Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I have an old Ariens snowblower that is in good shape but with a tired engine. I've been looking into a new replacement. The logical candidates seem to be the Tecumseh OHSK70, the B&S Intek 7.5, and the Honda GX200. 

The Honda seems to have the most torque (10 ft lbs) but is also by far the most expensive - $500 versus around $300 for the other two.

I have never seen a torque figure quoted for the Tecumseh, but it seems like the Intek 7.5 is around 7 ft  lbs?

Another engine that I came across was the Robin Subaru EX series, a 7hp OHC engine that has a lot of advanced features but isn't much more than the B&S or Tecumseh. They all have the same crankshaft (3/4") and height (about 4.17").
B&S sent me data sheets on the replacement: the Honda dealer has an employee who did one; and Tecumseh gave me all the dimensions and concerns (mostly about fitting the chute crank under the engine) but they all seem like they'll work.

I live in Boston MA and the current unit is a Tecumseh H50 on a 1970 Ariens. I checked the compression and it's 65 psi on the first pull and 75 psi after 2 or 3 (by hand pull). I do the sidewalks up and down the street for  some older (or lazier) neighbors so the kids can walk to school without walking in the road. The blower is great because it compacts the snow a bit and the biggest problem here after a snowstorm is finding a place to put it. I've used the unit 8 times so far this season.

Garandman wrote:

Thank you!!  You answered questions that I wasn't able to find yet.  So basically I should prob go the same route you did, Intek 7.5 and make the linkage arm for the chute.  I could prob go to 8HP without a problem but no higher. 

Awesome!  Thank you for all the help!!!

Ariens snowblower engine upgrade.  High performance Ariens snowblower.

Check out this work in progress.  Upgrading from a 6 HP Tecumseh to an 11 HP Honda!

Had to relocate the motor mount studs.  Needs a custom pulley as the new engine has a 1" dia shaft.

5" OD cast iron pulley on order from McMaster-Carr.  More Later...

Dans wrote:
Wow!  wish I could listen and see this snow eater!!! Good job pal keep the good work

Nice, I'd like to see what you're going to do for the chute control. I've been toying with the idea of using a stepper motor, I think that would be cool.

Professor,

The stepper idea sounds good.  I had been planning on using the old crank with a 3/8" socket set universal welded in line to make the turn up from under the engine to the handlebars.  I like your idea-it eliminates a lot of cranking back and forth.  You may be interested in a similar idea from utube-it's awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBL3GxBduyU

I'm still waiting for my new engine pulley.

Regards, Steve

This might work for you if you didn't buy the pulley yet: Ebay Item number: 320177893719. Also, Garandman bought his universal joints from McMaster-Carr ~$12 each.

Save money on universal joints!!

Go to a used hand tool shop and buy socket wrench universals.

I bought 2 for a dollar when I mounted a new engine on my buddies snowblower!!

Works great!

                                 Fred

The new pulley arrived today.  It is installed on the shaft along with a longer belt.  The original engine is shown for a side by side comparison.  Note the increased size of the engine pulley.  I am looking at incorporating a "Dead Man"  belt tensioner as the auger and wheel drives on these old Ariens keep going if you let go of the handle bars while blowing snow.  Thanks for your tips and suggestions.

6HP Tecumseh and 11HP Honda

It looks like the new pulley is at least double the size of the old one. That means the auger and impeller will be going over twice as fast. While this means the snow will be thrown faster and further it also means there is a lot more stress being put on the entire auger/impeller system. You will probably get a great deal of vibration and things will wear out pretty fast. Try using the lowest gear possible for the traction system or you might be running after a snow bazooka. Make sure you're no "aiming" at anything important.

Excellent point Nibbler. Dans the engine pulley on my similar Ariens is 2.5" in diameter matched to a 9" drive pulley that reduces the 3600rpm of the motor to 1000rpm for the impeller. By using only a 2.75" pulley the angular frequency of the impeller increases to 1100rpm, a 10% increase. Match that 10% with your 11HP (wow) and you should achieve very good distance. Please keep us up to date.