1976 Kohler K295-2AX

The Hunter · Post by **The Hunter** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 7:04 pm

Hi guys, first post!

I've got a K295 engine i'm trying to get running for my 76 JD 300 snowmobile.

I've resealed the whole engine and while it was apart I honed the cylinders. I'm was hoping that it would reseat the rings good enough for some decent engine operation. I've got around 90-100 psi compression, which when I actually get the chance to run it for a few miles will likely improve, right now it will run a bit with no load and then die out.

Is there a CDI upgrade available, I find points to be very flaky. It had good spark, now nothing.

It's got one of those KEI carbs, it seems to be the my main problem, It has the fuel pump built in, and a return line. This carb managed to flood the engine with raw fuel very badly, between the 2 cylinders we drained probably 100 cc or more of fuel. Why would the return has a tiny jet like fitting with the number 40 on it? We drilled it out and that seemed to solve a little bit of the problems we were having, but it still floods out very easily.

What is a good stock compression reading? 120?

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 7:51 pm

I just tested a 76 300 last week at 145. One other one after a rebuild with new rings went 160.
I think yours is in need of rings.

DLDeere · Post by **DLDeere** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 11:20 pm

The stock carb on that engine is a Walbro. Has a different carb been put on it?

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:56 am

first you need to get rid of that carb those are used mainly on early yamahas Ive had many probs with them and rebuild kits are hard to find. In my opinion I wouldnt worry alot about your compresion if it will start and run good. I have had a few of these kohlers with low comp that still ran I dont know why maybe its the small cc or something but Ive seen them run on readings that most other 340/440s wouldnt even start on. Ive got 1 of these motors on the shelf that I rebuilt prior to pulling it out of my 73 300 it had 75lbs per cylinder and still ran pretty well. Honestly I only swapped it out because I had another 1 to put in.

The Hunter · Post by **The Hunter** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:52 pm

I think I have a walbro carb that would be stock, i'll post some pictures later of what I have. I had no idea if this carb was factory or not, I picked the engine up used, as is, kind of hard to figure out what's what after 32 years of "repairs"

On the plus side we did have it idling very nicely when it was running.
What type of lube should I put on the points wick (in the stator), I think my choice of 10w30 oil is causing the no spark problem I mentioned above.

Thanks so far!

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:22 pm

'76 300 sn 55,001+ Walbro WDB-31, John Deere part # AM52876.

The Hunter · Post by **The Hunter** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:30 pm

Here is the Walbro carb I have, I can't find any writing on it besides the Walbro name on it.

And this is the carb I have on the engine

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:57 pm

The Kiehen Carb you have on there now is from a Yamaha sled. The linkage for the oil pump is still hanging on the left side.

Your Walbro carb is a WF series. If it is jetted for a small displacement engine it will work. Note that this carb does not use a return line. The original Walbro WD does.

I see a large break in your engine cooling shroud. This leaves only two bolts holding the shroud on the engine. This may rattle a lot.

The Hunter · Post by **The Hunter** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:35 pm

Only jet I could find in the carb was the plug on the bottom of the float chamber, it is a 0.068.

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:54 pm

Like Todd stated the wf walbro you have may work most likely its off a 340 kawasaki motor from an early 70s arctic cat these are kind of a rare breed themselves not many sleds used them and most likely it needs a rebuild kits are available. The biggest problem in using a non deere carb is getting the cables hooked up. In my opinion I wouldnt mess with this wf carb. Id look for a correct wd walbro on ebay or maybe someone here has 1 to spare. If you cant locate the right carb Id look for a tillitson HD carb these are about the simpelest vintage carbs to tune also if you find 1 from an early ski doo the throttle cable hooks up farely easy.

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:30 am

The "floater" carbs that Walbro built were used on a wide variety of vintage machines from several brands. Scorpion used them almost exclusively from 75-81. Late model Raiders came with them. Most 74-75 Cats had them. In fact Cat offered a update fit for Kawasaki T-1 powered twins used in 71-73 that feature the WF carb.

Everyone has a preferance when it comes to carbs. Some will only use Tilleys. Some choose Mics. Even here on our beloved Deere's there is the a debate as to whether the PowerJet's are the way to go.

Let's face it they are all good carbs as long as they are jetted correctly and kept clean.

I did note that the WF pictured above has the cable bracket in the correct position for a Deere and has standard eyelets for the stock Deeere cables. If this cab had come from a Scorpion it would have had that goofy cable hook-up on it and required a different cable. Then there would be throttle lever travel issues to deal with.

With all that said if Hunter's sled is heading in the restoration direction than put the WDB on and kept it stock.

The Hunter · Post by **The Hunter** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:55 pm

I found the WDB-31 carb!

However it's missing a low/high adjustment screw,the thottle shaft, choke shaft, and the plates for them too.
It's also missing the bracket that goes on top to hold the cables in place.

Going to be tough to locate those parts in our pile of stuff lol

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 11:23 pm

The WDB-31 only had a low speed adjuster on the side. The high speed hole is plugged.
Very few WD carbs have the high screw.