18 opposed to vanguard conversion

[fmints]

Recently rebuilt my 18 hp opposed B&S, and needless to say, I'm not pleased with the power. I'm pondering about putting my old trusty 16 hp Vanguard in my Hustler for now. It may be just enough or it may be underpowered. I guess all I can do is see how she does in the Hustler. Does anyone know of a template for the engine plate that the engine mounts to in the machine. I can measure and eyeball it, but i want to see if anyone else has documented it.

[amphibious drew]

I believe the vanguard and the opposed should have the same mounting pattern. I know when I weighed from my oh160 to me 18 vanguard no modifications to the mounting plate were required. I actually just picked up an engine mount that was used on an opposed Briggs and the pattern looks just like the vanguards pattern. At some point in time the mounting holes were standardized.

[hydromike]

Brian stuffed a Vanny in his 980 last year. I don't have any idea what engine mount modifications (if any) were required. I'd be amazed if the clutch centerline matched up the same between the Oppy and the Vanny, but heck; you never know....

[amphibious drew]

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Brian stuffed a Vanny in his 980 last year. I don't have any idea what engine mount modifications (if any) were required. I'd be amazed if the clutch centerline matched up the same between the Oppy and the Vanny, but heck; you never know....

Mike may be right about the clutches centering. I had to use spaces on the engine shaft but that was easy enough.

[racerone3]

I don't have any measurements for you. Mounting pattern is different, and you will need to raise the engine one inch to clear the edges of the stock mount. I built spacer from 1"square tube and drilled the holes to mount it to the engine. Then stuck 4 bolts down through the engine into the spacer for alignment.... set this assembly in place, lined things up and tacked the spacer to the stock mount, then pulled everything, welded it solid and drlled the holes throgh the stock plate

[jpswift1]

I don't have any measurements for you. Mounting pattern is different, and you will need to raise the engine one inch to clear the edges of the stock mount. I built spacer from 1"square tube and drilled the holes to mount it to the engine. Then stuck 4 bolts down through the engine into the spacer for alignment.... set this assembly in place, lined things up and tacked the spacer to the stock mount, then pulled everything, welded it solid and drlled the holes throgh the stock plate

That's exactly what I did with my 23HP Vanguard in my Hustler BIGFOOT.

[fmints]

Drew, Mike, Brian and JP,,, thanks a lot. I'll let you all know how it all plays out. Thanks again guys!!

[Dan67]

That's exactly what I did with my 23HP Vanguard in my Hustler BIGFOOT.

Pretty much the same as mine too. Set everything when I had the frame out of the tub. Mounted the T-20, Slotted the stock engine plate for adjustment, centered it on the frame. Dropped the engine in with the clutch on it, Measured it for clutch offset. Marked up spots for the mounting bolts and gr8 studs welded onto the engine tray, added the spacers, then engine. Lock nuts on the engine side.

[fmints]

Ok, so it has been a while since my last post about the conversion,,,,,,, it went very well!! The 16hp is a good engine for the 980, but the "ol trusty" 16hp that I own, was phenomenal for the 980. But,,, I feel the need of more power,,, more torque,,, so, a bigger engine it is! What good is the name "Hustlemaniac", if it's all Hustle and no Maniac? So daddy had to get the boy a new heart, and compared to "Ol Trusty", the 23hp Kohler is bigger, and meaner looking, especially since its all black! I guest we will have to see if new heart is compatiable with the Hustlemaniac! Here is the pic 2012-04-18093307.jpg picture by fmints - Photobucket. I just finished the 1''x1'' engine platform for the kohler. All that is left is to throw it in. More to follow.