440 kaw to 4 stroke Briggs

[applejack]

this sounds like the right place to post my question(s). i have an early maxll with a 440 kaw that locked up.ive been told "nobody" can get rebuild parts for this engine anymore.

i have seen the engines on ebay, and at different places, and there are sooooo many different model numbers for 18hp engines its confusing.

can anyone tell me the proper model number i need? i realize i'll need a different drive clutch and other stuff, but i'll cross that bridge when i get to it.

[Mike]

I moved your post to a thread of its own but wanted to make sure I titled it correctly. Are you planning on putting a 4 stroke in your 6x6?

[applejack]

thats right,i was told no one can get parts to rebuild the 440. so now im looking at the 23 hp briggs vanguard, 386447-0079, but one has a convertible throttle and the other with the same p/n has a fixed throttle???? i am confused.

[Mike]

It sounds like one was used on equipment that only required the motor to run at a constant speed. As for the existing motor, there are still parts out there. These were used in everything from snowmobiles to aircraft. If you want to keep that motor, post a wanted ad in the classified section and someone may have what you need or at least be able to tell you where to get the parts.

[Mpolly500]

Check craigslist often. This time of year there will be a ton if snowmobiles with those motors in them cheap. The drifter model has that motor an there are a few others. I bought an running sled for around $100. I have the motor for sale but the sale depends on a trip I'm planning right now. If I make the trip I promised it to someone else. I will know if I'm going or not in a couple weeks

[applejack]

i had a local independent shop tell me he could rebuild it for $500, which is the most economical (cheapest) way to go,and the 440 was really fast. but i have been looking forward to some good old low end torque. decisions decisions......maybe i need 2 of them. thanks

[amphibious drew]

Dont stop with 2, it takes at least 3 to have a fleet and there are so many different machines to buy. The big max is pretty cool, so now you need a max iv, a hustler, an attex, maybe a gotcha, and why not get a max ii with the 4 stroke from the factory while your at it. The big max would be a pretty sweet racer.

[applejack]

so i checked craigslist last week, made a trip to northern ohio on sunday and came home with a running, electric start 1980 440 kawasaki. when i got home and looked it over, i decided to keep it as a snowmobile. my1st one. so monday i went north again and got 1979 440 kawasaki. that is the donor sled for the max. and i got both of them plus an extra drive clutch (for what its worth) an extra crank, a spare 440 block, 1 head, a coil and cdi unit for waay less than a new briggs.

so here i am a new member for less than a month and the forum has already helped me. thanks.

[applejack]

well another change in plans, looks like im gonna be a snowmoblie owner. we finally got snow here, and have been riding both sleds. wow! are they fast. anyway i took the max motor to a shop to get rebuilt, so we'll see how that goes. so far i have $775 in sleds for donor engines, that run fine as sleds, and more $$ to come for the rebuild. I NEED A KEEPER!

[applejack]

jeesh! the guy that made up the saying "1 step forward, 2 steps back" must of had me in mind. both jugs on 440 junk. $700 to fix. back to the kaw sled for engine. got it out last nite, found motor mount holes in case too wide for adapter plate from original engine, could weld extension to widen plate. then noticed because of oil injection pump location, the clutches wont line up. also cylinders are not interchangeable. so it goes back today.

the other sled isnt injected, and has the same type of adapter for motor mount, but its rope start. will see if cylinders are interchangeable with original, (of course thats not going to happen). man kawasaki sure made a bunch of different 440's. oh, well back to the garage.

[fasteddiesllc]

Check craigslist often. This time of year there will be a ton if snowmobiles with those motors in them cheap. The drifter model has that motor an there are a few others. I bought an running sled for around $100. I have the motor for sale but the sale depends on a trip I'm planning right now. If I make the trip I promised it to someone else. I will know if I'm going or not in a couple weeks

and I am still wanting it...just waiting on you...drop me a note or call me..

[hydromike]

Hey AJ,

Do you have the ability to strip the one 440 of the oil injection and just mix up your own gas/oil? I'm unfamiliar with the injection setups on the 440s you're talking about, but on most of the oil-injected engines I've had the chance to work on, the pump was able to be RTFO'd (ahem.... "taken off..." ) and the engine's operability was unharmed..

[applejack]

the guys on the sled site say not to do that because the center bearing wont get lubed. the guy i took the original max 440 to says do it. but anyway the crankcases are different.take injection housing off no bearing retainer to put back in its place. i have 3- 440's in the garage and all 3 have different crankcases. have 1 more sled outside to bring in and compare.

[hydromike]

Yeah, if your injection system is feeding the center bearing, then it's not such a good idea.

The old stuff I work on has always had an injection tube on the short intake manifolds, so it just saved folks from having to premix.

[jessieherrera]

Hello,
I'm doing a swap on my Attex 500 Super Chief. I took out the 2 stroke Japonese motor and put in a Briggs 18 HP Vangaurd. Most likely the only concerns that you may have is the height of the motor and the shaft size. Some early Japonese motors had tapered shafts. Go with the straight shafts. You will need to find out what shaft size clutches are available for your trans/steer unit belt. 1" are common. Most likely the belt clutches are of a common belt size and type. Log onto Briggs' website to get the shaft dimensions for the clutch. All this information should be there. Get the shaft type, diameter, length, and keyway size. Once you have the information on the clutch just match it up to the engine shaft specs. The Briggs specs will tell you which engines (Model Numbers) have these shaft sizes. Once you have the engine model numbers shop accordingly.
Consider some of the more low profile motors such as the Briggs Vangaurd. You will have to make your own air cleaner intake and exhaust system. The air cleaners on the Briggs may be too high as well as the exhaust not proper. The wiring is easy.
Their website is Lawn Mower Parts & Small Engine Parts by Briggs & Stratton There should also be an archive or older engine section. They will also send you a free catalog.
The Gates Rubber Company
900 South Broadway
Denver, CO 80217-5887
Phone: 303-744-1911
Region 15
1306 E. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92805 USA
Phone: (714) 634-9110
Fax: (714) 634-9344