Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

     Hi Gang. I've been waffling on putting a replacement engine on a 1991 Simplicity 12.5 LTH that I bought last summer with a blown motor.(Hole through the side of the block. The owner sheepishly told me he never checked his oil, but would now.) LOL.   Well I finally decided to to go ahead with it. This was originally to be a parts mower for my 12.5 LTH. Over the weekend I was cutting my lawn and when I finished I went over the my elderly neighbors yard and cut her lawn just to clean up up from the fall. She has a lawn service that takes care of it, but over the last few years, the quality of their work has gone down hill. I used to be envious of how nice her yard looked compared to mine, and now it's reversed. She wishes hers was as nice as mine. The next day she was out in her yard and my wife and I went over to shoot the breeze. She thanked me for cutting the lawn and remarked on how nice it looked. Then she said, she need a caretaker for the property and someone she can trust and that if I wanted to do it, the job was mine. She said she would pay what she paid the service, but I said no, just take care of gas money and any materials I may use on the lawn. Anyway we worked out a deal and now I have approximately another 11/2 to 2 acres to mow.  Hard to tell since I will be cutting paths through some fields and some wooded areas.Shes always been a great nieghbor, so what the heck. And now I have a good excuse to add some more OPE and not get the "Look" from the wife.  LOL 
     Anyway I want to replace the engine on the other Simplicity to have a back up LT. I want to replace the 12.5 Vanguard V-twin with a 16 hp Vanguard V-twin. I have one pretty much ready lined up online. I just want to make sure that it is a direct replacement for my engine and that no mods will have to be made. So far I've basically been told to measure the shaft and mounting holes but there are other variables within the type code. I called Briggs about 3 hrs. ago and a tech said no problem, then that it was problem, because that part of their computer program was not functioning at the time. He took my name and number and said he would call me back.   ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
     I guess what I would like to know, is there any site or would anybody know where I could find out if these engines are interchangeable.  I finished taking the old one out yesterday. Shouldn't be to hard with a matched replacement to install the  new one                                
                                     OLD---12.5 HP  Vanguard V-twin  Model 290777 Type 0410

                                      NEW--16 HP  Vanguard V-twin     Model 303777  Type 1165
Any help is much appreciated, in the mean time I'll call "Bruce" at Briggs and see if the computers running at full tilt again.
                                                                                                  Thanks,   Kevin

PS. I edited the type on the 12.5 HP. I was using the type# from my LT that runs.

    

Hi Joe. Thanks for the reply. I've checked the small engine warehouse, but never saw the repower section. My model LT wasn't listed, but you can e-mail them to check on a certain model. I have been in touch with Engines4less.com and I'm just waiting for a call from Briggs and Stratton. I got in touch with the original tech that said the type 1165 would be no problem. When I told him that 2 other techs there said it was not the direct replacement, he said he was going to check with someone else and that he would get back to me today. He was very helpful and seemed willing to go the extra step. We'll see what happens. Small engine warehouse and Engines4less are close on the price. Also, it actually seems as though my wife is accepting the idea that I may just go buy another tractor. LOL  Depends on what the final cost of the engine will be.
                                                                                                          Thanks again,    Kevin

Give us a price range kevin, we can all shop vicariously through you that way and help you find a tractor, we like that.  

     OK. $2000 to $3000. I'm basically a Simplicity fan. My last 2 have been bought used though. Conquest is a budget buster. Broadmoor is over the cap, but could be forced on me with incentives.  LOL. I like the look of the Husqvqarna XP series with the Kawasaki engines that Chris has said good things about. Are these engines proven for durability though, as the Briggs Vanguard V-twin? What do I know. Only thing is that I would like a foot controlled Hydro tranny.The Huskys don't have this. Not sure if I would like a fender mount shift lever. My current Simp has the shift lever on the dash. Convienent. I have a tendency to change speeds a lot.
     I would most likely go to a dealer as I believe in supporting the local guy. I had posted a few weeks back about finding a new OPE dealer in my area that seemed well stocked and friendly. He sells Simplicity and Husqvarna. Another Simplicity dealer and John Deere dealer are about 8 miles away. Deere dealership doesn't deal though. Take it or leave it. Nice tractors, but not sure if I'm a green and yellow guy. More red/orange. I like the Simplcity cutting system and the roller decks. Did I mention Simplicity? Well, there you have it. I would still keep the older tractor as a back up and the parts tractor for, well, parts.  OK, go ahead. Do your best to confuse me and have a nice weekend,

                                                                                                                                Kevin