Predator powered snowblower
- Thread starter bluesboy
- Start date
SMKS
Well-known member
I've read about it online, but I haven't personally done it. You can find all sorts of posts online about repowering equipment with those engines.
The performance of engines has improved over the years. The quality or strength of the rest of the snowblower or other equipment has declined or decreased over the years.
Best Bang for Buck is a new engine on an ancient frame.
Best Bang for Buck is a new engine on an ancient frame.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 652
Have one on our log splitter, no issues for several years.
Jeremy
Jeremy
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Looks good ! Do you maintenance in spring (grease axles, etc).
G_P
Well-known member
I put one on my early 60's Ariens snowblower when the governor on the Tecumseh motor failed. Bolt holes and pulley shafts lined right up. Very simple job and it has more power than the old motor.
Those are great motors. I've used the Honda clone motors on lots of things with really good results (go karts, pressure washer, generator, etc.) The only problem I've ever had is with the cheap spark plugs that come with them (usually Torch brand). I would recommend immediately replacing them with a Champion or NGK plug.
vartz04
Well-known member
Did the same thing on my mtd 8/26. Works better than the 8 hp Tecumseh did.
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Richard Cranium
Well-known member
it is good to hear good stories about a harbor freight item.
Farmall450
Well-known member
The performance of engines has improved over the years. The quality or strength of the rest of the snowblower or other equipment has declined or decreased over the years.
Best Bang for Buck is a new engine on an ancient frame.
I second this.
At Farm & Fleet we get the same recurring problems, however the units are either old, and in for the first or second time (over 30 years
) or ~5 years old (same problem)...Edit: it's rarely the engine. I can't knock a good US made l-head briggs, tecumseh, kohler, or if we're getting older, Lauson, Clinton, etc.
justme-
Well-known member
Be aware of the crank shaft size...we have a guy around here making a business out repowering things with these engines. Crank is sae I'm told. Also, parts availability is similar to Honda...I put a Honda gx160 carb on one as a test, but not all places will give you time of day looking for anything for them.
G_P
Well-known member
Still have the one I bought 3 weeks ago in the box. Does that count?
Got mine for an early 70's Ariens, just haven't got around to switching it over yet. Hopefully it will mate up as easily as yours did.
On some models you have to re route the chute control crank because the valve cover of the HF motor gets in the way. I just put an eye bolt through the side of the handlebar and put the chute crank through that. Works just fine.
IIRC, some of the blowers have really short engine mounting studs meant for the tecumseh's with the sheet metal base. They are not long enough to mount the HF motor and have to be replaced.
It's been on my to do list. By the way things have been looking around here, I may be able to put it off till spring. 