Briggs Opposed Twin. Opinions wanted.

[Bill D 1,927]

Thinking about swapping an 18 HP Briggs Opposed Twin into a C175 with a very tired KT17.  I've seen several engines for sale on Facebook.  I've also seen several Craftsman II tractors that could serve as engine donors.   I'd like to know people's opinions and experiences, good and bad.

 

I have a tired 16 HP twin on my FIL's GT1642.  Still runs great, but definitely tired.  Would a 16 HP be a better choice than an 18 HP?  The biggest issue I've seen with the 18 HP is valve seats.  Nothing else major.  Thanks again for the advice and opinions.

 

[Wayne0 471]

Well, I have a Briggs 18 twin in my '84 Work Horse which has given me no issues as long as I've owned it. Going on over 25 years. Good stout motor in my opinion.

[bds1984 1,435]

If you swap any Briggs engine in, please be sure the crankshaft has ball bearings on the crank or you will need the thrust bearing/washer in order to use the Wheel Horse style clutch.  Most B&S engines that can be on a GT1800 are a model numbers 4X2437 or 4X2447 and have ball bearings on the crankshaft.  None of the model numbers are really that important other than the ones I underlined; if there is a 3 or 4, you are all set to run a Wheel Horse style clutch on any B&S engine.  Most 16HP Briggs do not have the proper bearing unless the model number states it; Wheel Horse used a thrust bearing on the GT1100 and GT1600 engines to accommodate the PTO clutch whereas the GT1800's engine has full ball bearings like the K-Series Kohler engines so no additional bearings are needed.  The same statement applies to Kohler KT and Magnum twins as Wheel Horse spec'd an engine that can handle the axial load and only Wheel Horse engines have thrust bearings on the crank.  Kt's and Magnum Twins in any other garden tractor most likely do not.  You will probably find many more 18hp B&S models that are drop in ready than the 16hp variant.  For Kohler KT and Magnum twins, your only safe bet is to get an engine from another Wheel Horse or you wont be able to utilize a stock PTO clutch.  

 

As far as my experience, I think the Briggs twins are underrated and have received a bad reputation, mainly due to owner neglect.  I've had a few that ran great for a couple decades with relatively little issue.  I absolutely loved the exhaust snarl of the 422447 vertical Briggs my dad had on an early 90s Yardman GT.  The bad rap is mostly born out of the engines being put in A LOT of machines over the few decades (many low end brands especially) and those owners were either too cheap to maintain, ignorant of general maintenance, or just didn't care.  

[Wayne0 471]

1 hour ago, bds1984 said:

If you swap any Briggs engine in, please be sure the crankshaft has ball bearings on the crank or you will need the thrust bearing/washer in order to use the Wheel Horse style clutch.  Most B&S engines that can be on a GT1800 are a model numbers 4X2437 or 4X2447 and have ball bearings on the crankshaft.  None of the model numbers are really that important other than the ones I underlined; if there is a 3 or 4, you are all set to run a Wheel Horse style clutch on any B&S engine.  Most 16HP Briggs do not have the proper bearing unless the model number states it; Wheel Horse used a thrust bearing on the GT1100 and GT1600 engines to accommodate the PTO clutch whereas the GT1800's engine has full ball bearings like the K-Series Kohler engines so no additional bearings are needed.  The same statement applies to Kohler KT and Magnum twins as Wheel Horse spec'd an engine that can handle the axial load and only Wheel Horse engines have thrust bearings on the crank.  Kt's and Magnum Twins in any other garden tractor most likely do not.  You will probably find many more 18hp B&S models that are drop in ready than the 16hp variant.  For Kohler KT and Magnum twins, your only safe bet is to get an engine from another Wheel Horse or you wont be able to utilize a stock PTO clutch.  

 

As far as my experience, I think the Briggs twins are underrated and have received a bad reputation, mainly due to owner neglect.  I've had a few that ran great for a couple decades with relatively little issue.  I absolutely loved the exhaust snarl of the 422447 vertical Briggs my dad had on an early 90s Yardman GT.  The bad rap is mostly born out of the engines being put in A LOT of machines over the few decades (many low end brands especially) and those owners were either too cheap to maintain, ignorant of general maintenance, or just didn't care.  

Great information!!

[Bill D 1,927]

Someone had a chart that explains how to read Briggs engine numbers.  I can't find it.  Could someone repost it please?  Thanks

[cleat 6,098]

This one ?

 

Briggs & Stratton ID.pdf

 

[c-series don 8,737]

In 1984 I bought my Work Horse GT-1800 brand new to use it commercially to cut grass. I did so for 6-8 years while also rototilling customers gardens and plowing their driveways in the winter. Plus numerous other tasks throughout the year. One of my biggest wishes is I had put an hour meter on this tractor. As a heavy equipment operator I can attest how quickly hours on a machine can add up. I can confidently say that this tractor has a few thousand hours on it. I used it, A LOT! One thing that was beat into my head when I bought it was CHANGE THE OIL. And so I did A LOT! Probably too much if there’s such a thing? I remember when I would see my uncle (Wheel Horse owner and heavy equipment owner/operator) he would always ask me when was the last time I changed the oil? I still have my Work Horse and though I rarely use it anymore after I gave it a well deserved restoration, it still runs great! So I’m here to say yes I’m a fan of that model Briggs and Stratton engine and nobody will change my opinion on this. I was a kid when I bought it and I remember like it was yesterday the owner of the dealership saying that if I took care of it my kids would be driving it someday. Damn if he wasn’t right, and in a few years my granddaughter will drive it too! 

[Bill D 1,927]

2 hours ago, cleat said:

This one ?

 

Briggs & Stratton ID.pdf 48.96 kB · 3 downloads

 

That's it.  Thank you.