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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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.

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 #28 Jan 2, 2011 11:58 am

Nice looking machine. Just slipped in under the chute crank so no mods there. You mentioned an issue with bolting it on. What went on there? Did you have to drill new holes or what?

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 #29 Jan 2, 2011 4:52 pm

Yes I had to drill 4 new holes and the rear holes perfectly lined up with the transmission pulleys it was almost imposible to push the bolts from underneath. Bolting the engine down took me a few hours fiddling etc etc. If I had to build more of these all I would do is drill the holes push the bolts from the top just below the deck and weld the suckers and that would be a 10 minute job. This is why 1-of custom builds take much longer. All in all I am very happy with the result.

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

GtWtNorth

https://t.me/pump_upp

Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Joined: Nov 16, 2008
Points: 264

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 #30 Jan 2, 2011 5:21 pm

Congrats, you did a nice job. Hope you get some snow to try it out. But wait, don't you guys in Toronto just call in the army when you get any snow!

Cheers

https://t.me/pump_upp

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 #31 Jan 5, 2011 5:02 am

Huston we have a problem. This has me a bit frustrated. The blower heats the belt to a point where it bakes it and due to the heat the belt shrinks and that is the end of the belt. The thing that is frustrating is that this blower has an adjusting idler pulley allowing to make a fine adjustment on the belt. The pulley I am using is ½ inch wide I am wondering if this pulley is to narrow vs an A&B wide pulley. Any suggestions

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

MN_Runner

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

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 #32 Jan 5, 2011 7:38 pm

How's the alignment? Are they perfectly aligned? Excessive heat is a result of friction (even small mis-aligment can produce large heat). Do you have an IR camera? If yes, you can see the heat source.

This message was modified Jan 5, 2011 by MN_Runner

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 #33 Jan 5, 2011 8:24 pm

Mn-Runner you were correct the auger pulley was out of allignment by 1/4" and I also re-installed the same size ideler pully as the orginal. I installed a larger idler-pulley thinking it will be a heavier duty unit and for some reason that made the belt shake like crazy in the stop mode. I wish I did have the gun that would have help.

One other point eventhough it has the ajustable idler pulley. I am using a 1/2" x 38" belt It is just loose enough to work with the 3" x 5/8' auger pulley. I changed the pulley to 1/2" x 3" so I would be consistent with the lower auger pully now the 38" belt is to tight and the 39" belt is too loose even with the ideler pulley adjust to max-in. I re-installed the 5/8 pulley with the 38" belt. Buttom line if I want to use the 1/2" pulley I will have to find a 38-1/2" belt. All off the off the shelf belts are sold in 1" increments. At this point I am hopping the 5/8" pulley will provide a good grip using the 1/2" belt. Nothing is straight forward. One step at a time I guess.

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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