Would you ? repower 1450 with vanguard ?
 

I have a nice like new B&S Vanguard 18 hp, that I have been thinking of putting on my Cub 1450. My Kohler 14 hp is ok, however it's lost some power, it runs good when I get it to run, it needs a wiring harness, and a lot of the air duct/heat shield sheet metal is missing, and needs the carb rebuilt. However the rubber mounts are in good shape, the motor does run good, and other than the electrical wiring part it's in good to great shape.

What I'm thinking is I could update my mower, I think the 18 hp Vanguard would be a great long lived engine, and quite as well, I also LOVE the idea of the simple electric part on the Vanguard, I'm not used to working on the older stuff with points etc, however I'm not throwing off on this system, as it has lasted so long. Also that is one nice built piece of cast iron. So if you were to pull the motor anyway being you were going to take it off for a for a "restoration, painting, cleaning, and to rework the drive shaft, and wiring etc" would you just go back with the Vanguard, and not make any modifications to the mower in any way ? I would make an adapter plate for the motor to sit on, if it turned out to be what I wanted I would also try to modify the side panels to work with the Vanguard. I have to wonder if the old heap of cast iron Kohler is not built like a tank ( I know it is) and have as much or more power than the Vanguard 18 horse ?

Also has anyone else noticed how the older Kohlers stink ? I mean thins in a literal sense of smell, we have 4 all together, and they have a bad exhaust smell when running.

I would rebuild the original motor. It'll most likely last longer than that Vanguard. It will also have more torque than the Vanguard. The exhaust smell is just the nature of the beast. No emission controls on these, obviously.

The frame may need to be cut so the crankshaft lines up with the driveshaft. PTO clutch may be a problem too. You will get more power from the Kohler tan you do a Briggs as Matt said. Kohler is cheaper to rebuild than a 2 cylinder Briggs too.

You'll also lose your side panels if you use the B&S.

Scott

16 Twin Vanguard conversion
 

I just finished my conversion of the 17 HP Kohler to the 16 HP Briggs. Tractors speed is like a scalded rabbit now. Not sure why the speed is so fast now. Not much torque at low rpm as mower stalls engine. More rpm and it goes great balls of fire with my 50 inch mower deck.

Hal - flyhal@yahoo.com

If you use a twin II B&S the side covers might still fit. And ive never stalled it mowing.

Remove a Kohler for a B&S? Not this guy..........

I like the way the old single Kohlers smell. The sound+smell= Classic cub cadet that brings back so many great memories. I wouldn't change it myself. I agree with Matt G.

My repowered 1210 :biggrin2:

the way your post is worded I can tell you want to do it, so do it. :)