Vanguard challenge

raydhd

Here is a theoretical posting. Say I find a smoking but not knocking 23 hp vanguard for $300.Lets also say I tear it down and find the pistons cannot be reused but the cylinder bores are ok.What else should I check? What would a real life rebuild cost in parts? What speed equipment should I add during this tear down.What will this cost? Thoughts?

BGW

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slonomo

I would say you could easily buy a good running cond engine for less than $400. That's the route I went. I actually have two, so I will use one, then slowly build the other one little by little so my wife doesn't find out how much money I will be spending on it....wait....did I just.... Oh well.

Hopefully, in said scenario, the block/cylinder bores are good and just need cleaned up. Rings are cheapest on the list. Pistons, not cheap. Full rebuild, I'm guessing probably in the $300-$400 range, but that's just a guess really. Hopefully someone has some actual sources that can save you some money.

hookm

Couldn't find 23 but 16-18 on ebayhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Rebuild-kit-for-BRIGGS-STRATTON-TWIN-CYLINDER-16hp-18hp-/380684328543?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a28d de5f-$124

MrNeon

I'm in that situation now. I bought a used 21hp motor that they did not know if it ran so I pulled the plug. Crank turn fine but I heard a snap but never started it. Took off the heads and found a broken valve and busted piston. Tore it down, redid the block, new piston on the way...found a machinest that can save the damaged head...so far so good, not over $600..yet LOL But, I am putting in good parts and a rev kit and removed the governor as well. I figured if it blows after I abuse it, then I am not out too much as long as I had fun...

slonomo

I'm learning that in stock form the Vanguard engines don't like to rev past the governor, say 4000 rpm. I see lots of them with damaged pushrods and rocker arms, and now busted pistons. So, I think on mine I'll keep the governor on. As for my spare engine.....that's a different story.

Glad you are still in the game. Once you get that thing going, go easy on it. Don't over rev it, don't abuse it, and it'll last a long time.

smokindawg

Taking the governor off isn't the cause of the damages done to these engines, it's not knowing when to let your foot out of it that makes things break and fly apart.



I'm still debating whether to take if off this 25hp Kawasaki or leave it on.

MrNeon

[QUOTE=smokindawg;1131968]Taking the governor off isn't the cause of the damages done to these engines, it's not knowing when to let your foot out of it that makes things break and fly apart.

Ill have a tach on board once I install the engine. Doubt I'll be doing laps in the neighborhood..more likely I'll be on the mud trails.

Speaking of over reving, even with the rev kit, would springs be on order as a precaution or are they not needed unless I do install a hot cam instead of using the stock cam. My 21hp is pretty much a 23hp minus a carb tweak from what I understand. I thin kit may be a jet or too difference. I am thinking of a mild cam and springs as well since the motor is still assemble. I really don't want to tear it down again because I am not happy with the performance. If I kept the motor basically stock with rev kit and dial the clutches in, I would assume that would make a difference as well? I have the CVTech powerbloc clutch to got with this motor and stock Yamaha rear driven with Plowmans black torque spring but will install the stock spring once complete. I was thinking about getting the Plowmans machined driven clutch instead.

nobuckbuild

valve springs are not optional when it comes to reving over 4000 in a vanguard they are mandatory along with billet retainers otherwise you will destroy it , the biggest problem with the pistson issue it lack of fuel at high rpm if you are running 4000-4500 rpm the single barrel carb cannot supply enough fuel to keep the engine from getting even leaner than it already runs and the pistons melt from overheating

MrNeon

My 21hp is an odd ball from what I am told. It has a 2-barrel carb so in theory it is a 23hp. Everything in this engine is the same as a 23hp. Just trying to figure out the difference that makes it 2hp difference.

sho305

Most people say you can run a vanny or kaw to 4500-5K all stock if you are a little careful. But if you burning pistons on a 4 stroke with the stock crappy carb then you are beating it without mercy. Should have a rev kit if you are going to rev it hard, its your fault if you don't, and you have to jet or use better carb on all of them once you change the exhaust/airbox or rev it high. They are built for 3600rpm. The clones also go lean at high rpm, you jet rich and they are too rich at lower rpm lol.

I ran my G9 without a governor lifted with 22s (which gears it higher) for 15yr or something, ran it to top speed every day I ran it. But I never ran it WOT down a hill for more rpm, never held it WOT for more than say 30 sec at top speed. Never had a problem with it.