Motor for hustler?

[boncrshr]

Hi all,

My name is Scott, just found this board. I am the proud owner of a Hustler I bought for 200.00. This has been a long term project, you know how those go. the machine has been completely torn down, frame painted, straightened and strengthened. I had new axles with new sprockets made that have keyways instead of the bolts, rollbar, new bearings, chain, and tires. Brandon Price rebuilt my T-20. The last thing was the motor, and I was going to start re-assembly. Once the motor was apart, according to my small motor guy, it is going to be prohibitively expensive to fix (18 HP Briggs I/C). Any of you guys have thoughts on where to get a good used motor, or have one yourselves? 18HP+? I promised myself I was going to have it ready by hunting season this year.

Thanks, Scott

And BTW, I will have a few re-assembly questions once I get started. Nice to find this board.

[Mike]

Hi Scott! Welcome to the boards. Good to have you hear and it sounds like you are almost to the point of enjoyment with your Hustler. Post up some pictures if you have them.

I'm no help on the motor but I just wanted to welcome you. Have fun!

Mike

[liflod]

What is wrong with the engine? Cost prohibitive? A new one is over $1000. May be worth getting the parts and fixing it yourself. If you have to pay someone $50 an hour, the cost is more than double what it would cost you. The repair manual is only $12.

[jpswift1]

Scott, Thanks for joining up with us and Im glad to have another Hustler owner here. Do you have some pictures of your Hustler? I have a Hustler that is probably similar to yours. Does the exhaust on your Hustler exit through a rectangular opening on the side of the upper body? Is yours the Hustler 980 BIGFOOT with the 26" tires by any chance? I know that Hustler used the Briggs I/C 18HP twin from 1982-1985. Take a look on ebay for those motors. I have seen a few of them sell for around $250-$300 in good running, ready to go condition. If you have any questions, I have the Briggs shop manual for those engines and I would be glad to help you out. It sounds like you have a very high quality restoration under way. I hope it all goes smooth. I am just about done with my Hustler 980 BIGFOOT restoration, but maybe we can help each other along so our machines can get put back together better than they when they were new.

[boncrshr]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the responses. My small engine guy said the crank was bad, pistons were scored, and the starter was missing teeth. I prolly should have checked the motor sooner, and I could probably do the work myself, but now I am on a time schedule as hunting season is approaching. The motor was an unknown quantity as I had never had it started.

I did some checking today, and I am going to order a 20hp Honda from Tulsa Engine Warehouse.

I do have some pics of the teardown and frame and new axles. I will post them tomorrow. As far as it being a bigfooot, I have no idea. I basically saved a Hustler from junk...it had 22" tires on it when I bought it. I bought a new set of Kenda Bearclaws, but now I don't know if that was the right decision. I may eventually go with tracks as I do some hunting on the coast, and the marsh here can get pretty rough. We have had to walk 4-wheelers out before.

My main concern at this point is getting a motor in quickly, as I will have to fabricate the motor mounts while the frame is out and then start re-assembly. Hopefully, I can get everything together by mid-September before teal opener.

BTW, I have already found some great tips on this site. I may scuff off the paint and Swastika under the paint (No seriously there is one, I picked it up in Alabama) and try the heat gun trick.

[Mike]

I may scuff off the paint and Swastika under the paint (No seriously there is one, I picked it up in Alabama) and try the heat gun trick.

Scott, that is one of the funniest (and saddest) things that I have read. As for the motor, good luck with it and I hope you get it done in time for hunting. Let us know how it goes.

[jpswift1]

Take a look on ebay for the Briggs rebuild kits too. Also, before you order that engine, if you plan on using the same clutch that is on the Briggs, take a look at the diameter of the shaft. Im guessing the Briggs has a 1" shaft. Make sure the Honda has a 1" shaft too so you dont have to buy another clutch. That 20HP Honda would be a nice motor in your Hustler. Good luck with the paint removal, and Im glad you saved an old 6x6 from being junk. You wouldnt believe some of the things that people put on these machines over the years, but this is the first time I've heard of a Swasticka (spelling?) on one. I'll have to add that to a list of odd additions to 6 wheelers along with 8 track players, roll bars made out of shopping carts, etc etc.

[boncrshr]

Hey guys,

I uploaded some pics to my webshots account, I will try and take some of the new axles soon.

Hustler pictures from outdoors photos on webshots

Thanks for the tips on the motor...I've decided to bite the bullet and order the Honda, they have pretty good prices, and as much as it will be used, it will be one less worry.

As far as tires, I will see. At this point, with so little experience, I am kind of just guessing. Actually getting out and testing will be key....

Hydro...kinda like the Confederate flag huh? I guess I could tell people it meant that near German quality engineering went into building the Hustler?? Who knows who put that on there though, and even how many owners this thing had....

[jpswift1]

Nice work on that Hustler build! Shes going to be a beauty! I have a question for you about the exhaust, does it exit on the upper part of the body on the side?

[boncrshr]

Thanks....the exhaust exited out the back through a screen grating. With the Honda, I am considering routing the exhaust out the back and put the muffler outside the body somewhere to lessen heat. Maybe??? Again, I am mentally benchracing and don't know if this would be of any value. The Honda does not come with a muffler.....if I could find the proper exhaust flanges, I was thinking of using a motorcycle muffler?