Worth it?

[Steelitall]

New to Kart-building, have been lurking around the site for a while and decided that now that i have the whole summer in front of me i should build a cart

anyways, we have a sort of mower graveyard out behind a shed in our yard. a little push mower with a 3hp motor which is know to be running but very weakly, an old 12hp walk behind which does not, as far as i know currently run, and an old Craftsman ride on mower with an 18hp motor, which may or may not have been running at the time of its retirement, i dont know. all three motors are Briggs and Stratton. Being a 17 year old, of course the biggest one would seem to be the best choice to me

according to the motors serial number (422707 1511 01 91021132)
it is a 42ci motor build in february of 1991, which makes it a year and a half older than i am

does any one here have experience with this motor? or one of the same series (which the manual refers to as 420000 series). are they any good and/or relatively easy to revive?

thanks
chase

 

[motor_head]

either the 12 or 18 would work if you can get one running, if there on mowers you'll likely have to convert it to horizontal
the 3 wouldn't be worth it

 

[freakboy]

definitly go with the opposed twin! and need any help with these twins just ask me.

 

[Rotore]

you want to find a kohler v twin

 

[freakboy]

why do you want one of them boat anchors?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

i got one of those 42CI opposed twins, good engines, although i've had plenty of starter problems with mine, as has my friend with his. Easy to work on though, if it aint seized you should be able to get it running with very little work.

 

[Rotore]

why do you want one of them boat anchors?

this boat anchor can make 100+hp all motor unlike your briggs

 

[Steelitall]

i never intended to use the three, dont worry

good to hear about the 42, that was the one i was planning on using. freakboy, thank you, and you'll probably hear from me soon

ill post up the stats on the 12 if anyone is interested, might take some disassembly to find its serial number though (couldn't seem to find it anywhere)

 

[Rotore]

on the shroud

 

[freakboy]

this boat anchor can make 100+hp all motor unlike your briggs

ive seen these oppy briggs make 70+ HP with a fraction of the weight of your kholer! And less cubes

 

[Steelitall]

finally found the serial on the 12hp. feel like an idiot for not seeing it the first time- it was right on the front of the motor, just hard to read
serial- 281702 0159-01 88010611
a 28 cubic inch motor from '88 i think ill stick with the 18 for now- its stronger and in better shape (having been covered by a motor shield vs exposed on the walk behind)
out of curiosity (and for possible future use), anybody have any experience with the 12?

 

[Rotore]

yea its a stroked 11hp good torque dude

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I also have a 12 (well, 11.5, but its the same 28ci block and everything). Good engine, worked great for years on my beater mower...only problem ever was stripped ring gear on the flywheel.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Anything will make lots of power if you pour enough $$$$$$$$$$ in it.