Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): john deere, hp kohler, kohler engine

Question
i have a 2004 john deere 42 inch L110 lawn tractor, it has a 17.5 hp kohler which is no good,(locked down)I also have a 2008 poulan 42 inch lawn tractor with a 16.5hp briggs and straton. my question is. Is everything gonna line up correctly if i swap out the engine from the poulan to the john deere? such as shaft length, engine mounting holes,etc... thanks in advance for any advice you could give me on this matter!!!

Answer
The engine swap should work but you may have to do some minor wiring.  Without seeing and measuring both engines I can't tell you for sure.  I can tell you that most rider engine bolt patters are the same as well as most of the crankshafts and wiring connections.  These sizes allow both the engine manufacture and equipment manufacture options that are good for both companies.

Before swapping the engines make sure to identify all the Kohler engine wires, what they are and what they do.  I would do the same for the Briggs engine as this will help when you go to wire the different engine.

Check out the Briggs and Strattion Engine Replacement guide available on the Briggs site.  The guide describles how to install and wire a new engine.

Let me know if this helps.

Eric