Here's another dumbass idea

[Scout]

Ok, I was thinking this the other day. I have an old non-running garden tractor sitting around. The thing is belt drive, and I was thinking laying the trans axle on its side and running it direct drive. Motor in front, clutch, driveshaft, trans. The only thing is, I don't know what kind of lube system is in it, if I can lay it over and still get oil where it needs to be. I bet that it's just a splash system and will be ok.
But gearing, I have no idea how it is geared between the motor and the input, if it is at all.

So, I don't know. Random thoughts by Jack Handey.

 

[Dieselchanic]

Well you could mount your motor a little higher then run a belt or chain down to the drive shaft giving you gearing options. Otherwise, you'd have to run a Lovejoy coupling anyways so the cost would possibly be close to the same either way.

On the other hand, I don't know much about what I'm talking about either...

 

[Scout]

Yeah thats a good idea. Maybe find a twin engine, front mount, I wonder how it will handle.