Predator Re-Engine?

[cody1325]

I've got an old '80s-ish rototiller with a 4 (maybe 4.5?) HP horizontal Briggs and Stratton engine that I recently pulled out of storage, since for near 20 years, it had been replaced with a 5 ft. PTO model that goes behind the tractor. The engine is, effectively, worn out, and it's been out of production so long, I can't find parts. I'm refurbishing it due to one; the current garden being smaller and tough to even get a compact into and B: the little Stihl tiller is a bit small for the job. And C: just because I can and it's effectively junk anyway.

For the amount of aggravation and parts to refurbish that engine, one of my neighbors suggested one of the HFT Predator engines. I figure about $100-150 on sale is MUCH cheaper than trying to buy a new tiller of comparable size. Honestly, I think the $90 3 HP would even work.

So, has anyone here re-did a Briggs to use a Predator?

 

[DGersic]

Not Briggs, but I replaced a Tecumseh with a shredded cam with a Predator on my yard vac. Works great. Did need a shaft adapter sleeve, cost a couple bucks on eBay,

 

[B_Bimmer]

I've done it four or five times. They are no honda but are perfect for what you describe. If you use them much dumb things happen. For example I put a larger one on a old side by side and repeatedly starting it wore out the starter within a year. But a real honda one has now lasted five years. If they sit the fuel tanks are more susceptible to rust and rubber parts don't last. They are cheap for a reason but start and run good.

 

[OneEyedMan]

I've done it four or five times. They are no honda but are perfect for what you describe. If you use them much dumb things happen. For example I put a larger one on an old side by side and repeatedly starting it wore out the starter within a year. But a real honda one has now lasted five years. If they sit the fuel tanks are more susceptible to rust and rubber parts don't last. They are cheap for a reason but start and run good.

They are good for cheap fixes or occasional use equipment. It took me years to come to terms with using them but it’s been worth it since that point.

 

[zak77]

Yup, repowered a crapsman rear tine tiller that had a Briggs on it. Everything fit perfect and works pretty good. Went with the 6.5hp.

 

[dcg9381]

For the amount of aggravation and parts to refurbish that engine, one of my neighbors suggested one of the HFT Predator engines. I figure about $100-150 on sale is MUCH cheaper than trying to buy a new tiller of comparable size. Honestly, I think the $90 3 HP would even work.

So, has anyone here re-did a Briggs to use a Predator?

I built a cart on one of their motors... Never had lick of problems with it, other than not opening the first box before driving away from HF (cracked cast exhaust, probably dropped).

 

[Motown]

I've swapped a few Tecumseh on snow blowers. If you use the larger predator, drill the jet out to .034. They are jetted pretty lean.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've got an old '80s-ish rototiller with a 4 (maybe 4.5?) HP horizontal Briggs and Stratton engine that I recently pulled out of storage, since for near 20 years, ...

Several years ago I bought a front tine Wards (Gilson) rototiller with a 5 HP B&S. it was from the 60s ! Cleaned the card and fuel tank, swapped in a Magnetron kit (B&S 394960 about $15 on eBay) and replaced the started cord.

It runs like a top ! Starts first or second pull every year !

 

[dscheidt]

Several years ago I bought a front tine Wards (Gilson) rototiller with a 5 HP B&S. it was from the 60s ! Cleaned the card and fuel tank, swapped in a Magnetron kit (B&S 394960 about $15 on eBay) and replaced the started cord.

It runs like a top ! Starts first or second pull every year !

My dad had a 70s or 80s rototiller. he'd got it used, used it for a couple years, and put it away. i dug it out after 10 or 15 years, and tried to get it running. Despite having "run when parked", the engine (a b&s of ~5 hp) was in terminal condition, probably as a result of being used in dusty conditions the whole life (and poor maintenance by the original owner is not out of the question). Piston bore was heavily scored, and it had very low compression.

 

[IRQVET]

Predator motors are just cloned 1996 Honda engines from what I've heard. I have a few of them, but I opted for their Hemi version. Same motor overall, but it's a different part number and produced at a different factory.

 

[Mr_B]

How goosed is the old Briggs, the old engines generally pretty easy get running unless major issues with bore/crank .
I done a 4.5 and recently a 5hp tiller, The 5hp got up and running with NOS chrome ring kit off eBay, valves ground, fuel tank cleaned out, carb cleaned, new fuel pumping gasket and a used briggs lawnmower transistor ignition coil to get rid of the points ignition .
Was less than 60 bucks,
If it a total mess throughout might be a different story,
Other option can be looking for used equipment with faults/failures for the donor engine assembly .

 

[DGersic]

I've swapped a few Tecumseh on snow blowers. If you use the larger predator, drill the jet out to .034. They are jetted pretty lean.

Which Tecumseh to which Predator? I have an ancient Snapper with a 10 HP Tecumseh Snow King. Runs fine, but it would be nice to know what fits if it dies.

 

[Davefr]

I put one on a 8HP Troy Bilt that had a flat head Briggs. I later decided to repair/restore the Briggs and put it back on and sold the Predator.

The 6.5 HP Predator powered the tiller just fine but:
1. It's a very lightweight engine compared to the Briggs and threw off the tiller's balance.
2. I just couldn't stand looking at a Chinese engine on a classic Troy Built
3. I had to bypass the low oil shutdown since tillers works at some steep angles. I'm not really confident the Predator would lubricate properly with a tiny 1 pint sump and working hard at steep angles.
4. The throttle linkage was OK but you had to manually shut off the engine.

Overall the engine would probably be fine but I went back to Briggs.

 

[hobie18]

Very common. In the snowblower world. Easiest if the pulleys and shafts number maych. As in, one shaft or two. Some older machines ran the wheels off the cam. Can still be done but harder. Shaft size, and height. Height can be accounted for.

Dependingnon use, air filter or not.

 

[Motown]

Which Tecumseh to which Predator? I have an ancient Snapper with a 10 HP Tecumseh Snow King. Runs fine, but it would be nice to know what fits if it dies.

I've done 5hp swaps. The mounting bolt pattern is pretty much spot on. I've never done a larger size Tecumseh swap.

 

[IRQVET]

How goosed is the old Briggs, the old engines generally pretty easy get running unless major issues with bore/crank .
I done a 4.5 and recently a 5hp tiller, The 5hp got up and running with NOS chrome ring kit off eBay, valves ground, fuel tank cleaned out, carb cleaned, new fuel pumping gasket and a used briggs lawnmower transistor ignition coil to get rid of the points ignition .
Was less than 60 bucks,
If it a total mess throughout might be a different story,
Other option can be looking for used equipment with faults/failures for the donor engine assembly .

NOTHING wrong with the old Briggs. I have one of those too, as well as a Tecumseh. IMHO, the Hemi Predator still earned a place at the table. All of them are great for their own reasons, cannot go wrong . . .

 

[tak1313]

People on the Snowblower Forum LOVE to use Predator engines to repower all different brands of blowers.

 

[hobie18]

Yes they do.
Some are very straightforward. Some require a bit of work. Old machines may use the cam for propulsion. There are well-known methods to get this done. The modern engines can really make an older machine come alive. More frugal on gas, and less exhaust on you.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've used a couple of predators, and since have replaced them with Hondas. The Predators work fine, but if you use them very much they will rattle parts off of themselves. I had two of them on two different pressure washers and they both had their mufflers literally disintegrate into a pile of rusty parts after 25-30 hours use. You have to make sure all the bolts are tight on them.

I replaced them with used Honda GC engines which are quieter, don't vibrate as much and seem to have more power.

 

[engineer2]

I replaced my tired Tecumseh 5HP Snow King motor on a Toro snow blower with a Predator 6HP. Pretty much a bolt-in replacement.
The Predator took a few mods for cold weather operation:
Richen the main jet to .034,
Drill out the gas tank roll-over valve vent restrictor to 1/8" min.
Disconnect the oil level switch or the engine will shut off on any bump.