Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????

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edgenet

If you enjoy doing it, It's not work

Location: Toronto
Joined: Nov 27, 2010
Points: 84

I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Original Message Dec 22, 2010 8:05 pm

I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????

If you are getting paid for what you are doing No matter how much you Enjoy it, It's a Job

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edgenet

If you enjoy doing it, It's not work

Location: Toronto
Joined: Nov 27, 2010
Points: 84

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #18 Dec 26, 2010 11:12 am

Up-Date I completed the bolt down of the engine on the body that was a bit of a challange. I fully tested the engine and everything is good to go for the next step. I am considering buying the OEM pulley set and the drive ideler. I hate buying OEM stuff they gouge the hell out of us here in Canada. I suggest always try to buy complete snowblower or Lawnmowers with all the parts the refference is very valuable and you will not have to hunt for parts.

As I indicated on my other post I repowered a 5-hp with a 6.5-hp engine snowblower and all the parts were a perfect fit. The entire project took 1 hour.

If you are getting paid for what you are doing No matter how much you Enjoy it, It's a Job

borat

Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #19 Dec 26, 2010 11:44 am

edgenet wrote:

As I indicated on my other post I repowered a 5-hp with a 6.5-hp engine snowblower and all the parts were a perfect fit. The entire project took 1 hour.

Try going to a bearing supply shop for pulleys. They might have what you need for a fraction of the cost. Bring the old one with you for reference.

Shryp

Location: Cleveland, OH
Joined: Jul 26, 2010
Points: 532

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #20 Dec 26, 2010 11:49 am

He said before that he didn't get the old one with the blower. You could do some math to get the size you need though.

Impeller RPM * Impeller pulley diameter / 3600.

If your target RPM is going to be 1200 and the large pulley on the impeller is 9", then you would get a 3" diameter for the engine.

1200 * 9 / 3600 = 3.

Older blowers were around 1000 rpm and newer ones are around 1200-1300 I believe.

trouts2

Location: Marlboro MA
Joined: Dec 8, 2007
Points: 1328

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #21 Dec 26, 2010 12:18 pm

He wants an increase and I'm not sure how to do that. The output ft/sec for most machines is somewhere around 3600 - 4000 ft/sec with the high end favored. Anyone know how to figure out what ft/sec gets a noticable increase? I've read that some people claimed a 200 engine RPM difference got an increase in distance but it was unstated how much. There is a prior thread list some ft/sec for Ariens machine. I'm pretty sure Yamaha and Honda are high but not sure of the amount. At a minimum he'd want the equal of the Pro models. Possibly a 10% boost from that would be enough. ??

Model auger, impeller, impeller, engine, impeller output

920012 Compact 22LE    11 12 1190 9.5 ft-lbs     3738(1139)
920013 Compact 22E      11 12 1190 Sub SX17   3738(1139)
920014 Compact 24LE    11 12 1190 9.0               3738(1139)
920015 Compact 26LE    11 12 1190 11.5             3738(1139)
921013 Deluxe 30             14 14 1010 14.5 ft-lbs   3702 (1128)
921017 Deluxe 24 Plat    14 14 1010 11.5 ft-lbs    3702 (1128)
921018 Deluxe 30 Plat    14 14 1010 16.5 ft-lbs    3702 (1128)
921019 Deluxe 24           14 14 1010 Sub SX21     3702(1128)
921020 Deluxe 30           14 14 1010 Sub SX30     3702(1128)
921022 Deluxe 28           14 14 1010 11.5 ft-lbs     3702(1128)
921023 Deluxe T28         14 14 1010 11.5 ft-lbs     3702(1128)
923037 Pro                       16 14 1112 14.5ft-lbs      4076 (1242)
932038 Pro                       16 14 1112 15.5 ft-lbs     4076 (1242)
932039 Pro                       16 14 1112 16.5 ft-lbs     4076 (1242)
932040 Pro                       16 14 1112 16.5 ft-lbs     4076(1242)
926104 Pro                       16 14 1112 16.5 ft-lbs     4076(1242)
926105 Pro                       16 14 1112 16.5 ft-lbs     4076(1242)

jrtrebor

Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #22 Dec 26, 2010 4:39 pm

I had done some calculations for my Ariens as follows.
Going from the standard 2 3/4" engine pulley up to a 3 1/4".
Would give me a 200 rpm increase.
Which would in turn increase the tip velocity of the impeller blades from 4026 up to 4762 ft/sec.
That I would think, should be enough of an increase to be noticeable. Probably in the travel speed needed to clear
a certain depth of snow in a certain amount of time. Which is what I am interested in.
A throwing distance increase may also be in there somewhere. But anything beyond say 30' is just kind of icing on the cake.
Because of the different sizes of the snow stream that different chute and deflectors create.
It's hard to qualify the tons per hour capacity by the throwing distance alone. Even though a 60' throw may look impressive.

I parted out a HS928 and remember a few of the measurement. The engine drive pulley was at least 3 1/4" and may
have been 3 1/2" The impeller shaft pulley was right at 8" (9" on my Ariens). Don't remember measuring the impeller dia.
But they are 3 bladed if I remember correctly. My Ariens is 14" with 6 blades.
Honda's for sure run faster than most blowers. But maybe not that much faster than some of the newer blowers on the market.

Since reducing the clearance between the impeller blades and the housing on my blower. I can now say for sure that doing so makes a
very noticeable difference in the efficiency of the blower.(I believe that Honda's have fairly tight clearances) Especially in the wet and slushy stuff. It blows out everything that it takes in and doesn't seem
to strain as much when doing so. I haven't yet put on the bigger drive pulley. Was hoping to get a chance to try it with the larger engine and impeller modifications
before increasing the rpm. But I'm getting impatient waiting for 6" or more of snow to fall. It's always a balancing act between speeding up the blower rpm and
having enough power/torque to maintain the tonnage flow through the blower at a certain speed. I'm hoping that the HP increase and higher torque of the new
OHV engine will allow me to use the larger pulley. At the very least the new clone is going to show better results than my old 10hp Tecumseh.
Although I am somewhat wishing that I had gone with the 13Hp instead of the 11Hp. If I had the larger pulley would already been on the blower.
Not only is it not snowing here it's supposed to get into the mid forties later in the week. I guess I should just enjoy it, there is still plenty of winter time left.

This message was modified Dec 26, 2010 by jrtrebor

edgenet

If you enjoy doing it, It's not work

Location: Toronto
Joined: Nov 27, 2010
Points: 84

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #23 Dec 26, 2010 5:43 pm

I found the OEM part number 1501109MA for the pulley I googled the part # and no seller gives the size of the pulley it looks like 2 1/2" (not very scientific) I hate to guess I think I will go with a 3' or 3 1/4" max. and start with a belt 4" longer and go from there. I did get the OEM belts with the snowblower and it looks I will need 3 to 5 inch longer belts The good news there is an adjustment on the idler pulley and the drive pulley Idler pulley is tightened by a spring this should make things a bit easier.

Here is a picture of the OEM pulley

http://www.torodiscount.com/murray-1501109ma-engine-pulley-2/

If you are getting paid for what you are doing No matter how much you Enjoy it, It's a Job

jrtrebor

Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #24 Dec 26, 2010 6:41 pm

Judging by the photo of the stock pulley. I would think that your choice of 3" or 3 1/4" would be just about right. And 3 1/4" would probably work out the best.
In one of your photos it looks like you have a 27" blower? If that's true you've got plenty of engine to drive the blower using a larger pulley.
You could also try using a piece of 1/2" rope to gauge about how long a belt your going to need. Cut the end off nice and clean, hold it in the groove on top of the engine pulley.
Wrap it around the impeller pulley pull it up tight to the end your holding in the pulley. Mark the point with your thumb and then measure the rope. OPE belts from like Advance Auto
only come in one inch increments. So you can usually get one that will fit and work on the first try. Just a thought. Good luck, keep us posted.

edgenet

If you enjoy doing it, It's not work

Location: Toronto
Joined: Nov 27, 2010
Points: 84

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #25 Dec 29, 2010 7:52 pm

I can't believe my luck The only thing left is to buy a 3/8" belt for the drive wheels and I was ready for testing. I decided to tune the engine. The engine will start 1-pull like a Honda the only problem is the engine will surge if the choke is in the off position it will run smooth with 1/2 the choke on. I cleaned the main jets that did not help a closer look the Pilot Jet (on the side of the carb) is missing. I called a Honda dealer and he said the part is back-ordered till the end of Jan. If anyone out there has a junk Honda carb the pilot jet is the same from the GX120 to GX390 . I will buy the pilot jet from you. If you can help, let me know. Thanks

If you are getting paid for what you are doing No matter how much you Enjoy it, It's a Job

edgenet

If you enjoy doing it, It's not work

Location: Toronto
Joined: Nov 27, 2010
Points: 84

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #26 Jan 2, 2011 10:42 am

Here is the completed Monster SnowBlower, I painted the engine Cowling, Tank, Engine Block, Muffler Cover to give it that nice fresh Look. As you can see everything looks nice and stock when buying parts the only thing that is not stock are the 2 belts and they are off the self items.

The real challenge was mounting the idler pulley on the drive belt I managed to finish this with scrounged parts I had lying around the garage. One other item I have to change is the 3” drive pulley I made the mistake thinking the 5/8” would work better vs the ½”

The only item I have to get is the pilot Jet the original is missing and they are back-ordered from Honda till the end of Jan 2011 If anyone out there has a carb from a GX120 to GX390 or a clone Honda I will buy the pilot jet.

All I need is snow here in Toronto it was 50-F the other day. Winter generally starts around Jan 15 in these parts of Canada

Now for the Next Project. It will have to be a Bigger Engine and a Bigger SnowBlower. I have my eye on a mint 32-Inch John Deer “How abought a Twin 20-hp engine”

This message was modified Jan 2, 2011 by edgenet

If you are getting paid for what you are doing No matter how much you Enjoy it, It's a Job

borat

Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: I have a Honda 13-hp GX390 engine I want to build a monster SnowBlower. What deck should I be looking for that can handle this engine??????
Reply #27 Jan 2, 2011 11:47 am

If you know the number of the pilot jet, go to a motorcycle dealership. They usually stock a lot of carb jets. Doesn't have to be a Honda dealer either. If the Honda is using a Mikuni/Keihin/TK or other common carb, jets should be readily available.

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