How much Compression in a Vanguard 14hp?

[savage 40]

I'm off to get my next 6x6 tomorrow.. the seller just informs me that it smokes a bit when he just started it.. he didn't mention it last week.. but he had to put a fuel pump on it today.. he lives in the desert... which brings to mind desert dust... So the big question is how much compression should the Vanguard 14 hp have in each hole? I'm taking my gauge wiith me.. and if it needs rings and honing how tough is that? Any which way i'm getting a smokin' deal (literally) ... he gave it the old.. " the rings may need to seat as it hasn't been started in 6 months".. it's a 2002 Max II.. the rest of it looks good... and I have my fingers crossed the T20 has never been refilled with gear oil.. he says he never touched it since he's had it .. he got it in '05.. So whats a good number to look for on my compression gauge?

[Roger S]

Dunno on a #, they should be close to each other. Maybe you can pull the air cleaner and see if the carb's been eating dirt.

I'll guess a 100 lbs or less on an average engine. A wild guess.

rings and gaskets a $100 plus.

bore and pistons..etc well opening a can of worms on a questionable engine. Buy it right and afford to fix or replace the engine with something bigger.

He never did anything since '05? like change oil?

[REGGIE MILLER]

Hello, it will need 110 psi min, it should have 155 or more, the two cyl. Cant be more than 10% apart on comp. Anything close to 100 or less will need rebuilt.

[mark m.]

The smoking could also be a sign that the valve guides are worn. It's just another thing to consider.

[Roger S]

You know, I realized that thing won't show much of anything on the compression gauge, since the compression release is holding the intake valve off it's seat. You'd have to loosen the lash way off, and the looser you made it the more the compression would rise.

Better off doing a visual, watch the crankcaase vent tube while it's running, rev it and see if it sprays oil down the carb throat. Even then it could be vent related. But you'll probably be able to see what kind of overall condition he's kept it in.

[lewis]

There is always the consideration of a new motor, if you decide to step up a notch. Mike the site administrator has installed a bandolero engine into his Max II and max IV. That thing is fast and Jennifer's machine has a ton of low end torque. These engines are actually no more than a stock engine. When on sale they are much cheaper than a stock engine. This would really put some horses in the back for hill climbing/mudding or racing. Just a thought before you decide on maybe a rebuild. Options, options, options.

[thebuggyman1]

There is always the consideration of a new motor, if you decide to step up a notch. Mike the site administrator has installed a bandolero engine into his Max II and max IV. That thing is fast and Jennifer's machine has a ton of low end torque. These engines are actually no more than a stock engine. When on sale they are much cheaper than a stock engine. This would really put some horses in the back for hill climbing/mudding or racing. Just a thought before you decide on maybe a rebuild. Options, options, options.

How do you tune/ adjust the clutch for a motor such as this? 30 H.P. sounds great, but wouldn't it make the clutch for the 14 H.P. close way too quick? or is this why people change to the red spring on the driven half?

[Roger S]

Use the compression gauge, when it shows low, shake your head and say, "Well, it's down on compression and it smokes.. I think the engine is toast. Let's negotiate the price"

Buggyman, my experience with added HP on existing cvts is, the clutches limit the rpm of the new engine close to what it was originally.

[thebuggyman1]

Roger, am I understanding right? It is more or less self regulating? So just bolt it on and have fun?

[Roger S]

You can bolt it in and go. If the new engine has a higher rpm range a guy might want to tune the cvt however.

The bandelero sounds good at $1500, but stock engines aren't as high as some have said ($1700 for a 18hp vanguard) I see an 18 for $1200 and a 23 for $1350. I might want to buy the 23 and spend a couple hundred on it instead.