"Don T.
16hp Kohlers are prone to cam slap when idled down. Since the cam is driven with a helical gear, sudden changes in crank rotation (like the lope in a 16hp at idle) can load and unload the cam gear (end to end) and make it slap the block at the end of the crank. This slap sounds just like a small knock.
The check is fairly easy, pull the cam cover and check end play with a dial indicator, if it's over the spec., Kohler makes .005" and .010" shims to bring it back (but you have to pull the cam to add them).
My 13 fin 16hp knocked like a SOB after a fresh rebuild...shop that assembled the shortblock after boring left out a shim."
Thanks, that answers some questions that I had.
16hp Kohlers are prone to cam slap when idled down. Since the cam is driven with a helical gear, sudden changes in crank rotation (like the lope in a 16hp at idle) can load and unload the cam gear (end to end) and make it slap the block at the end of the crank. This slap sounds just like a small knock.
The check is fairly easy, pull the cam cover and check end play with a dial indicator, if it's over the spec., Kohler makes .005" and .010" shims to bring it back (but you have to pull the cam to add them).
My 13 fin 16hp knocked like a SOB after a fresh rebuild...shop that assembled the shortblock after boring left out a shim."
Thanks, that answers some questions that I had.
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