I have no experience with the Kohler SV470 engine, Redeye. It is a more complex design than the Intek. I dislike the balancing mechanism it uses, which is rather similar to the old Briggs Synchrobalance, with large reciprocating weights operated by eccentrics on the crankshaft. The Synchrobalance tended to be unforgiving of low oil levels or failure to keep the oil clean. The Kohler has pressure lubrication and a car-style spin-on oil filter, but you still have to check the oil level, and change oil and filter at the recommended intervals, or it might end badly.

The other aspect I am a bit wary of is that the engine uses two camshafts inside the crankcase, operating the OHV rockers through pushrods, rather like some of the 1950s British motorcycles. In Kohler's case however this has enabled them to use a metal cam, riveted onto a plastic cam gear, pinned to a separate steel camshaft. This picture from the Kohler workshop manual also shows the automatic compression release mechanism:
[Linked Image]

The gerotor (i.e. Hobourn Eaton double eccentric rotor) oil pump, which has a plastic body with metal rotors, is threaded over and driven by the intake camshaft. See picture, also from workshop manual:
[Linked Image]

I would be interested to hear how your Kohler stands up to commercial service in the long term.

Last edited by grumpy; 22/07/13 03:21 AM. Reason: Add detail