leeave96 487 #1 Posted October 21, 2013 While I'm waiting to tinker with my recently aquired 520H and the potential it may need a repower, I took a look-see at this: http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/386447-WH520H-R1.html?sc=17&category=1710352 The engine is a 23 hp B&S Vanguard, around $1650 for the complete kit, including muffler. Price doesn't sound to bad - all things considered. What I expected to see was a Honda kit. Anyone repowered with a Vanguard engine? Window shopping with quesitons... Any experience you could share with the Vanguard engine would be appreciated. Thanks! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #2 Posted October 21, 2013 I've used Vanguards on my C-120 since 1990. Had a 16 HP for 20 years. I now have a 18 HP on it. The only reason I changed Is I broke the corner mount off the 16 HP and never got it welded where it did seep oil. It opened up a crack and dumped my oil and started knocking before I knew to oil was gone. I broke the 16 HP the way I broke it was I went off a bank and landed on the right front wheel. This twisted the frame and broke the right mount tab off the engine. After that I put a 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 3/8" steel plate under the engine with 1/2" x 2" x 6 1/2" spacers. I looked at the Honda engines when I repowered my tractor. I went with the Vanguard because the Honda was too wide to fit into a C-120. The Vanguard is a shoe horn fit. You have a lot more room with 520. I've post this picture before but here it is again. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 487 #3 Posted October 21, 2013 Nice - any problems with the PTO pressing against the thrust bearing on the crank? Reason I ask is I had a C-111 with a Briggs 11 hp engine and there was a thrust bearing plate against the block. Sometimes when these vendors put together a "kit" they don't always know the ins/outs of the potential issues. I like the Vanguard engines, I have one on a Simplicity and so far so good. From a replacement standpoint, they are lower cost (IMHO) than the Kohlers. Thanks! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #4 Posted October 21, 2013 I ran the 16 HP 20 years with out a problem with the PTO. The Vanguards have a ball bearing on the PTO side. I can't tell about the kits, I bought the engines and installed them myself. The C-120 has a much simpler electric system then what you have. I bought both engines with the electric system and switch installed. I just moved the switch to the tractor and made a few addition to the wiring as required. Briggs does make a Vanguard with a 1 1/8" PTO shaft I guess that is the engine in the kit. That is one question I would ask before buying the kit. I used an engine with a 1" PTO shaft and had to modify my drive pulley, I also have a sleeve inside the original PTO sleeve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 487 #5 Posted October 22, 2013 Great info - thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P3x 56 #6 Posted October 22, 2013 Looks like a good option to repower. The link info lists the crankcase oil capacity as 1.48 Qts with filter. Is this correct? Seems to be a tad on the low side for this size engine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #7 Posted October 23, 2013 I have a small engine mechanic who has over 30 years of experience and he says the B&S Vanguard is an excellent engine. He warns about some of the aftermarket mufflers being very noisy like the ones from Small Engine Warehouse. He has installed a few of their kits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
