Repower Bolens 1250 with Kohler engine?

Dave in NY · Dec 1, 2012

Have a Bolens 1250 with a very tired Wisconsin S-12 D.I haven't taken it apart to see what all it needs yet. I would immagine it needs bored,new piston, new valve guides etc.I have a good running Kohler 12.5 Command engine on a Cub that could be used for a transplant.I know that would require fabrication of mounts and changes to the wiring etc. I am not afraid to tackle that. Just wondering if it would be a worthwhile swap? Would cost me almost nothing out of pocket,upposed to rebuilding the Wisconsin.Any thoughts anybody?

LJD · Dec 2, 2012

I have a Bolens with the Wisconsin TRA-12D. I also have a 14 horse Kohler from a Ford garden tractor. The Kohler is too high and crank OD too big and would not fit without a lot of mods. Can't say if that's the case with the Kohler S12D or not. Check the measurements. Main issue is the crank centerline height and the crank diameter. The original Bolens engines - regardless if Briggs, Tecumseh, or Wisconsin is 1" as I recall. My Kohler has a 1 1/8" OD crank.

oldhousehugger · Dec 12, 2012

I put a 16 hp twin Onan out of a sears suburban into a Bolens which had a very tired Kohler in it. The Onan was shorter and the crank bigger but I was able to turn an adapter to receive the larger crank into the front U joint of the driveshaft to the pump. It had a loader on it which ran off a pulley attached to the flywheel which I had to adapt as well. Once it was running it was a bear. Ended up modifying the steering arms which were to short and cheap cast iron which cracked. I made new out of sculpted steel and lots of wire. It had hydraulic power assist steering which sort of worked.
John

Repower Bolens 1250 with Kohler engine?

Dave in NY

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LJD

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oldhousehugger

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