I now have re-engined two Bolens with a V twin, because of the V configuration no need for the UJ joints that fail only need just flexi-joint couplings as it sits down in the frames lower with a strait drive line and won’t knockout the hydro charge pump bearings. First re-engine one I done was 22 years ago and still runs as good today, its a made in Japan Briggs 16HP and seems to run on fumes and was far more economical than the single cylinder Tecumseh it replaced, now the one have just fitted is a US made 18HP and is terribly juice hungry and unless its run flat out soots the left cylinders plug, infact it runs weak flat out at 3600rpm thats uncomfortable at that speed but at a comfortable speed runs very rich, it starts from cold without choke, it has no adjustment for slow running like the old one that idles very slow and silent, so if you can get hold of an early Japan made one that seems better better built, as we had little grass because of the drought last year I never drained the engine oil last year so now will be the third season and is as clean like been done yesterday, now the new one within a few hours had gone very black and already been drained and will see how fast it changes colour, both are running on same E5 petrol so should behave the same. Talking to Briggs is a waist of time just saying contact your suppler,
