Topic: Newbie- 2 Vanguards; Value, Use, opinions, what to do?

[Sooie]

Hey guys new to the forum.

I recently bought 2 vanguard motors from an estate sale of a former small engine repair man. Got both for $30. A 2008 18hp horizontal shaft and a 1990 14hp vertical shaft both electric start. Both have been stored inside with oil and no gas since being pulled. No rust. Just grime from normal use. Both have good compression and oil is clean and valves are good.

The 18 was missing a flywheel assembly but I bought a used one. So other than some screws for the housing cover the engine is now complete as far as I know. I'm told with some gas and a battery it should start and run. 

The 14 is missing the air cleaner assembly, the screen for the shroud housing over flywheel and screws for housing.  That's all as far as I know.

My questions;

1. What is value as is & what is value with both running, what can I sell each of them for?
2. Is it worth putting money into them to hear them run?
3. What can they be used for? Are they a popular item?


Open to all advice! Thanks! Pics coming soon!

[Sooie]

nobody knows about these motors?? over 100 veiws? and no info?


another question;

any recommendations of a message board or forum that people will know about these motors?

[birdman_express]

Nearly a month, no pictures like you said... I say they are worth a million each,
unless I get to see a pic first.  14 is kinda small, the 18 is fine, we do not use stock flywheels,
so that has no value.  Do they have aluminum rockers from the factory.

[Sooie]

i will assume they did come with aluminum rockers because they are stock engines.

[birdman_express]

Only way to know if they have the aluminum rockers is to pop off the valve covers.
I have come to never assume what you think is in the used motors.
I had 2 same motors, same model numbers. One was the one more sought after,
the other was not.

As to your value. If a person is going to use one as a racer, they want
to know if the bore is round, and all the parts are there. The 14 has a
few parts that could be used, and the 18 is a nice motor for a racer, but
most folks who build them want to go with the 23HP engines. I have seen
a few of the 18HP motors sell for a few hundred, but they were also
able to be heard running before the sale. The 14 would be best for a grass
cutter. Value if running hundred or so, but this is for a running motor complete.
If you go to a mower shop and ask for prices, that will be doubled.

When you say it has plenty of compression, is that with a gauge, or turning it by hand?
Are the valves set to spec before testing? The less testing you do, or know about the
motors, the less asking price you can get. The more confident you are about it running,
the more they are worth. Running to a grass cutter, is not the same as a racer.
New rods, pistons, rings, gaskets....... is the bore straight, are the bearing surfaces good.
Did Ed King own it?

I search for deals, and pick up whole mowers for $50 with these motors in them.
Your market for sale is your deciding factor.