New engine for a Swamp Fox

[broncofiresmith]

I have a Super Swamp Fox that I thought about selling but decided to keep it and use it. It has a Oh160 in it now, it runs fiune but is loud to run. I have decided to do an engine swap in it to either a Vanguard 23 horse or a Koehler 22 horse engine. I would like some thoughts to which one you would go with and if you think the difference will be noticable. Thank you and great site.

I have contacted Richard Relic about doing the conversion also. Any thoughts on that too?

[Mike]

If the loudness is your only concern what about a different exhaust instead?

If you want more power too (and who doesn't) then either engine would be sufficient. I'll leave the Briggs vs. Kohler debate for another time. There are probably a couple of those threads around if you search the site.

For swapping the motor if I were you I would do it myself and save the $$$ for something else. There are lots of people on here that could help you if you got stuck. I don't know anything about the swamp fox other than what I have read from other members here but with that said it seems that the worst part of the swap would be fabricating engine mounts if you can't salvage the current ones and maybe having to relocate the exhaust.

Perhaps a Swamp Fox owner can chime in. Oh Don, paging Don.

[Amphiman1]

Swamp fox

I have a Super Swamp Fox that I thought about selling but decided to keep it and use it. It has a Oh160 in it now, it runs fiune but is loud to run. I have decided to do an engine swap in it to either a Vanguard 23 horse or a Koehler 22 horse engine. I would like some thoughts to which one you would go with and if you think the difference will be noticable. Thank you and great site.

I have contacted Richard Relic about doing the conversion also. Any thoughts on that too?

There are much more knollegable people than him that aren't trying to sell you overpriced items like Don for example, i agree he is one very qualified person...

[lewis]

Don has a Swamp Fox. Excellent reference there Amp.

[Amphiman1]

swamp fox

Don has a Swamp Fox. Excellent reference there Amp.

thank you Lewis you are most gracious

[Don]

The OH160 is a great little power plant in my opinion, but a little weak for the heavier machines, although I've seen one perform and they went anywhere we went in our machines (though not nearly as quickly!). Swamp Fox offered a 25 HP Onan oposed twin that was better at powering the big machine. A 20 to 25 horse four-stroke (biting my tongue really hard) would be a great engine for the machine. If you're handy at all with a torch and a welder, motor mounts are a piece of cake.

[broncofiresmith]

The OH160 is a great little power plant in my opinion, but a little weak for the heavier machines, although I've seen one perform and they went anywhere we went in our machines (though not nearly as quickly!). Swamp Fox offered a 25 HP Onan oposed twin that was better at powering the big machine. A 20 to 25 horse four-stroke (biting my tongue really hard) would be a great engine for the machine. If you're handy at all with a torch and a welder, motor mounts are a piece of cake.

Thank you for your help.

[greggv2007]

engine swap

I replaced the Tecumseh OH160 in my Argo with a 18 hp briggs, the motor mount had the same bolt pattern. Not sure if the bigger motors are the same, but it isn't a hard change up. Make sure to measure the center to center distance of the clutches and keep it the same ,or you will be searching for a belt.

[broncofiresmith]

engine or not?

Trying to decide if I want to spend approx $2400 in an engine transplate or sell the Swamp Fox and look at getting a newer used machine. The Fox is in good condition but it is mid 1980's. Not sure if I ever try to sell the Fox after the engine transplant if I would get close to my money out of it or people would still consider it as buying a 1980's machine. any thoughts?

[Swamper]

broncofiresmith,
I have a 1983 Argo and earleir this year replaced my OH16 HP Tec with a 16 HP Briggs. It was an easy swap for sure and I only paid $1,200.00 for it. I did what greggv2007 did and located the clutches centre to centre so I could use the original belt. Pretty sure I could get my money back out of it if I sold it. What all is the 2,400.00 going for?
Cheers,
Al

[broncofiresmith]

I don't have the time to do the engine transplant myself so I am planning on Richard to do it $1795 engine $95 exhaust and $400 labor. While it is there I am planning on having him look at the t20 to make sure it is adjusted right.

[Amphiman1]

wallet transplant

I don't have the time to do the engine transplant myself so I am planning on Richard to do it $1795 engine $95 exhaust and $400 labor. While it is there I am planning on having him look at the t20 to make sure it is adjusted right.

YIKES!
I'll bet you could find another Swamp fox already done for 1500.00....

[broncofiresmith]

engine

I am now leaning to have it done local or by myself. I can get an engine for about $400.00 less from small engine warehouse.com. Do you know if the engines need to have any special features for six wheeler use?

[Mike]

Do you know if the engines need to have any special features for six wheeler use?

No, nothing special about them. Just make sure you get the right shaft size for your clutch. Also for a little less money you can get a 30HP motor from 600 racing that would be a little more fun. http://www.6x6world.com/forums/engin...ro-engine.html or like you said source another motor yourself and save some money. Really it's not very complicated and wouldn't take you too long to do yourself if you are comfortable with jumping in there.

Like everything in life it boils down to how valuable your time is. If you do it yourself you could probably save $600-700 and have it done in less than 8 hours total.

[lewis]

Mike is right, gave you some good advice. You can do this yourself and learn a few things about your machine and when all is said and done.....you did it yourself!