DZG 32 #1 Posted September 10, 2022 (edited) I know this is a wheelhorse forum...and i dont own a wheel horse but... I have a vintage Yardman (1977ish) tractor that has massive sentimental value and would really like to get running. The reason im here is it needs an engine. Its an 11hp, L head horizontal briggs model # 253417. I literally cannot find ANYTHING on these engines. It has low compression and gouges in the cylinder wall. I need at minimum a bare block but would prefer a bolt in ready to go engine. What brings me here is i believe i can use the somewhat more common model 252417 block like whats in my 78 MTD 860. This engine was also used in the wheelhorse C111. I think i could actually even use the 252 engine complete with some slight changes. The 253417 seemed to only be used in Cub cadet 1100's and Bolens G11xl's. This yardman i have ive been told is rare as its a model 14910 with an 11hp and Peerless gear drive. Most my style had 16/18hp twins with hydros. Ive browsed the classifieds on this site, craigslist, ebay, all the usual suspects and came up with zero. Does ANYONE know any places i could look? Im getting desperate here lol. Attached are a couple pics of the tractor. Thanks in advance. Edited September 10, 2022 by DZG 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,324 #2 Posted September 10, 2022 If the plan is to just use it as a drive around and pull a cart type unit then any vertical shaft engine should be able to work. You may have to drill a hole or two and some of the ignition wiring and engine control cables may need to be changed to accommodate the new engine. Good luck with your project. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,516 #3 Posted September 10, 2022 While finding a direct replacement engine may be daunting, finding a nice Wheel Horse to totally replace the Yard Man should be fairly easy. 3 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,347 #4 Posted September 10, 2022 I need help... Don't we all !! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZG 32 #5 Posted September 10, 2022 I do have a horizontal wisconsin S12D sitting around i believe should run. How much messing around would it take to put that in? Or a K series kohler? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,916 #6 Posted September 10, 2022 @DZG! I am a couple hours NW of you. I have a couple Briggs engines in the corner of the barn. I’ll check on ‘em later today. The one I’m thinking especially came out of a Craftsman of the 70’s or 80’s vintage. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,324 #7 Posted September 10, 2022 6 minutes ago, DZG said: How much messing around would it take to put that in? Or a K series kohler? How skilled are you with torches, welders and wrenches? Anything can be done with a bit of imagination and tenacity. 2 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,916 #8 Posted September 10, 2022 @953 nut I could see how that works, except I feel like whippet doesn’t have enough torque to overcome the bush of hair that the reel will gobble up in the first whack. He also needs a leash to keep him in place. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZG 32 #9 Posted September 10, 2022 54 minutes ago, Pullstart said: @DZG! I am a couple hours NW of you. I have a couple Briggs engines in the corner of the barn. I’ll check on ‘em later today. The one I’m thinking especially came out of a Craftsman of the 70’s or 80’s vintage. Perfect thank you! 42 minutes ago, 953 nut said: How skilled are you with torches, welders and wrenches? Anything can be done with a bit of imagination and tenacity. Thats the problem...not so much. Ive always been pretty good at finding things to work where they arnt supposed to, but fab is not my fortay. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,761 #10 Posted September 10, 2022 (edited) This should be the manual for your engine. The list below is what pointed me to the above manual for your model. Edited September 10, 2022 by oliver2-44 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,347 #11 Posted September 10, 2022 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: How skilled are you with torches, welders and wrenches? Anything can be done with a bit of imagination and tenacity. A classic "Rube Goldberg" type of device that takes the long road for the short trip. Quite ingenious, really - and entertaining. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Freightliner Guy 1,327 #12 Posted September 10, 2022 Welcome to the forum nice tractor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #13 Posted September 10, 2022 3 hours ago, DZG said: The reason im here is it needs an engine. Its an 11hp, L head horizontal briggs model # 253417. There are a lot of options for your tractor. Don't get discouraged if you haven't found anything yet. You could go with a newer engine from Carroll Stream company... but that may require some modifications on your end. Anything is possible, welcome to the forum! Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatingman 971 #14 Posted September 10, 2022 Can you take some pictures under the hood? or at least hood open and both sides of the machine. Do you need to drive a mower deck? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatingman 971 #15 Posted September 10, 2022 From here it looks like almost ANY horizontal shaft motor with the same shaft size and similar HP could be made to work. Or one of a smaller shaft and a bushing to get to the drive pulley, or just a new pulley of same OD that fits the replacement motor 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZG 32 #16 Posted September 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Snoopy11 said: There are a lot of options for your tractor. Don't get discouraged if you haven't found anything yet. You could go with a newer engine from Carroll Stream company... but that may require some modifications on your end. Anything is possible, welcome to the forum! Don I ran across carrol steam when i was looking. Are the decent motors? I read that the electric start one was out of stock though. 1 hour ago, Heatingman said: Can you take some pictures under the hood? or at least hood open and both sides of the machine. Do you need to drive a mower deck? Yes i can....probably tomorrow. Its in my dads polebarn at the minute i gotta go out there tomorrow anyways...and negatory on the mower deck, i just want to get it running, paint it up, etc. 1 hour ago, Heatingman said: From here it looks like almost ANY horizontal shaft motor with the same shaft size and similar HP could be made to work. Or one of a smaller shaft and a bushing to get to the drive pulley, or just a new pulley of same OD that fits the replacement motor I believe its a 1 inch shaft. If i turn up empty on finding a briggs id like to look into maybe a K301 kohler? I wanna keep it period correct if i can. Just the wireing is the biggest thing that scares me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZG 32 #17 Posted September 10, 2022 Sooooo i may of gotten lucky. I dont have FB so i didnt check marketplace but a buddy just sent me this.... https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4894205437363660/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #18 Posted September 10, 2022 1 hour ago, DZG said: Are the decent motors? I read that the electric start one was out of stock though. They are absolutely decent engines if you decide to go that route. Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,424 #19 Posted September 10, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, DZG said: Sooooo i may of gotten lucky. I dont have FB so i didnt check marketplace but a buddy just sent me this.... https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4894205437363660/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post You don't necessarily have to be a FB member to be able to look at their marketplace ads... You can go directly to https://facebook.com/marketplace and look around, at least for a while until FB stops you. But now that you have this link from your friend, save it as one of your "favorites", and then you can go back to it any time you want and do other searches from there if you want. Items will eventually be sold, or removed, so save some other items as favorites and you'll always have a supply of links you can use later (as long as they're active). This works on a laptop for me, I don't know what happens on other devices. Edited September 10, 2022 by tunahead72 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZG 32 #20 Posted September 10, 2022 Well that guy flaked out on me...oh well. The search continues. BTW...thanks for welcoming me in and helpin me even if i aint got a WH. As friendly as yall are i might buy one when im ready for yet another project 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatingman 971 #21 Posted September 10, 2022 Dont get stuck on just finding a motor. You could likely find a running garden tractor or snow blower or tiller from the same era with a motor that will work for the same money or less. That is if you dont mind expanding the scope of the project. As far as market place, I find that to be the sole purpose of FB. just set up some bogus account name linked to a junk email address, and your off to the races. My facebook page for example has almost zero personal information about me, no pictures of me or my family, etc… 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blasterdad 2,692 #22 Posted September 10, 2022 10 hours ago, 953 nut said: then any vertical shaft engine should be able to work. It has a horizontal shaft engine in it, that won't work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,324 #23 Posted September 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Blasterdad said: It has a horizontal shaft engine in it, that won't work. Went by information on the internet and it showed vertical, sorry about that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,916 #24 Posted September 11, 2022 3 hours ago, DZG said: Well that guy flaked out on me...oh well. The search continues. BTW...thanks for welcoming me in and helpin me even if i aint got a WH. As friendly as yall are i might buy one when im ready for yet another project Is this of any use to you? I bought the tractor at a charity type auction in WI. @WHX?? and @Achto saw me drive it around. It was quite a powerful bugger once I threw my battery in it! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatingman 971 #25 Posted September 11, 2022 4 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Is this of any use to you? I bought the tractor at a charity type auction in WI. @WHX?? and @Achto saw me drive it around. It was quite a powerful bugger once I threw my battery in it! What an odd location for a main power terminal for the starter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
