Kohler K241 coil.

[pipefitter]

My grandfather built a tractor in 1965. It's powered by a manual start K241 Kohler. (It also uses a Studebaker 3speed trans and rear). My brother and I have been trying to get it going, but the coil seems to be shot. The coil for the manual start is nothing like any we've seen before and is no longer available. Kohler also made a conversion kit to use an external coil, (pn237750-S), but it also is discontinued. We have had it running several times but the spark is weak and intermittent. Points and condenser are new. We'd like to keep the original engine on it, if possible. Does anyone know where to find either of those parts, or have a better idea? We have searched everywhere we know.

 

[5030]

Jacks Small Engines...

 

[pipefitter]

Thank you. We checked, but he doesn't have the coil, or the conversion kit. We're still looking.

 

[oldnslo]

Does that model Kohler use the round black plastic coil or is this the steel u- shaped that mounts by the flywheel? I suspect you are looking the u-shape. I had an old K301 with round plastic coil and was able to use an automotive one of similar dimensions.

 

[pipefitter]

Thanks for the reply. This one is under the flywheel. The "body" of the coil is some sort of dense foam rubber looking stuff. The pickups are on the inside of the flywheel. My brother and my dad had a small engine shop, and my brother has had a mobile business for about 25 years. He called Kohler technical yesterday and that's who gave him the conversion part number. But the tech guy said he couldn't find anything on manual start ignition parts. My brother said in the 40+ years he's worked on engines, he has never seen a coil like this. I wish Pop had opted for the electric start!

 

[oldnslo]

Ahh the red headed step child of engines.

since your family is in the business can they determine if the flywheel you have would accept the electric start ignition components? I suspect you have already researched this.

 

[pipefitter]

Ahh the red headed step child of engines.

since your family is in the business can they determine if the flywheel you have would accept the electric start ignition components? I suspect you have already researched this.

My brother is going to duplicate the original conversion kit. It uses the manual starter flywheel, an automotive coil, and a 12 volt battery. We shall see. Red headed stepchild is right!

 

[DutchInNZ]

An electric starter does not improve the spark quality. You might have a spark bridge (= high tension short) inside of the ignition coil windings; that happens quite often when the lacquer on the hair-thin wire deteriorates over time. Find a guy that repairs transformers and have the coil re-wound. Should not cost the world.

 

[pipefitter]

An electric starter does not improve the spark quality. You might have a spark bridge (= high tension short) inside of the ignition coil windings; that happens quite often when the lacquer on the hair-thin wire deteriorates over time. Find a guy that repairs transformers and have the coil re-wound. Should not cost the world.

We're not going with an electric starter. We haven't found anyone nearby that repairs coils, but will look online. Thanks.

 

[DutchInNZ]

We're not going with an electric starter. We haven't found anyone nearby that repairs coils, but will look online. Thanks.

Of course you also checked the spark plug connector and the HT lead. Most of them have a carbon core to suppress radio interference and that may go rotten, too. If in doubt, just try it out with a standard household electric wire for 110/230 Volts, but don't let it lean against the engine body because a good spark goes through that low-voltage insulation.

These guys say theirs is for a K241: Kohler Part # 4714502S Magneto Ignition Coil - OPEengines.com Quite pricey in any case, even with 24% off.

Some Aussies also say that they have coils for a K241, and they want one-third of that price: Ignition Coil with Magneto Electric Ignition System for Kohler K141 K161 K181 K241 K301 4775520s 47-755-20-S : Amazon.com.au: Automotive

B.t.w., if the engine runs without a battery, the ignition is a magneto where the high tension is built up with in general two magnets inside the flywheel that pass very near over one side of the coil. In '65 such system was sparked by means of points, unlike the electronic ones of nowadays. Also magnets lose their magnetism over time; check them with the flat blade of a medium size screwdriver; if they are good, the screwdriver hangs on to them. They should at least hold a small screwdriver to be ok.

How I know? Trying to get clapped-out two-stroke bikes running again in those years when I was still a snotty.