Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 540000 Series Advance Product Service Information

ADVANCE PRODUCT

Not for

Reproduction

SERVICE INFORMATION

INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 42 DATE: 7-03-2003

SUBJECT: 31 HP Air Cooled V-Twin Engine FILE IN: 272144

Introducing the new Briggs & Stratton Vanguardt 31 HP, V-Twin OHV Engine, Model Series 540000. This is the
largest 2-cylinder air cooled engine Briggs & Stratton has ever produced, delivering horsepower and torque numbers
rivaling the best 2-cylinder liquid cooled engines but in a lighter, less expensive, easier to maintain package. It
features full pressure lubrication, a Donaldson 2 Stage Cyclonic air cleaner, a Super Lo-Tone muffler system, and
the new Advanced Debris Management Systemt. A full two year commercial-use warranty applies. The following
preliminary service specifications are subject to change.

Vanguard Model Series 540000

Air Cleaner Type 2 Stage Cyclonic

Alternator Output &Type 20 Amp - Regulated

Armature Air Gap 0.005 - 0.007” (0.13 - 0.18 mm)

Bore 3.366” (85.5 mm)

Bore Type Cast Iron Sleeve

Compression Ratio 8.25:1

Crankshaft End Play .002 - .012” (.05 - .30 mm)

Displacement 54 ci. (895 cc)

Fuel Filter Type Spin-On Cartridge

Governor System Mechanical

Lubrication System Full Pressure

Maximum Horsepower @ 3600 PRM 31

Maximum Torque @ 2400 RPM 47 ft-lbs.

Muffler System 5” Round - Single Outlet

Oil Capacity - with Filter 79 oz. (2.3 L)

Oil Capacity - without Filter 71 oz. (2.1 L)

Oil Fill Style In Valve Cover

Spark Plug Gap 0.020” (0.51 mm)

Valve Clearance (Cold) - Int. and Exh. 0.004 - 0.006” (0.10 - 0.15 mm)

Stroke 3.071” (78.0 mm)

Timing Setting 23° BTDC

Common Maintenance Parts

Air Filter - Primary (Outer)

Air Filter - Safety (Inner)

Fuel Filter

Fuel Stabilizer (4.2 oz.)

Oil - 4-Cycle 30W (48 oz.)

Oil - 4-Cycle 5W-30 Synthetic (32 oz.)

Oil Filter

Oil Pump Kit (Removes Oil From Engine)

Spark Plug

Spark Plug Wrench

Spark Tester

Common Specifications

809670

821136

691035 or 5065D

100002 or 5041D

100028

100074

492932s or 5049D

5056D

692051

89838 or 5067D

19368

Fastener Specifications

Not for

Reproduction

Description Wrench/Socket Size Torque

Air Cleaner Mounting 12 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Air Guide Mounting Screws 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Air Block Plate Mounting Screws Phillips 30 in-lbs (3 Nm)

Alternator Harness Clamp Screw 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Backplate Mounting Screws 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Blower Housing Nuts to Studs 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Blower Housing Studs to Cylinder 12 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Breather Cover 8 mm 30 in-lbs (3 Nm)

Carburetor Intake Elbow to Carburetor 10 mm 35 in-lbs (4 Nm)

Carburetor to Intake Manifold 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Connecting Rod 10 mm 125 in-lbs (14 Nm)

Crankcase Cover 13 mm 200 in-lbs (23 Nm)

Cylinder Head 14 mm 350 in-lbs (40 Nm)

Exhaust Manifold (Muffler) 12 mm / T40 180 in-lbs (20 Nm)

Flywheel Fan Screws 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Flywheel Nut 32 mm 125 ft-lbs (169 Nm)

Fuel Pump 8 mm 45 in-lbs (5 Nm)

Governor Control Bracket 12 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Governor Lever Nut 10 mm 70 in-lbs (8 Nm)

Ignition Armature 7 mm 30 in-lbs (3 Nm)

Intake Manifold 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Manifold Heat Shield to Muffler 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Oil Drain Plug 16 mm 180 in-lbs (20 Nm)

Oil Pickup to Pump 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Oil Pressure Switch 26 mm - 12 pt 80 in-lbs (9 Nm)

Oil Pump Baffle 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Oil Pump to Crankcase Cover 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Regulator/Rectifier 10 mm 90 in-lbs (10 Nm)

Rocker Arm Lock Nut 13 mm 70 in-lbs (8 Nm)

Rocker Arm Stud 10 mm 100 in-lbs (11 Nm)

Rotating Screen Screws 4 mm 100 in-lbs (11 Nm)

Rotating Screen Studs 13 mm 125 in-lbs (14 Nm)

Spark Plug 5/8” 180 in-lbs (20 Nm)

Starter Motor to Cylinder 12 mm 130 in-lbs (15 Nm)

Valve Cover 10 mm 70 in-lbs (8 Nm)