New member in TN

Hey all. My son and I just started on a mid 80’s craftsman that my dad bought new back in the day. At some point it ended up with my uncle and has sat uncovered outside for I’d say at least 20 years. Thought it home the other day and started working on it today after my kiddo got out of school.
I picked up a 18hp opposed twin Briggs off Craigslist this morning for her because the 14hp vanguard had about a gallon of water in it.
So far I pressure washed the funk off of it and when he got home we removed the hood, seat and engine.
He is super excited to make a woods toy out of it and haul a trailer to the nearby lake with fishing gear and his r/c stuff when we are done building it.
I have plenty of questions already and will try and post them in the appropriate places on here. I’ve been reading builds and such all weekend and it’s got me pretty excited to build this beast.

Also, I am horrible with forums. I would post pics but can’t figure out how. Even after looking over the how to lol. But maybe I will figure it out and get to share with you all.

Welcome! Sounds like a neat project

Was that vanny stock?

Yes everything about it was factory. I actually feel kinda bad not just restoring it to its previous glory. I remember ripping around on that thing as an early teen and it was awesome. But I took the deck off long long ago and who knows where it is now.
Think I could rebuild that vanguard?

It sounds like you can. It’s not seized is it? Trouble with the vannys is everything is expensive. I think you’d be in for $100 in gaskets alone so I’d keep it around for a rainy day project I guess. That’s just my experience working on these though, results may vary lol

Oh it is seized up for sure. I’m sure it would be expensive but as you said maybe a rainy day project for later on.

That’s right! Trying to teach the kiddo to wrench like my dad with me. I’ve been a mechanic as my profession for 17 years now so it must have made an impression on me ha.

Welcome to our second home! Lol. Im working on a old Craftsman too, apparently lighter duty than yours as mine came with a single. Posting pics is fairly easy once you get the hang of it, when you're typing a message look up and you'll see a blue "GIF" symbol, 2 to the left is a monitor/disk which is the button to press. Then press "select files", choose the pics you want (max of 3 until you learn the trick to do more), press "send all" and watch for the blue status bar beside the photo(s) to fully load. Once that's done press "insert all" and you're done! You can press the PREVIEW button beside the SEND button to preview your message and the pictures. We around here love pictures so I'll encourage you to try it and practice so you get good at it and can start your own build thread!

Hey thank you for the detailed instructions and the welcome! Seriously I spent hours on here this past weekend lol. My wife thinks I’ve lost my mind. Lemme try to upload some pics.

Wow that was quick way to go! Lol. Alrighty you're ready to start a build thread for your rig! Lol

Heck yea! I will do that tomorrow for sure! Thank you all for the help and warm welcome!

No problem at all! One of the big advantages of forums is the sense of community! That tractor looks like a great canvas to start with!

I appreciate it! I hope it is. I am trying to learn what to salvage and what to look for as replacements. I will start a thread on ol boxy tomorrow.

Welcome to the forum! Look around and have some fun. I finally figured out the picture posting so I’m sure you can do it.

Ayyyyyy where from in Tennessee? I'm like 40 min from the state line.

For that Vanny, pull the flywheel screen and see of you can get that thing to break free with a breaker bar. If it breaks free then you know it has potential, and if not, well your out nothing but 20 minutes lol.

Also welcome to the forum lol.

Welcome!

I did figure the pictures out. Posted a few a couple of posts up.it actually wasn't too hard lol.

I’m in the Chattanooga area. I will give her some attention soon. Mainly been stripping down everything to get a bare frame before I mess with anything else. I will try what you mentioned tho and report back.m

I’m about to start a build thread I reckon. I’ve got everything off the frame now and going to start trying to prevent rust then rebuild how we want it to be. It’s gonna be a fun project!