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Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > How good are aluminum bore engines?

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coasteray


El Toro! 1028 LXE
Tecumseh 358cc
10hp


Location: NE Washington State
Joined: Mar 3, 2008
Points: 142

How good are aluminum bore engines?
Original Message   Feb 17, 2011 2:46 am
It would be good to hear some thoughts about the quality of the aluminum bore engine these days.  I've read about "nickelsil" coating, plating, etc.  See this link for some interesting reading:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1721394&page=1

I'll admit I'm not very informed about these items, but could one assume that the Briggs engines from the past 5 or more years with the aluminum bore feature this type of technology?  It also really gets confusing when Briggs keeps coming out with new engine names:  Intek, Snow, Snow Max, Polar Force (Ariens blowers), Professional (Simplicity blowers), and any more I don't know about?  Some with cast iron bore, some with aluminum.

In addition, I've read about the pistons having plating/coating instead of the bore.  True?  Anyway, I'd like to see some good stuff from lots of you.  Thanks.


This message was modified Feb 17, 2011 by coasteray


  El Toro! 1028 LXE - Tecumseh 358cc 10hp   Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
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PACKO


Joined: Nov 19, 2008
Points: 70

Re: How good are aluminum bore engines?
Reply #1   Feb 17, 2011 7:51 am
I have no idea how long a snow thrower engine with an aluminum bore will last.  I do have experience with a 31 year old BMW motorcycle engine(1000cc) with 160,000 miles on it.  It was the first year for aluminum cylinders with nicasil coated bore. Mine still have heavy cross hatching in the bore and show little to no wear.  It is said they go about 300,000 miles and then you replace them.  A non-coated bore is a whole new story.
mml4


Snow is good,
Deep snow is better!


Joined: Dec 31, 2003
Points: 544

Re: How good are aluminum bore engines?
Reply #2   Feb 17, 2011 8:31 am
I have two Tecumseh powered vertical shaft engines -one in a lawnmower and one in a leaf shredder that date back to the mid 1970,s. Both are aluminum bore and are still giving me good service till this day. That being said I still would prefer a cast iron bore if it were available. I guess it's the tyranny of tradition.

Marc 

SnapperV210P,Toro22177,TroyBilt42010Snowthrower,Craftsman Shredder,American Turbo Pressure Washer HondaGX200,Stihl011Saw,EchoPas260Trimmer Edger,EchoPB602Blower,EchoHCR150Hedge Clipper
edgenet


If you enjoy doing it, It's not work

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

Re: How good are aluminum bore engines?
Reply #3   Feb 17, 2011 9:09 am
Change the oil every 40 hours of use or 1-once a year and any engine should last and last and last. Many people are afraid of any new change. Thank god some items are not made like they used to be. Change is good or we would still be staring at the sky wondering is we can fly.
This message was modified Feb 26, 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: How good are aluminum bore engines?
Reply #4   Feb 17, 2011 9:34 am
From what I've read, aluminum bore engines are very well suited for snow blower applications. 

The mechanical advantage is that it's more effective at transferring heat from the piston to the cylinder.  That, combined with operating in generally cooler conditions, should ensure a relatively competitive engine life.  

I have the 305cc Intek Snow engine in my machine and I'm impressed with it's power and smooth operation.   After breaking in the engine with conventional 5W30 oil, I switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W30.  For some reason, it consumed excessive amounts of that particular oil and after 70 hours of use, the spark plug was a gummed up mess.   I have since switched to Castrol 5W30 high mileage conventional oil.   After approx. 5 hours of use, the spark plug is looking pretty good so far and oil consumption appears to be less as well.  I need more time on the machine using to confirm if the synthetic oil was incompatible with my engine or, if the engine just likes to consume oil.   Either way, it's a strong engine, starts first pull and is relatively quiet and smooth.  

As previoulsly mentioned, with regular oil changes and the occasional valve adjustment, in most cases, t will likely last or outlast the life of the machine it's on.  
bus708


Location: Maryland
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 321

Re: How good are aluminum bore engines?
Reply #5   Feb 17, 2011 10:53 am
Personaly I believe for small engines with a aluminim bore engine should be fine. They do not put out big hp like car engines. The more hp the engine has the more stress on the bore. Small engines is a go, a car engine no go.
FullThrottle


Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 17

Re: How good are aluminum bore engines?
Reply #6   Feb 17, 2011 4:57 pm
Plated aluminum  cylinders work good. But they have to be the hardest surface in there. So the rings they use have to be softer. Same on the pistons, the coatings they use are for thermo or slickness not hardness. Sleds are pushing 170 hp  on plated cylinders and 400 hp on mods. Strength is not a problem. Plated cylinder have been around over 40 years
coasteray


El Toro! 1028 LXE
Tecumseh 358cc
10hp


Location: NE Washington State
Joined: Mar 3, 2008
Points: 142

Re: How good are aluminum bore engines?
Reply #7   Feb 25, 2011 12:55 am
I appreciate the comments.  Good stuff.  Thanks.

  El Toro! 1028 LXE - Tecumseh 358cc 10hp   Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
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