I have a 24 hp BTLT. I spoke to a local mud buddy dealer and he mentioned about converting my motor into a surface drive. He said after I sell my frame I can convert it for around $1500. Has any one done this or know any thing about it? Any comments or ideas will help, thx.

Its pretty straight forward.

Take motor off old frame, attatch clutch and bolt to new frame.
There are several who have done it and of you buy it working with a dealer I am sure it will work out.

Trying to decide if it's worth it though, compared to selling it and buying a used 23. My 24 has 39 hours on it so it's hardly used

23 and 24 will both perform the same, I would look at how much money you loose with both options and see what shape the used motor is in before I decided.

You know what you are dealing with if you keep your motor.

Ok ya thx, I love my Honda and she hasnt let me down yet

Can you convert a long tail with a 1" shaft? Or is everything an 1 1/8"?

You would have to make sure the gear will fit; most are made for 1 1/8 shaft, but timing gears are made for 1 inch shafts also. It can be done for sure.

they do make tapered pullies on mudbuddy that will fit a 1 inch shaft.
i converted my longtail to a surface drive.
i swapped engines because the old one was no more good.
you will have to buy a 1 inch tapered pully, which is only 15 bucks.
it will come with 3 screws to keep your pully tight.
make sure you tighten 2 of the screws opposite eachother. then put the other screw in to hold it in place.
also,
make sure your pullies line up for you belt!
hope this helps

ive shreded 3 belts in a week. before i realized that i needed to put 2 bolts and tighten before putting the 3rd screw

Or, to make it simple, you could get a timing belt pulley with a 1" ID and a keyway. I found a used one on Ebay for $20. But that was 1 1/2" belt, dont know what size youre planning on using.