[MAX Carpets]

Hi Guys

Just a thought. Would it be possible to swap my Briggs 16hp Vanguard on a Blazer for a Honda engine? I only ask as a friend of mine is a Honda fitter and said he could do it.

Cheers

Justin

[Richard Basey-Fisher]

I know someone who put a kohler engine on a hm spitfire so guess i see know reason why not

[Mike Halliday]

kohler are a much better engine, most t/m manufacturers use Kohler.

i would also go up a couple of horsepower and fit a 18hp. more power, the same size engine

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'd agree I think the kohler engines a better.

Shaun

[MAX Carpets]

So would a 20hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard V twin fit straight into the Blazer (16hp Briggs & Stratton) ?

[Mike Halliday]

you will find the sizes spec as a pdf on their website but their smaller engines are the same size but bigger hp

make sure the shaft height and exhaust configuration's are exact and you will need to fit onto the heat exchanger

[richie]

Justin, Yes you can fit the Honda to the Blazer however i wouldnt.  The smaller Honda engines are good but not great.  As some have already stated Kohler are the best.  Also go up between 2 and 4 hp. 

Yes a 20hp B&S engine would also fit.

[richie]

Also, to get better heat use exhaust bandage.  Wrap it from where the exhaust bolts to the engine all the way to the heat exchanger.  This will give you much better heat.  We did it to a Prochem Cub XL  (the Blazer is basically a updated Cub XL)  The heat increase was surprising.  You can get the bandage from ebay along with the steel ties. When wrapping the exhaust make sure you overlap by 50% and wrap it tightly.  Its a good idea to leave the roll in a bucket of water for a couple minutes before you start.  This will make it easier to apply and cuts down on the fibres becoming airborn.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-Manifold-Downpipe-Black-Heat-Wrap-10m-Ties-rap-/220826804496?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item336a4da110

[Craigp]

I did that too Richie, yes get hotter water now.

After wrapping and putting jubliee clips each end, I wrapped with tin foil over the top of bandage.

[steven Banks]

Also, to get better heat use exhaust bandage.  Wrap it from where the exhaust bolts to the engine all the way to the heat exchanger.  This will give you much better heat.  We did it to a Prochem Cub XL  (the Blazer is basically a updated Cub XL)  The heat increase was surprising.  You can get the bandage from ebay along with the steel ties. When wrapping the exhaust make sure you overlap by 50% and wrap it tightly.  Its a good idea to leave the roll in a bucket of water for a couple minutes before you start.  This will make it easier to apply and cuts down on the fibres becoming airborn.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-Manifold-Downpipe-Black-Heat-Wrap-10m-Ties-rap-/220826804496?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item336a4da110

Excellent post, been thinking about this for some time.

[richie]

Many many years ago (about 15) Hydramaster UK did some work for us on our Prochem CUB XL.  He applied the bandage wrap to that machine and the heat difference was surprising.  Since then i have used it on many different truckmounts.  When people ask me to service their machines i advise they have it done as part of the service if it dont have any on.  Most have it done and are surprised at the heat gain.  It surprises me that Prochem never used it on their machines.  One thing you should not do though is over apply the bandage.  This can cause the exhaust to get to hot and crack.  So, just overlap by about 50% and it will be fine. 

We ran a Hydramaster Crossfire 4.2, the heat exchangers on that machine stand vertical at the rear of the machine. This means the exhaust from the engine to the heat exchangers was about 1 metre long.  Without exhaust heat wrap the machine water temps were not very stable and held approx 185 degrees. When we applied the exhaust bandage wrap the water temps were stable and we were getting water temps holding at between 220 - 240 degrees.  Thats a huge difference. 

If you order the exhaust wrap its better to order to much than not enough so get 10 metres.  In time the wrap does degrade so the spare length wont go to waste.  Re,ember, wrap from right by the engine all the way to the heat exchanger.