Kohler L600 / L654 — Distributor Service and Retiming
Maintenance · Battery (distributor) ignition
For the Kohler L600 / L654, from the Kohler service manual.
Applies to: Kohler L600 engine
Procedure
- After each 500 hours remove distributor cap and check breaker points; clean with lacquer thinner and lint free cloth.
- Replace points if badly worn or pitted; set point gap at .020 inch at maximum opening.
- Every 500 hours remove the plug on the distributor housing and the plug on the drive housing and fill reservoirs with SAE 20 weight oil, then reinstall plugs.
- To retime: rotate engine until SPK timing mark lines up and compression is felt in #1 cylinder.
- With distributor removed, remove cap, rotor and cover, reinstall rotor and rotate drive gear until ignition points just begin to open with rotor positioned to fire #1 plug.
- Install distributor, reassemble cover, rotor and cap, connect spark plug leads and use a timing light for precision timing.
Tools required
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Specs & values
- Distributor point gap .020 inch
- Reservoir oil SAE 20
Source: Kohler service manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.