Installing new engine

[Big Joe]

OK I got a new engine for my Hustler but the mounting holes are different since the engine I removed was the original. What is the distance between the clutches center to center. I need this so I can locate and drill new mounting holes. Thanks for any help that anyone can provide.

[racerone3]

It is going to depend on the new engine. When I switched my Bigfoot from the original flat twin briggs to a vanguard, I tried using the stock belt (as I had just bought a new one) but the oil filter hit the back of the tub. I also had to build a platform to raise the engine up an Inch as the stock mount was hitting the flywheel shroud. I ended up going with a shorter belt. once I got the belt, I put it on the clutches and got the engine positioned where I wanted it, then transferred the holes to the engine mount.

[Jeff t-boss]

It's kind of irrelavent/simple. On most horizontal 4 strokes the crankshaft is centered between the engine mounting holes. So measure the distance between the OLD mounting holes and mark 1/2 way. Then you can either set your new engine so that the crankshaft is directly in line with that center mark, OR you can measure the difference between the original mount holes, and the new required holes and devide the difference equally to drill the new mount holes. Meaning that if (Simple numbers here) if the original mount holes are 6 inches apart, and the new motor holes are 8 inches apart, that means you have to move each ORIGINAL hole 1 inch out/away to compensate for the new motor. That being added to my original statement about cranks being centered should be held as true. Hope that makes sense.