It's video time

[Don]

Great video, Roger! I get the feeling this isn't the average Argo.

[whipper-ag]

[techfx]

I sure wish I had seen this thread before 11/14. On the 14th I ordered the DVD's from Copeland simply because it was convenient at the time to pay with Paypal. I now have a dispute opened up with him through Paypal. The one good thing is Paypal almost always sides with the buyer and I should get my money back. If not, he's just on the other side of Cleveland from me and maybe I'll go get my money or the DVD's in person. Stay tuned...

I've had my Paypal dispute opened since aug/sept. can you get my refund too?

[George]

That Argo sounds like fun Roger. I especially enjoyed the shot with camera onboard.

[Roger S]

Whipper, the engine is the stock 18 vanguard +

replace all the valve train but the valves

longer, stronger rods that move the stock sunken dished pistons up, so a compression increase is free.

send the cam off to North Carolina for any grind you want

blend the ports and valve pockets in the stock heads

decent exhaust

Also put a 2 barrel and manifold on it, but that was not a major power increase. It needs a real starter now. Doesn't have the Hodge roller rockers, stock ones are weak. I didn't get anything from Al, it's all from other sources. These mods will work on the 14-20 vanguard. The 23 rod and piston, combustion chamber is different and not as simple/economical to build. But of course it's worth it as the yellow spider shows.

[hydromike]

I just keep wanting the darn thing to shift up a gear. It just sounds so natural that it should. Upshift Roger!, UPSHIIIIFFTT!

Still the meanest sounding Argo. Period. Great video...
~m

[Meinfield]

That briggs sure sounds good. Where did you purchase the parts if not from Al? I am trying to build sources for vanguard performance engine parts. Thanks!

[Roger S]

Mike. Yeah it sounds like it needs another gear. It has the lowest of three overall gear ratios argo built. The argo distributor told me I'd need it at high altitude with tracks. Has worked out good though, with taller tires and stuff. On the field it sounds a little low geared, but on the trail it needs what it's got now. That engine is hauling a full load of onions in that pig, 1100 lbs and a lot of rolling resistance. Some night I'll swap it into Schwabs maxII and set it free for a day.

Meinfield, parts are from the lawn mower racing, tractor pulling, junior drag crowd. The mowers are limited to 20 hp blocks, so that's their focus. Lots of guys love Al, and his stuff is top quality. If you have more time than $ and can build it yourself, there are parts available for less, and more cam options, etc for the smaller vanguards. I'll ask my buddy if he knows any sources besides Al for the big blocks. They are new so there's less aftermarket development.

[Meinfield]

Thanks for the info Roger. The big blocks are fairly new and I think engine builders are still developing aftermarket parts. Give a shout if you find any other sources.

[McCoy]

Roger,

Who did you have grind your cam out here in NC? I think it's about time to give my Bigfoot a little more giddyup.

McCoy

[Roger S]

Precision Cams is the company. I can find their info if you can't find it in a quick search. I was told they can do a big block vanguard. Also, now, at least the small vanguard cams they make are not regrinds. He didn't have any sources for other big block parts. McCoy, my briggs mentor in is eastern Tennessee if you want someone to build it. Either way you need an overall idea of what it needs in the way of parts to stay together if ya rev it up.

[McCoy]

Roger,

Where in eastern Tennessee is he at? I'm less than 2 hrs. from the NC/TN state line.

McCoy

[Roger S]

Dickson area..

[mudbug3]

great Argo action in the snow

This asian man is really enjoying his argo in the snow !

[mudbug3]

Argo humanitarian aid video

I found this humanitarian aid video of an Argo being used to bring food to flood victims in Costa Rica . This video shows how versatile the 8x8 Argo avenger is !