Craftsman / Briggs 18HP Running on 1 cylinder

Scooby074 · Jun 10, 2009

dfkrug said:
Sorry you are still struggling, Jason.

There are 2 used carbs for 18hp twins currently on Ebay. I don't know
if they are compatible with the older carbs from 16hp twins.

Anyway, there are tons of these lying around free, in the form of
derelict lawn tractors in people's back yards. That is how I got mine
(off a 79 Craftsman).

Thanks. I was looking at those. I sent some emails, they wont commit that theyre compatible with anything besides what they removed them off.

One was a 19.5 hp the other was a 16. Mines a 18hp

. I THINK theyre compatable, but im not sure, I checked Briggs parts page, and neither ebay model crosses to my motor (at least that i can see). Plus ones alot newer than mine (96). I imagine the bodies are the same, but the jets would be different?

THe old girl is showing her age, but they really did make them better back then, Full welded frame, cast iron axle etc. And the rear discharge mows good ( maybe not as nice as a new full floating John deer).

Speaking of deer from my short time at the dealer, it looks like id have to go to at least a 300 series (maybe even a 500 series) to get a machine thats as heavy frame as the old craftsman/mtd. Is that correct? What models are recommended?

I have a place to check tomorrow that scraps mowers. Maybe ill get lucky.

dfkrug · Jun 11, 2009

Scooby074 said:
I imagine the bodies are the same, but the jets would be different?

I would not worry about the jetting. Anything that will fit on your manifold,
or a manifold/carb setup that will fit on your block will be good enough.

The carb on mine has a brass float and, with a bit of cleaning, my old
engine started right up. It was rotting in a field for a dozen years.

I gave up lawns years ago, so I have no mowers.

Scooby074 · Jun 11, 2009

dfkrug said:
I gave up lawns years ago, so I have no mowers.

THats the best advice yet

I found a carb for my mower today, $50. Not too bad, it was in pretty good shape. hope this fixes it. Guy offered to buy my machine for parts if i cant get it going (must be worth something, he said the deck is worth $$$).

Im going to clean and rebuild the carb, will post results.

Scooby074 · Jun 15, 2009

Thanks to all who've helped. The old girl is working pretty good after a new (used) carb and a carb rebuild.

Comparing the 2 carbs, the jets in my old one were larger than my new one. I can only assume it was like that from years of being cleaned incorrectly.

Still the odd puff of black, but i figure thats from all the carbon that likely is on the cylinder head and piston. Plugs are nowhere near as fouled as when i started this adventure

Thanks again.

Backman · Oct 8, 2010

I noticed on this forum some talk about a motor running backwards:

I've got 18hp twin briggs that runs backwards. Initially it ran backwards when first started it up. I adjusted the ignition gap and it ran normal for a little while. Then it switched to backwards again and has been backwards ever since.

Things I did before starting it up: (1) new stator, (2) full carb clean (3) new flywheel key, (4) new spark plugs, (5) new oil.

I am having trouble torquing down the flywheel nut. I've heard it needs 145 ft-lbs. (is this right?) I can't lock the engine to get the torque on it. I already bent a belt pulley when I was using a belt and vice-grips to stop the engine so I could tighten it up. Any advice about how to lock this engine so I can tighten that flywheel nut? Does anyone know why this motor runs backwards and how I can fix this?

Thanks,
Backman

Scooby074 · Oct 8, 2010

Backman said:
I noticed on this forum some talk about a motor running backwards:

I've got 18hp twin briggs that runs backwards. Initially it ran backwards when first started it up. I adjusted the ignition gap and it ran normal for a little while. Then it switched to backwards again and has been backwards ever since.

Things I did before starting it up: (1) new stator, (2) full carb clean (3) new flywheel key, (4) new spark plugs, (5) new oil.

I am having trouble torquing down the flywheel nut. I've heard it needs 145 ft-lbs. (is this right?) I can't lock the engine to get the torque on it. I already bent a belt pulley when I was using a belt and vice-grips to stop the engine so I could tighten it up. Any advice about how to lock this engine so I can tighten that flywheel nut? Does anyone know why this motor runs backwards and how I can fix this?

Thanks,
Backman