Bought my first Argo,,Quickly don't like it as much as my Max2

[RICK55FLA]

I got a 2012 Frontier 650,,it has been sitting outside for a couple of years. Doesn't seem to be hurt. Needs a good cleaning. It came with a set of Escargo tracks. Tires are good. Can the upper body be removed like on a Max? Starter solenoid is bad so I'll fix that in the morning.
How difficult is it to change an engine in one of these?

[Laird]

Depends on what engine you want to put in. If you are going to replace the engine with the same thing , it is an easy swap. Something else can be a total nightmare. You have to be concerned with your drive line, wiring, exhaust etc. Depends also on your mechanical abilities, place to work on it, tools, etc. And your budget. For every dollar you figure on spending......add about 50-75 percent more. The top on the older ones are just rivetted on. Don't know about yours. Probably. If it has a rubber ring around the outside of the tub, just look under that.

[AZSkibo]

Assuming you have a four stroke Vanguard of 16/18HP, you can direct swap a 23HP Vanguard in as plug and play. They’re like $800 new so pretty easy swap. Anything else will require fabrication, but given these things are dead simple in their construction, it’s not terribly difficult beyond making the few things necessary to swap. If you’re just looking to replace the old tires motor, I’d go this route. Having ridden in a MaxII I’m a little surprised you don’t like the Argo as they’re similar enough but the Argo has better fit and finish. My opinion.

[RICK55FLA]

If I can't get the Vanguard running I may swap to a Predator 670. Right now it has so much trash around the engine from a rat, it's hard to see down in the engine compartment.

[449fitter]

The vanguard are good motors from what I read. Clean fuel system real good , including carb if it was sitting with fuel in it.

[RICK55FLA]

We got it to turn over and fire on starting fluid, so the carb comes apart today. Having no luck finding the correct rebuild kit for the carb.

[RICK55FLA]

We got it to turn over and fire on starting fluid, so the carb comes apart today. Having no luck finding the correct rebuild kit for the carb.

After spending most of today taking the carb apart,,searching for the correct Overhaul kit ( even the Argo kit is not the same as what I have) Don't know if the carb has been changed??? Etc. I ordered a kit, will be here tomorrow. If I can't get this thing running tomorrow, I'm ready to cut my losses and get rid of it.

[449fitter]

Rick did you try a small engine repair shop to see if they have a lot ? Or look at Amazon they may have kit or carb replacement.

[RICK55FLA]

Rick did you try a small engine repair shop to see if they have a lot ? Or look at Amazon they may have kit or carb replacement.

yes, went to my local shop and they couldn't find it either.

[Ruffus]

There may be another option. Lectron carb, best carb I've ever seen or used. Once set up it's practically like fuel injection, silky smooth acceleration & increased fuel economy. It actually felt slower on acceleration because it so smooth, when in reality it was quicker. Much more user friendly than a typical carb. No idea if they have a model for the argo engine, but no doubt it could be easily adapted. Had it on my bike, if I had gotten an Argo with a carbed engine, I guarantee you a Lectron would have been in my future.

[RICK55FLA]

Update, we got a carb kit,some pieces were right, some not. Installed new vac pump and got it started. Tranny works fine ,steering is ok , brakes ok,,BUT this thing is slow as Hell !!! even in high range my Max will run circles around it. When trying to turn, even at full throttle it almost stalls the engine ??? I'm not looking for a racer , but damn , this thing is a Dog..
My carb has both the throttle and the choke on the same side toward the steering/ trans side. I have not been able to locate a replacement and my Model and serial numbers don't even show up on the Briggs parts sight. Model 386447 1144-G1 ...11061511 any ideas ??

[mfenmor]

Update, we got a carb kit,some pieces were right, some not. Installed new vac pump and got it started. Tranny works fine ,steering is ok , brakes ok,,BUT this thing is slow as Hell !!! even in high range my Max will run circles around it. When trying to turn, even at full throttle it almost stalls the engine ??? I'm not looking for a racer , but damn , this thing is a Dog..
My carb has both the throttle and the choke on the same side toward the steering/ trans side. I have not been able to locate a replacement and my Model and serial numbers don't even show up on the Briggs parts sight. Model 386447 1144-G1 ...11061511 any ideas ??

Make sure your drive belt is tensioned correctly. This will cause slow top end and sluggish low end.

[RICK55FLA]

Make sure your drive belt is tensioned correctly. This will cause slow top end and sluggish low end.

Thanks Mike,,,my low end is good,,this being my first Argo,,wasn't meeting my expectations. My last Max2 is a hard act to follow. 2cyl-2 strk 38hp Kohler with a Mod'd carb.

[john swenson]

no wonder it runs circles around the argo ....it sounds like the max really goes !! j.b.