Engine Swap question...

[Tom Schindler]

Back in 2001, Theresa got a used snowblower from a school that was being replaced.



It is a 35 year old snowblower. I forget the brand, but it is an industrial version. It has been taken care of over the years. Unfortunatly, old Brigs & Stratton motors are a little tempermental when it gets cold. We considered getting an electric start installed on it, but the motor is too old for one. It can not be made to fit.



I went to Harbor Freight to pick up a shop crane and looked at some Robin Subaru engines. OHV 6 HP engine with electric start for about $250.00. I had an idea. Could I swap the old brigs engine with a new engine? I know I need to tear it apart to get some measurements like mounting holes, shaft size, etc. to even see if it would be feesable.



I know I could spend $500.00+ to get a new blower, but this thing is in great shape and is made out of steel. No plastic at all. This thing is heavy duty.



Any thoughts? Anyone ever done this? Maybe I could find a cheaper engine, but before I get too far into it, I am just looking for advice.





Tom

 

[Todd Z]

Tom,

You can easily get cheaper engines, Even a new B&S or tech.



The work is not that hard, because the new engine will have a Governor, universal throttle cable attachments.



Just check the rotation direction of the engine, clutch shaft and all the stuff you mentioned.



IT is just like building a mini bike or go cart...



Todd Z

 

[Dean Hedin]

I just swaped a 6hp OHV Harbor Freight engine onto a roto-tiller. Once in a while they have the 6hp pull start motor go on sale for $140.



The swap went very easy. The shaft size is usually the only thing to worry about (I had to get a new pulley). The mounting holes on the Harbour Freight motor are "stepped" in two sizes so you can drill them out to the larger size if needed.



The motor is great. It lighter, has electronic ignition (starts on one pull), and it has a low oil sensor. It also has filtration right in the gas tank filler hole so no crap gets to the carb.



Briggs and Stratton needs to get thier act together or they will perish. The situation for them is analogous to Harley Davidson back in the 70's. Innovate or the rest of the world will pass you by.



Sorry, but a tv commercial stating "If you does'nt say Briggs and Stratton, you don't know what your getting" just does'nt cut it.

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

Always had good luck here...

 

[Gavin Allan]

Tom, easiest to just swap it out with another Briggs and Stratton engine, which you should be able to get much cheaper than that. You don't need a real heavy-duty engine model either-- as any engine will work fine and give good long service if the oil is kept clean and filters are kept clean.



Another alternative is to rebuild the existing engine. It is not real hard to rebuild them. Or, you could even get a new shortblock and transfer over the rest of the stuff to the new short block. You could do this stuff yourself.



Another option: Throw it in the back of the Trac and check around at some of the small engine shops in your area. Right now most of them are looking for business as lawn mowers have slowed down, and chain saws won't start hitting until mid September. Maybe someone will have a comparable used engine they can sell you cheap, or they might be willing to do the rebuild.



It is also very possible that you don't need a rebuild. Test the compression--if it is within specs then you could rebuild the carburetor, etc. as needed. Maybe all you need is a valve job.



Good Luck.

 

[Tom Schindler]

The problem is cold weather starting. It will fire right up on the first or second pull during the summer. The winter, I could shovel the drive faster than I can get it to fire. When I finally get it to fire, it takes an eternity to get warm enoough to keep it from stalling under load.



The problem with a small engine shop is cost. Normal service call is around $100.00, not including any repairs. With the Robin-Subaru, it is $250.00 (plus I have a 15% discount coupon on top of that) and it comes with electric start.



The blower we have will not even allow an electric start to be installed. Too old. Electric start is $100.00 to add onto an existing engine.



Theoreticaly, lets say I could install an electric start on it and have a shop fix it. I would be looking at $200.00 and I would still have a 35 year old engine.



I will start pricing other engines. From what I have seen, this is a straight foreward swap.



Hopefully it will be as simple as pulling and installing a car engine.





Tom

 

[Phill R]

Go to Small Engine Warehouse [link below]. I purchased a B&S 6.5 HP engine for $230 which bolted right in place. Great prices and on many of the snow blower engines were free shipping.

 

[Tom Schindler]

Phill,



Thanks a bunch for the link. Their prices are good, though not sure if going with the B&S is the best bang for the buck. It seems like whenever I find an engine that looks like it would work, it has no electric start or if it does it costs more than the Robin Subaru engine does.



I will be doing a little more research before I go any further. I guess if I can rebuild a V8, putting a new engine on a snow blower can not be that hard.





Tom

 

[Richard L]

Tom,

It sounds like the old carburator needs to be cleaned and rebuilt. Lots of old rubber parts that are probably shot by now.



I would rebuild the carb and perhaps convert it over to an electronic ignition (kit's are probably available since these engines have not changed in many years/



I have a 24 year old roto-tiller that I bought a new carb for and it now starts on the first or second pull.



Also, you need to check the keyway on the crankshaft. If the machine ever hit a rock or curb it can shear the keyway enough to throw it off time and make it real hard to start. All you need to do is get a new keyway ($1.00) and install it.



If it runs good once it starts, then you just need a tune up and a carb rebuild and it will start on the first or second pull.



...Rich

 

[Tom Schindler]

The only way I could keep it running is with starting fluid. I know the carb needs rebuilt, but if it is worth it is a different story.



By the time I get the repair work done, I would have $150.00 or so into it. I still would have a 35 year old engine.



The clutch is fine. The keyway is fine. The engine is too old for an electric start.



There is a difference between a roto-tiller and a snow blower. Roto-tillers are used during the winter months when it is warm. Small engines prefer to start during warm weather. This is Ohio. It gewts cold in Ohio. If it is hard to start during warm weather, it will be next to impossible to start during cold weather.



The more I look into this, the better a new engine looks. We are not talking about $500.00 for an engine here. We are looking at $250.00 minus 15% for a total of $212.50 plus tax. With that new engine, I get electric ignition and electric start, in new engine that has more power because it is new.



Honestly, what do I have to gain by keeping the old engine? I rebuild the carb, add electric ignition, adjust the engine, etc. I put out 100.00, possibly more and I end up with an engine that will fire prefectly during the summer, but I have to put heat on it in the winter to get it to start.



The more I look into it, the better a new engine looks. I am all for keeping it running, but we are only talking a few bucks difference. Why keep the old engine when a new one is cheap and is fully updated?





Tom

 

[Gavin Allan]

Tom, it looks like a decent idea to get the new engine, especially if it has a warranty, etc.



I'd be worried that it might be built by a bunch of scabs, though...:lol:

 

[Tom Schindler]

Update:



This is starting to piss me off. Harbor Freight is replacing the Robin Subaru line with their own junk line. There are no 6 HP electric start Robin Subaru engines anywhere. Their junk line does not even offer one with electric start anywhere.



They did have one, a display model, but it was missing stuff so I let them know about it, and they pulled it off the shelf never to be seen again.



I checked around at small ennine shops. They all want to stick it to me. $325.00 for an engine that is not even a perfect match and does not even have electric start.



I called one dealer in the area and they said they would call me back with a price, but no price yet.



I even emailed Robin Subaru explaining the situation, and they email me back saying it is not to be used for a snow blower while the website says it is. Needless to say, I emailed them back and told them what I think about their conflicting information.



So, I have some decisions to make. Should I get that same engine at Harbor Freight without electric start or should I get the Harbor Freight "cheapie" engine?



More updates later.





Tom

 

[Gavin Allan]

REBUILD!!!



You won't need an electric start if it is set up correctly!

 

[Tom Schindler]

REBUILD!!!



You won't need an electric start if it is set up correctly!

Found a new engine, with electric start for $180.00 shipped to my house.



I would be willing to bet rebuiilding a 40 year old engine will not be as good as a new engine that is an OHV design (Not a Flathead like the old one is) with all the new carbs, etc.



Sorry, rebuilding the old engine, IMO, is not worth the cost.





Tom