23 hp briggs

[john swenson]

hey friends, will the 23 hp vanguard fit in my max 2 without any major modifications ? i have the 16 hp in there now and it's time for a new motor. thanks, j.b.

[amphibious drew]

It should bolt right up. The biggest issue is getting the right exhaust set up.

[john swenson]

thanks drew, i found the specs ( lxwxh and mount hole pattern ) almost exact. i'm thinking i can modify the 16 hp manifold to bolt up and use the stock muffler where it is. sound o.k. ? thanks j.b.

[Noel Woods]

From memory, I think the manifolds are different, I cant verify that as I no longer am encumbered with a B&S 23hp. The two I had were nothing but problems, which always struck me as strange because I've had several B&S 14, 16, 18, 20, and 31hp motors and they were mostly problem free. I would rig up a cold air plenum if you are determined to use a 23.

[john swenson]

noel, i did'nt realize there were problems with the 23 hp vanguard. maybe i should stay away from them. the 16 has served me well for 15 yrs. maybe the 18 0r 20 would be better ? thanks j.b.

[john swenson]

anyone else had experience with the 23 hp vanguard ? problems, etc. thanks again, won't buy till i get some feed back. j.b.

[msafi65]

I like the 23 horse Briggs but most have been a max4 where cooling isn't an issue. The bolt pattern as well as the spacing on exhaust manifold are different.

[john swenson]

thanks again. i'm o.k with a manifold fab. sounds like the cooling is the issue. any feedback on the 21 h.p. ? j.b.

[amphibious drew]

The 21 and 23 are the same block with different carbs. The 20 is the same as the 18 with a different intake and carb.

[trevorakm1]

I just put a 23 in my argo bigfoot and no issues. I did add a couple of small fans to draw heat out of the engine compartment. I placed them at the inside opening of the exhaust box close to the muffler. I had problems with the 18 I had in the argo as the heat would cause idle issues always requiring me to tweak the mixture. I think it was specific to that motor though.

[john swenson]

thanks trevor, i just don't want to spend ? 1400 or so on the wrong motor for my max 2. there is not that much price difference in the 21 hp vrs. 23 h.p. also where does one buy parts to fab up a new manifold ? thanks again everyone johnboy va. if there are any better suggestions on a motor let me know.

[Noel Woods]

I really like the Kohler, hydraulic actuated valve adjustment makes it nearly maintenance fee. I have a 20 HP Kohler in a Max2 and it feels pretty close to perfect, and I'm a guy that feels the more power the better.

[Mike]

You can purchase the exhaust flanges online fairly cheap and use those to either adjust your existing manifold or add new exhaust pipe to.

[thejunkman]

I would look into the kohler i dropped in a 23 in a max 2 years ago and yes it ran hot up here in Maine all the new maxs run Kohler so parts like exhaust heast shroud cold air intake is available , I was going to swap out my 18 for a 23hp briggs in my Argo bigfoot but I went with a 23hp efi kohler it fits but tight had to go with a oil filter relocater kit.

[trevorakm1]

John I would look into the Kohler motors also if I were to do it again. I just came across a great deal on my motor brand new. I followed all Noel had to say about his experiences with his argo and they pretty much mirrored trouble I was having with my 18 HP. I put a lot of thought into trying to avoid the issues he ran into and the issues I was having with my 18. The engine compartment is just not ideal for these air cooled motors and heat builds up. I like to keep the machine as original as possible for resale and didn't want to modify the upper tub. I got a second hood and modified that by adding a scoop hoping to force more air flow into the engine compartment didn't help with the 18. I think with that hood and scoop and now the fans pushing air out the engine compartment is much cooler. With the 18 after running the hood was very hot to the touch now it is still warm but I lay my hand on it without a burning sensation. I'm happy with my motor for now and the install was easy for me, wouldn't call myself a mechanic. I haven't heard of any issues with the Kohler motors compared to what I was hearing about the B&S 23 after I bought it. Your situation will be different with the Max set up so I would follow Noel's recommendations as he has experience and ownership of many different rides.