I'm building a log splitter and found a Vanguard V-Twin motor on Craigslist for 300 bucks. It's off a roof cutter, guys says it purrs like a kitten and he can start it to let me listen. He doesn't know how many hours, nor does he seem to know much about the history of the motor other than he bought it for his tractor but then found a Kohler instead. Can anybody give me some info or advice on the Vanguard? Good motor or not? Anything to look for? Thanks!
Vanguard 16hp V-Twin motor?
- Thread starter sw18x
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mostly_gas
Super Member
Both my neighbor and I have that engine, mine on a Simplicity built mower, neighbor on a grasshopper, both over 500 hours. Both showing some wear such as puffing oil at start-up. Neither of us have done anything but change oil and spark plugs. Hope that helps.
OhioCowboy
Silver Member
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- N. Ohio
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- KIOTI CK3510se HST Open Station w/FEL, RK24 HST w/FEL & Backhoe, DEAD-NH TC33D HST
I have one in many pieces in a box in the barn. It was on a generator. According to the B&S repair shop, I didn't use it enough to keep the valve stems lubeb and they rusted. I was out of warranty by about a month. So they wanted $900 for the new heads plus labor since the valves and seats are not a repairable item-must be replaced. Too much for me! I had only paid $1200 for the entire generator from Northern. I've avoided B&S and their repair shops ever since that day in the 90's. To make it worse, they wanted $250 to put the pieces back together like it was when I brought it in for the estimate.
smstonypoint
Super Member
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- 5,820
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- SC (Upstate) & NC (Piedmont)
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I had one on a 42" Snapper RER that I used for ten years before moving up to a ZTR two years ago. I'm guessing that it had about 500 hours on it before I gave it to my nephew. Other than having to once fiddle with a fouled carburetor, the engine never gave me any problems. Come to think of it, I don't remember ever changing its spark plugs. My nephew hasn't had any problems as far as I know.
Steve
Steve
BobRip
Elite Member
I have one in a Northern Generator. It is about 16 years old. I run it for 20 minutes every two weeks, just like the manual says. Generators are particularly bad because they may sit for years uneeded. My Honda generators says run every three weeks. I tell people don't bother to get a generator if you are not going to exercise it. You are wasting your money. I don't think it matters who makes an engine, it has got to be run. I also load up the generator with two electric heaters. There are many failure modes:
1 Fuel clogging carb
2 Generator windings soaking up moisture and shorting out.
3 Valve corrosion.
4 Wrong connector on house wiring. A friend found this out at his firsts power outage.
5. Etc.
Test often and occasionally tie it in to your loads.
1 Fuel clogging carb
2 Generator windings soaking up moisture and shorting out.
3 Valve corrosion.
4 Wrong connector on house wiring. A friend found this out at his firsts power outage.
5. Etc.
Test often and occasionally tie it in to your loads.
glc24
Platinum Member
I had one on my old Speedex 1631 for 9 years. Only problem was having to replace the starter bendix gear (plastic) after 5 years. Not sure of the hours but I'm sure it would have been close to 1000 hours on it. I have nothing bad to say about that engine.
Greg
