Replace Kohler M-18 with B&S Vanguard?

[Roy Najecki]

The Kohler Magnum 18 (M18) in my 782 is burning and leaking so much oil that it is time to either rebuild or replace the engine. I'm just starting to look into my options and have found a rebuild Magnum on-line (in Ohio) for the same price as a Briggs & Stratton 18HP Vanguard. With the rebuilt Magnum I would have to swap my muffler, carb, intake manifolds, etc. The Vanguard comes complete, ready to go once I attach the PTO and drive shaft. I haven't yet looked for a local (R.I.) small engine rebuilder that has experience with Kohler Magnums, so I don't yet have that quote to consider.

I'm leery of going with a Briggs & Stratton engine as my experience with them hasn't been good. At least with their small lawnmower engines which don't seem to last long before leaking oil or hard starting. However their larger engines like the Vanguard, which I think is a more advanced design than the Magnum, might be a good choice.

What do you guys think?

[Leadslingingdaddy]

Roy,

My personal opinion would be to rebuild if possible if all tolerances are within range...Second option would be to look for a Kohler Command for the repower out of another Cub.....Great motor and can be had by looking through the CL around your area...

The Mag engine is a powerhouse and harder to come by these days....

[Matt G.]

I, too would rebuild the magnum. The newer V-twin engines don't have the torque of the older horizontally-opposed twins.

[Vince_o]

As others stated the mag has more torqe. But the Vanguard isnt really a briggs. You want to know why in my honest opinion, briggs couldnt make an eng that good! Theres nothing wrong with Vanguard it will last as long as a kohler honda or Kawaski, with proper maninance.

Ill tell you the least eng I have to work on, Honda, Kaw, Kohler, Briggs, being the absolute worst. If you could find an 18 20 hp honda, we just sold one to a guy in Iowa, that would be the way to go. Heck the parts on them are so cheap! Guy needed a rebuild kit and shut off celonid for his 20 hp the other day, it was cheaper to get a whole new carb! His total for it was like 140.00, if that were a kohler eng the carbs are like 220 to 250, the shut off on the commands are like 115.

I can look at my book and get you some pricing on a short block for ya or if you want a complete eng, long block. I saw some commands the other day for a commercial cust at 1200 for a long block, but Im thinking that was like 27hp.

[Fozzy]

I have had a few years with a 18 Vanguard vertical shaft that I put in a old John Deere 108. I found it to be a strong, smooth, reliable motor with no issues. It was also just as good or better on gas than the old 9 horse the lawn tractor came with. I would recommend them. I have been looking for a horizontal crank version for my cub but have been unable to locate one at a decent price.

[Leadslingingdaddy]

http://frederick.craigslist.org/grd/2698678758.html

He has a Mag and Command for sale....I shipped a Mag to MO for 100.00..FYI.

[green 4 acres]

About 2-3 weeks ago Kansas city Craigs List was a new, never run, horz shaft 18 hp briggs for sale for $150 it had a propane carb though. said found in a storage locker buy out . at that price I thought I might put it in the 128 some day but thought about it to long and it was gone


128

[Roy Najecki]

Guys, thanks for the input. About five years ago when it began to leak and burn oil I knew the day would come when I would have to pull the Magnum to rebuild or replace. At that time I looked into the Honda engines and Small Engine Warehouse.com had them with a conversion kit for about $1200. S.E.W. is now selling the B&S Vanguard for $1400.

Sounds like I should first see if the engine can be economically rebuilt. What should I specify be done at a minimum? Such as: Clean block (glass bead) and flatten surfaces for new gaskets and seals. Cylinders bored oversized for new pistons and rings, crankshaft polished/checked. New rods, bearings, valves, seats, and guides. Oil pump rebuilt and passages cleaned/checked. What about the governor – should this be replaced or anything done with it?

Too much or anything I should add?

[Vince_o]

Roy

Your right on with what you listing! I ALWAYS replace the gov and shaft or what ever else is needed.

Ive seen some guys just put rings in them, a few years later they are doing it again. My Wheel Horse has just rings put in it, but i dont use it but to ride it around the show and maybe a few times here and there.

If your going to rebuild something, do it right. Dont cut any corners, if you want it to last a long time. Also a good oil to run in those eng is the kohler Mag oil and the low ash oil.

I have a friend up your way that dose alot of crank work, he could chek it out for you. Just Pm me if you want his info.

[LarryW]

Does anybody know what the torque is on a M18? Ive been searching google and found 39lb at 2600 for a MV18 but that seems real high to me. I figured it was more like 30ish. Or is 39 right? I think the MV18 is the same just vertical.