Scrambler Engine Upgrade

[West Side 6x6]

HELP!!! I have a 1970 Action Age Scrambler model 1200 that I am wanting to replace the engine in. Can anybody tell me what engine would be the easiest to swap for this aplication. I am going to buy a new motor and would like to upgrade to a higher horse power model. I am thinking of going with either a 16 or 18 hp Vanguard, but if somebody has done this type of engine swap I am interested to see what engine may be best suited for this. If you would like to e-mail me direct it is ski-doo-guy@hotmail.com Thanks for helping me out with this project, hopefully I can keep the cost under $1,750????

[tlp]

HI west side 6x6
welcome to the site and the new to you scrambler I have the same machine I think
I have sent you a pm
I am also from the Muskegon area we should get togather and compare notes
tlp

[REGGIE MILLER]

Hello, i also have a scrambler, i installed briggs v-twinn 16hp the only mod i had to do is add a motor mount plate to move the motor back. It fits under the body and the rear seat. I have more that enough power and speed. Thanks reggie

[Brant]

Hey Reggie,

got ant pics?


Brant

[West Side 6x6]

Reggie, I have looked at the 16HP Briggs and the dimensions for motor length just will not fit. I was looking at the Briggs 16 Vangaurd V Twin and it says the length was 15" and width was 16" with a height of 17". From the measurements I have the width at 16" shouldn't be a problem as long as a plate is frabricated to set the engine as far back as possible. What I do question is the width? I measure a maximum of 13 1/2" from the end of the shaft to the side frame giving 1/2" clearance on the side frame. What was the model number of the briggs motor you used?

[thebuggyman1]

Hi Al, Why are you looking at replacing the 12h.p. if it runs ok? I woud think this would be enough power untill you put aggressive tires on and go in the sticky mud. From the 1 scrambler I've seen, there is not a full frame. Is the body strong enough for that?
You might be better off with milder tires and the 12 h.p. motor. ??????

[LarryW]

I must say that we had 7 guys hanging off my brothers yellow marc XII with stock 12hp tecumseh and it ran over hills, climbed the motorcross table top and crossed the shallow creek and climbed the bank on other side. It was an awesome ride, lol. They have lots of power. Most of these machine do. Its all in the gearing. I had a 8hp tecumseh in a attex st300 and I had the power to drag me around and climb and stuff. I never really got to test it out completely because it had bald tires but it had a heck of a lot of power for a 8hp.

[tlp]

Hi guys
I put a 11hp in mine and have plenty of power I did have to modify the tub a little I bumped out the side so the recoil had some room then made a small turtle shell looking cover out of chicken wire and fiberglass and sealed and bolted that in place water tested with no leaks I got a little drips around the rivet holes in the body but not enough to worry about more water comes in from the tire spray I have medium aggressive tires on [they dont swim]but the 11hp does a good job of getting me any where i have gone so far
tlp

I must say that we had 7 guys hanging off my brothers yellow marc XII with stock 12hp tecumseh and it ran over hills, climbed the motorcross table top and crossed the shallow creek and climbed the bank on other side. It was an awesome ride, lol. They have lots of power. Most of these machine do. Its all in the gearing. I had a 8hp tecumseh in a attex st300 and I had the power to drag me around and climb and stuff. I never really got to test it out completely because it had bald tires but it had a heck of a lot of power for a 8hp.

[atvrider93]

The biggest I would go with is a 16hp as thats the biggest that they came with stock. I had a 12HP honda clone in mine that gave it plenty of power to do anything I wanted. I climbed a fairly short but probably 60* little hill at one point and it pulled it up that fine.....until the clutch pads gave way

[West Side 6x6]

Thanks for the replies and interest to all. The reason I am doing the engine swap is that the 12 HP in it seems to be sluggish trying to start it on a nice warm day. It has the altenator/starter combo unit and since I plan to use this thing mostly for ice fishing, I do not want to be 3 miles out on the ice wondering how many hours or better yet days it will take to push it back to shore. I would rather go with something that I know will fire right up and not have to worry about. I have looked at single cylinder motors, of the same basic size as the stock motor, and I figure if I can squeeze a V-twin in it, for a couple of hundred bucks more why not?

[critical_mass]

Hello, nice to see a couple scrambler owners from Michigan, Im from lansing, have owned 3 scramblers, down to 1. My scrambler 1000 has the original 7 horse and its so sluggish I can barely haul anyone in the back. This winter Im puttin in a new motor, so let me know what you come up with west side, Im thinkin about a 16 horse honda, everyone swears by the honda motors.

[Jeeper]

Another Scrambler owner from Michigan here. Mine (or I should say my kid's) Scrambler model 1000 has a B&S 8hp....it seems to have lots of power. Gets up and moves nice with three people onboard.

Steve