yes you should cancel the deal.

[genesis215]

Thanks alot guys for raising helpful concerns about this 26HP engine. I did call up the man that I ordered the engine from, and asked him about the engine being too big to fit, too much power causing clutches to burn up, and whether it was an EFI or not. He said that all Kohler v-twins have exactly the same bolt pattern as the 17HP Kawasaki, the same external dimensions of the crankcase, and that the cylinders were the only thing that would be alot larger in dimension than my 17HP Kawasaki. I looked up the two engines, and did confirm that the 17HP Kawasaki and 26HP Kohler do have the same bolt pattern. So the new engine will bolt right up where the old one was with NO modifications. He told me that I would not have to worry about burning up the clutch since I have a manual lever engagement PTO rather than an electric. So no electric clutch to burn out. He also told me that this will be a CARBURETED 26HP Kohler (exactly what I wanted), rather than an EFI. So I am greatly relieved. I will post pics of the new engine setup once I get it done.

[kb9nvh]

Did you get this motor installed..how it did it go???