v twin 16hp in a scrambler?

[flippy]

I just paid $300 for a 1979 wards gilson tractor that I was told had a new 16 hp briggs engine.It does run good.I removed the engine and tried the fitment in the scrambler.It seems extremely tight unless I raise the engine up .I am going to need to fab an engine cradle etc.Now would I be better off just buying a 8hp new briggs?The tractor is a hydro drive and the briggs has a large blower housing that goes around the whole engine.The engine is a 1992 model so its not new like the seller stated.Can anyone recomend some pics I should look at in the gallery?The engine frame in the scrambler seems pretty whimpy for a 16hp engine.

[LarryW]

The first vehicle I ever drove was a Wards brand Gilson garden tractor. I was 4-5years old. We still have it in the family. Is the motor really a v twin? The wards tractor I have is a '70-'71 I think, but the oil pan is part of the front axle so it wouldn't work. The later model scrambler manufactured scramblers(not action age) used a tecumseh oh160 in them and those engines are beastly heavy. I know there was a few different engine frame designs. The one I had that originally had the oh160 on it was tweaked pretty bad.

A v twin will work but an oppose twin will be really tight and you will need to raise it up off the frame for it to clear the back of the machine.

[flippy]

Yes this is a gilson tractor.It is my 2nd .I already have 1 with an original 16hp 1 cylinder and yes the oil pan is part of the frame and a real pain to do oil changes.The one I just bought was a 18hp 2 cylinder originally but the rod broke and the guy bought a 2 cylinder 16 hp 2 replace it.I removed the engine and it was made to fit the tractor as it fit perfectly .The oil pan on the replacement engine bolted to the frame but it came right out with the engine after removing 2 bolts.I was wrong in stating v twin it is a flat twin or oposed.It looks like I would have to raise it and mount it directly above the clutch shaft.I just dont know if I should built a seperate structure to mount the engine and then not mount it to the original clutch shaft engine mount frame,and if I dont where would I bolt the homemade engine frame to?The sides of the body rear hitch bracket?Words of wisdom from the experienced I appreciate.Briggs model # 40217 type 1020 01.

[LarryW]

I had an oppose twin 18hp I thought about putting in a scrambler but decide not to for worries of it being to close to the rear. I though if I put it up some, with 2" spacer/square stock on top of the original frame I could get it to work but decide not to use it and used a kohler k181 8hp engine instead. It worked fine and was fun. My brother has an all original scrambler 1200 with original hh120 in it and that thing has plenty of power. We had like 6-7 guys all hanging on it one night cruising through the woods!

[flippy]

Yes I should have stuck with my main plan of putting a new 11 or 8hp engine in it.I saw the gilson tractor just like mine for 300 and with an engine upgrade and bought it just thinking I could drop it in.I will probably end up reassembling the tractor.I have the exact same thought of using square stock and mount itabove the original frame and re inforce the belly somehow.