To buy or not to buy?....that is the question

[Mr onetwo 0]

I am new to WH, but have been doing a lot of research here and elsewhere.I am going to look at a 1978 C161 twin tomorrow.I know what to look for with the transmission,frame cracks and such.I am leary of the B&S twin....what do you guys think of that engine?This is a restoration project and I think I can get the whole thing with a mowing deck for around $200.I really would like a Kohler one lunger, but if I get positive feedback on your experiences with this motor I will buy this machine.Also, does anyone know where to get a copy of the factory B&S rebuild manual?...there is nothing in the WH service manuals. Thanks to all for your help! :banghead:

[KB9LOR 4]

I have a GT 1642 with the briggs twin 16hp, it sure does the joib for me, now would I rather have a Kohler? You bet!, but the Briggs does all my garbage work now, plowing,Snowblowing, with zero problems! I would not hesitate to buy it personnally! Go for it.

[tbbahner 28]

IMO there's nothing wrong with the twin BS. As good as a Kohler - no. But parts are cheaper than Kohler if you have to rebuild. Like anything, maintenance is the key.

Tom B

[Ken B 3,202]

Sounds like a decent buy for 200 bucks. If the motor runs well that is a plus!

[elixir20 1]

I just picked up a 1979 C-161 Twin Auto over the summer. The motor seems to do just fine. The Briggs website has a parts list and diagrams for free. Just enter the model and serial #'s. The motor sounds less refined than the Kohler single, but has plenty of grunt behind it. I picked up a metal seat pan from a 416 so I can keep the fiberglass one in good shape. $200 sounds like a steal. Good luck.

[just me 0]

the only problem i know of with the BS twin is the thrust bearing on the PTO side of the engine. It keeps the PTO engagement from pushing the crank into the flywheel side. Just something to look at when buying a WH with the BS engine. Not a deal breaker but maybe to get the cost down.

Do a search on here for the C161 and you can find some info on this.

[racinfool40 203]

I too recently picked up a C-161 with a twin briggs and I was impressed with the power right now I have my blower hooked to it and no problems here!!! It's a great machine in my opinion:

[sgtsampay 117]

the only problem i know of with the BS twin is the thrust bearing on the PTO side of the engine. It keeps the PTO engagement from pushing the crank into the flywheel side. Just something to look at when buying a WH with the BS engine. Not a deal breaker but maybe to get the cost down.

Do a search on here for the C161 and you can find some info on this.

Don;t mean to hijack the thread, but can you explain a bit moee about what you mean? I also have a briggs twin, so I'm wandering what are you meaning.. thanks.

[dave24 18]

ive always like briggs but ive had two mowers with the briggs twin and one had very little compression and the other was blown up so i havnt had good luck with them, but they were old and i had no info of the past owner so i could be wrong. :banghead:

[just me 0]

On a briggs engine on the drive pulley under the PTO pulley has a thrust bearing to help keep the lateral load off the main bearings in the engine. The crank kinda floats in these engines and when you engage the PTO it pushes the crank. This bearing will actually push on the engine block and keep the crank from being pushed into the flywheel side of the engine block. It is a sealed roller bearing. The design works but not real strong and the bearing can and will fail. I had one fail on my C161 twin and didn't know it till I had a valve hang up and kinda stumble on this. One way you can tell if the bearing is bad is play in the pulley under the PTO or if there is no adjustment left on the PTO adjustment.

[bitten 134]

Hello and

I would go for it.

[just me 0]

bythe way I would buy it also. I love mine!

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,767]

I'm not suggesting parting it out BUT, if you did buy it for $200 and decided the motor was junk you could get your money back in parts. If the deck is a good, non-rotted, quiet 42"-48" deck with a mule drive its worth more than the $200 you might pay for the whole package.

Just my opinion.

Mike.........

[can whlvr 994]

in my opinion any wheelhorse that runs is worth 200,and the briggs could go 4 ever

[Roger from southern Iowa 1]

Sounds well worth the money to me.

AND !!!!

[sgtsampay 117]

On a briggs engine on the drive pulley under the PTO pulley has a thrust bearing to help keep the lateral load off the main bearings in the engine. The crank kinda floats in these engines and when you engage the PTO it pushes the crank. This bearing will actually push on the engine block and keep the crank from being pushed into the flywheel side of the engine block. It is a sealed roller bearing. The design works but not real strong and the bearing can and will fail. I had one fail on my C161 twin and didn't know it till I had a valve hang up and kinda stumble on this. One way you can tell if the bearing is bad is play in the pulley under the PTO or if there is no adjustment left on the PTO adjustment.

Thanks. You got me thinking. I got to go test my engine now. I think I may have bad or going bad bearing now, as the pulley will wobble at super low RPMS.

[AMC RULES 37,232]

BUY :banghead:

[just me 0]

sgtsampay let me know if it is and i'll try to help you the best i can, If I can't then TT can he helped me on this.

[sgtsampay 117]

sgtsampay let me know if it is and i'll try to help you the best i can, If I can't then TT can he helped me on this.

Understood. Thanks. :banghead:

[just me 0]

sgtsampay this may help you if I did the link right

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...ndpost&p=182929

[just me 0]

did we purchase this yet?