I might pick up a used Long Tail with the Vanguard 23HP on it. Plenty of hours. Has set for almost a year but rund, just doesn't run well (Carb is gummed). Wondering what the reliability on these motors are. He's only asking $1250. What is a rebuild kit costing these days? Waht about a carb kit for these? Just looking for some insight. I'm currently running a 13hp MudBuddy on my 1648 (decked) getting about 12 mph...... hoping for 16 to 18 with the 23hp?

That lil 23 is a good motor. For $1250, you should do it. Buy you a mikuni & exhaust, & that thing will scoot!!!

Where do you get the exhaust? I've got a couple of mikuni carbs off dirtbikes 38mm and a 42mm but where do you get the boot/mount to bolt to the head?

Also, what kind of power does that usually get out of them? What would the recommended prop size be for my application?

I would go with a smaller Mikuni, like a 33 or 34. For the exhaust, the BPS Crossover is a really good one. You can get it all from Backwater Performance Systems. If you don't want to spend that much $$$ on the motor, you could still use the stock carb, have the heads port & polished, & get an exhaust. You will be happy with the motor either way. With the carb, heads, & exhaust, you'll probably see about a 4-5 hp gain.

Here's a link to the carb kits so you can see what all comes with it.
http://www.backwaterperformancesystems. ... retor.html