Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Kohler CV14S-1445 Engine from Craftsman Riding Mower (AYP), sears craftsman riding mower, bolt size
QuestionI recently purchased a used Kohler Command engine from a engine reseller to use on a Simplicity mower. The original engine was a Kohler Command CV14S. The "new" used engine is also a Kohler Command CV14S, but different spec. no. (1445). Other than the muffler arrangement, for all intents and purposes the engine was an exact duplicate to the original Kohler engine that came with my tractor. The problem is, the bolt that is used to mount the PTO and pulleys to the motor shaft (screws into the bottom of the motor shaft) is not the same size as my original engine's motpr shaft bolt. It appears to be smaller in diameter than the original bolt. The Simplicity operator's manual refers to this bolt as a cap screw. I can't seem to find the correct bolt size in any manual online. Kohler doesn't include the cap screws (or motor shaft bolts) in their parts catalogs (even for this engine), and because I don't have the model Sears, Craftsman riding mower that the engine came off (which was apparently made for Sears by American Yard Products), I am having difficulty finding the correct bolt size information. Can you help? Thanks
Jim from Louisville, KY
AnswerA cap screw is just a bolt with a shoulder around the head. Stick a pencil in the hole. Notice how much space is around the pencil in the hole. Use your finger on the pencil as a gauge to see how long the bolt needs to be. Now, take your pencil to the auto parts store and buy the 5 or 6 bolts he has that are close. Get metric and American. American course and fine thread. Now don't be surprised if the parts guy looks at you like you are an idiot when you carry in your pencil. remember you are buying 6 or 7 bolts. What's that $4.50. Hey if you're a tightwad you can even take the bolts back you don't use.
If you haven't installed the engine yet, flop that sucker on the parts counter and say "I need a bolt to fit this hole"
