Briggs & Stratton

[RickM]

Hi all. I just picked up,what I think is a Hustler. Not sure what model we have but pretty sure it's a hustler. Anyway did they ever come with a B&S motor. We think ours is an 18 Hp motor. I know we are missing some parts but I am wondering if it would be better to simply buy a new motor. Thanks in advance.

[ARGOJIM]

Yes 18hp opposed twins.

[RickM]

Ok. Thanks. That's helps. There are no manufacturers names on this thing.

[racerone3]

should look something like this. if it is a 980 bigfoot, there will be an exhaust duct going out a large rectangle hole in the left rear of the upper body

[RickM]

Well, I have this thing dropped off to get the motor running, but I'm a little anxious that I might be better off simply putting a newer motor in it. Anyone know if there are any direct plug and play options as motor replacements? Thanks.

[racerone3]

I bet a flat twin kohler would bolt up, but you are looking at something of the same vintage. a V-twin will take a little work but that's not a terrible thing. the stock hustler motor mount had no provision for belt adjustment. it's pretty easy to modify for that and to bolt something like a Vanguard in there. you may also have to adapt wiring, throttle/choke connections, and fuel supply as well as fabricate an exhaust. The flat twin briggs is a great engine if yours turns out to be in good shape. they have tons of low end torque

[RickM]

The issue with my engine is that I'm not sure what's missing and how hard it will be to find those parts. I quest I will see what I hear back first.

[dirtdobber]

Post some pics. Someone on here can tell you what's missing.

[RickM]

This is our beast.

[RickM]

These are the parts I am worried about.

I am thinking I might be missing an air filter.

I am also being told my throttle cable is a no go.
Lastly. I am really bummed the guy before us cut up the plastic so much. I am hopping to take it to a place and have it plastic welded.

[Coldfoot]

Looks like a Sidewinder. Distinctive Sidewinder colors.

[dirtdobber]

You are definitely missing the air filter. That is a Briggs opposed twin engine and if it is set up like mine, it is also missing the disc shaped cover that fits immediately on top of the air filter. Then, the square top cover (which you have) fits on top of the air filter housing. So it goes like this: air filter housing base (attached to carb, which you have), then air filter, then air filter cover, then a hold down nut, then the housing cover (which you have), then another hold down nut.

It bothers me to no end that people butcher the bodies of these machines. It can be fixed.

[dirtdobber]

air cleaner.jpgHere's an illustration of the air cleaner setup:

[RickM]

Looks like I have the air intake back together correctly.

Can someone give me a few thoughts on how to actually start and drive these things. Specifically starting it. Is there a choke or a way to properly engage anything to fire it? Then specially as it relates to the transmission. Is there a gear shifter knob/parking brake, etc.? Common since would tell me how to go forward and turn etc but a walk though would be forever appreciated, as we did not get our owners manual!! Thanks.

[ARGOJIM]

Looking at this picture, the handle in the center of machine pointing up is the parking brake ( which may not work) and looked to be in the off position in photo, the handle to the left is the shifter ( looks like neutral in photo) up is reverse then neutral then all the way down is forward. You can watch the transmission shifter diamonds on top of the trans to confirm, diamond straight across is neutral, pointed forward is forward and back is reverse.

It looks like the choke cable may be tucked under the body in this picture and it heads to the indent in the body where it would be normally, next to the switches.

As far as starting, place in neutral apply the choke, turn the key and apply throttle if necessary. As far as driving in forward you have to Push the sticks forward to go and back to stop, one stick controls each side of transmission, to go backwards place shifter in reverse and Pull Back on sticks to go and Push forward to stop. You may and probably will have to rock the machine back and forth to get the trans to shift, it may also take a small burp of the throttle, but you always want to try to shift at IDLE as gear clash will occur if engine is at higher rpms. If there is a fuel shut off valve be sure it is on and you have gas.