Hustler 980 I/C

[Noel Woods]

That Briggs 18 HP I/C engine was one of the best amphib engines out there. Very advanced for its day and they respond well to tuning.

[kghills]

Had to pick the 980 up from the center of the body to flex it enough for the factory cage to mount up. Spent the morning with the heat gun warming up the mount areas and the center lower and upper body halves. I'll let it hang a bit to cool and hope nothing pops when I let it down off the hoist.



Keith.

[kghills]

Took a couple pictures of the factory T-20 braces on the right side of my Hustler. I believe them to be factory issue. I have checked all the bolts and everything is tight.


Here is the right side upper front.


And here is the right side upper rear. It runs towards the back and attaches to the frame.


I know there is a lot of talk about the T-20 walking out of the frame on the Hustlers. With my machine being a very late production unit I think these braces were part of a solution to the problem. I plan on just adding a duplicate of the front top right brace to the left side and calling it good.

Keith.

[highrollinmopars]

Its looks very similar to the mount I built for mine.

[bushhawg]

Hi Keith I saw your video here on your 980 IC Hustler and saw that you have an exhaust sleeve out the side like mine. Today I'm trying to replace my drive belt but cant get to it because of this sleeve. There's no clearance on the side to slide this sleeve off. Some help? PLease!

[kghills]

Hi Keith I saw your video here on your 980 IC Hustler and saw that you have an exhaust sleeve out the side like mine. Today I'm trying to replace my drive belt but cant get to it because of this sleeve. There's no clearance on the side to slide this sleeve off. Some help? PLease!

I was able to force mine past. It was a struggle, but I was able to do it. I don't really remember any kind of "trick" other than cursing and threatening it as I worked to get it on.

Keith.

[bushhawg]

OK I'll load up on the threatening and the cursing! I'm no mechanic so I was a bit timid on that part before. Didn't want to end up with a worse problem than I started with.
Thanks Keith