Older Briggs & Stratton 18hp considered to upgrade my H3

Thanks for the response, Shady.

I think the older B&S II may be a different animal as far as head width is compared to the newer Vanguard. Which is why I'm wondering if anyone has messed with them. Another concern is the shaft diameter. I think the B&S II is 1-1/8". That's not a real big concern, as I'm sure if needed, something can be machined up.

Looking at the images in the thread you shared with me, I think the process would be very similar for the most part. And considering the engine I'm looking at, and the fact parts are like hens teeth, that's another concern I have. Should I even mess with it? I've read that this particular engine is highly sought after, for whatever reason.

From searching for any info pertaining the older style, I'm not finding much really.

Good info, Cliff. Cutting the side-rails wouldn't be too bad if I had too. That's something that could be easily spliced back together down the road.

Jeff, the stub-shaft is what the clutch would get connected to isn't it? That's my main concern.

I'd be interested in hearing any and all feedback you have pertaining to your project. As it stands, the mounting of the clutch is priority if I'm going to purchase it. The seller said it ran real good when he pushed it in the corner of his shop two years ago, and for $75, it's worth looking into if I can make it work fairly easily.

Any thoughts help. Times a tickin. As you see by my previous post at 3:45 AM (I'm usually asleep!) my mind has been on this motor. I'm thinking I might have to change the drive shaft. Problem is the motor I have never seen. It would be great to have them side-by-side for comparisons.

I might just forget the thought considering the drive distance is 4 hours round trip.

I rechecked the link and followed via "next page". Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

That thread is very informative and documented well. Quite the process going through everything that needs to be dealt with to assure a well thought out repower.

The more I dig into what's involved I think I am going to pass getting the older 18hp twin. No telling how much actual time is on it, and it could blow up within hours of finishing. Not worth the drive, time and expense involved.

I am however, book marking the topic for future reference if I ever decide to repower with the modern engine sometime in the future. But for now, rebuilding makes better sense.

Thanks all for the input. I DO appreciate it.
Dom