Replacement engine

Elmaguy · Sep 4, 2007

I own a 2004 Cub Cadet LT1018. It has a Briggs and Stratton 31Q777-0305 18.5 HP engine in it. Last week, it died. The last time I rode it, I thought it was running out of gas. When I shut it down, it let out a puff of smoke. I noticed that the engine was extraordinarily hot as well. Now, when I try to start it, it sounds almost like a diesel engine. I was told the piston rod most likely broke due to overheating. The shop I purchased it from wants $1500 + labor to relace the engine OR I could buy a used engine from another tractor the mechanic owns and he'd put it in for me.

Which leads me to my question...

Can I just buy a similarly powered vertical-shafted engine and put it in myself? I see engines for around $500:
Kohler SV600S-0003 20 HP
Small Engine Surplus.com 445577-0435 Briggs & Stratton 23 hp

Is this feasible? Any advice?

MrJimi · Sep 4, 2007

With a small search, I found this for you
Cub Cadet LT1018 Repower from Small Engine Warehouse
get a friend to give you a hand, it don't look all that hard to do

VABlue · Sep 4, 2007

If you can mount an engine so that the shaft lines up correctly, you can use the engine. I would be careful, though, about putting too big (or too small) an engine in. You wouldn't want to be over-powered any more than than under-powered, lest you start breaking other parts a little too easily.