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

I have a 2010 Platinum 24.  I only seem to use it for EOD duty and the occasional heavy storm.  I use my singe-stage for everything else.  Could I optimize my Ariens by removing the stock 250cc Polar Force engine and bolting on a bigger engine...let's say a 342cc or something similar?  Is there a bigger Briggs (Polar force, Intek, etc.) that would mount on that frame and accomplish my objective without too much modification?  The stock engine is ok, but if my goal is to cut down the EOD pile and be able to throw it across the street would the big motor/24" bucket combo get me there?  I don't care about the warranty.  Can anyone recommend a specific engine for this project and the associated parts (pulleys, belts,etc.) that might be required?  And of course some extra shear pins! 

Strange that they would allow the pulley to sit out 2" past the end of the shaft which is probably 2 7/8" long as this will put a lot of stress on the main engine shaft bearing.  One option you have is to have a piece of 1" dia stock center drilled for the correct size hole so you can bolt the crankshaft extension to the original shaft and effectively extending the crankshaft 2"  i would suggest using a grade 8 bolt of the correct thread and size to attach it with.  Any machine shop can easily center drill the shaft on a milling machine. I suspect this would be easier than trying to find the correct size lower pulley with the correct offset.

Carl

Yes, the accessory drive pulley on the engine shaft is a unique design.  It is keyed and slides on the shaft easily.  All pulleys (this one and the drive pulley below it) are held in place on the engine shaft by a 3/8" x 2" long bolt in the end of the shaft.

you could have the machine shop  drill and key a larger piece of stock to go over the existing crankshaft end and then have it turned down to 1" to accept standard pulleys further out but that might get a little expensive.  That appears to be a very short crankshaft end sticking out of the engine

carlb:  The engine driveshaft is actually 2 7/8" long just as you thought.  The drive pulley is still on the shaft in the picture.  It probably looks shorter because it's cold in the garage!

slinger wrote:
If you go up to something like a 342cc (11hp) from a 250cc (8hp).  Your probably getting into a different block size.  Eight and ten horse blocks are usually the same.  11 & 13 horse are usually the same but
larger than the eight and ten. It's that way with Honda's so I'm assuming it's that way with Briggs.  If it is, then the engine mount bolts holes will be different.  The crankshaft vertical center line
will be higher and the engine will probably have to be moved back on the blower.  The belt cover may also not fit because of the higher crankshaft.  Not trying to discourage you, just pointing out
some other things that may be involved in re-powering your blower. 

Another modification that you might consider.  Check to see how much clearance you have between the tips of the impeller
blades and the impeller housing. If it's more than a 1/8" say 1/4 to 5/16".  Buying an impeller kit or extending the blades by adding on weld. Will give you a noticeable improvement in throwing
distance. And the blowers ability to throw really wet almost slushy snow.  Having said that, improving the impellers efficiency will also put a bigger load on the engine.
But you could then upgrade from the 8hp to a 10hp (instead of an 11hp) to pick up some additional power.  And staying with the same block size would eliminate the problems of going up a block size.
Assuming the eight and ten horse Briggs engines share the same block size.  Just some thoughts.
 I re-powered my Ariens 1032 with an 11hp Honda clone (and have now put a 13hp Honda on it)
Increased the the blower drive pulley from 2 3/4" to 3 1/4".  And decreased the impeller blade clearance to 1/16+
Here is a video of the throwing distances it has now.  Most of the snow was dense over plow and had been sitting for days. It's great fun to use!
Doing the same modifications on a blower with a 24" bucket instead if a 32" bucket.  And you would have no trouble throwing across the street.
Blower video

I really enjoy watching that video.  That modified Ariens is a beast.  Have you noticed significant difference with the 13 hp Honda clone engine?

aa335 wrote:

I've been following the modifications that you have done on the Ariens, very impressed with the resourcefulness.  I'm glad you have the tools and technique to do.  That Ariens has great ability to move a good volume of snow, and I think the tapering of the chute deflector will help tighten the stream.

My Honda 1132 was bought brand new and still all stock.  It is a beauty and moves snow so well that I've never had any urge to modify it.  It doesn't quite have the volumetric capacity of your modified Ariens, but it is a highly efficient machine that puts out a very tight stream of snow.  I've been studying why this is so and it comes down to the blower and chute section.  All the little nuances which you have incorporated into the Ariens, with the help of the huge 390cc engine.

I'm very proud of my stable of snowblowers.  Each one was chosen as the pinnacle or unique of its kind or time.  An Ariens Pro 28 might the next acquisition.  But not just yet, I'm waiting to see what else Ariens have to offer besides shoehorning a huge engine.  That's too easy for other manufacturers to leapfrog.

Looking forward to seeing more of your videos of the Ariens with the new 390cc engine.  Perhaps a gently curved metal chute with a 2 section deflector is on your list of mods.

"If you go up to something like a 342cc (11hp) from a 250cc (8hp). Your probably getting into a different block size. Eight and ten horse blocks are usually the same. 11 & 13 horse are usually the same but
larger than the eight and ten. It's that way with Honda's so I'm assuming it's that way with Briggs. If it is, then the engine mount bolts holes will be different. The crankshaft vertical center line
will be higher and the engine will probably have to be moved back on the blower. The belt cover may also not fit because of the higher crankshaft."

Actually,  the Ariens Platinum 24 & 30 differ mostly in the bucket and the motor.  The engine mount area is drilled for both the 250cc engine and the 342cc.  The 342 mounts a little further back to allow for the larger size.  The pulleys are the same, so the same belt cover is used, the crankshaft height is the same....if all I wanted to do is swap engines it's a breeze and requires only a few bucks worth of stock Ariens parts.  But that does me no good without being able to increase the impeller rpms at least a little to improve throw performance.  If I can't achieve that I'll probably just do an impeller kit and call it a day.  So close but yet so far without the right pulleys which appear to be custom parts. 

I fear, based on the photo of the Ariens pulley for the impeller, you will have no choice except custom parts to achive your goal of increasing impeller speed.  While the lower pulley may be an option if you can find an automotive type with the correct offset and diameter it will not be easy and winter is just around the corner.  If I remember correctly you said your impeller clearance was about 1/4".  If you put an impeller kit on it will make quite a difference and you may still achive your goal of a further throwing machine.  Going slow and not allowing the engine to bog will also help maintain a good throwing distance.  

Good Luck

Carl