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.

The short block  for the 5 hp H50 is available, for around $200. I could also recondition the one I have. But I'd like more power so that I can throw snow a bit farther and run in second gear more often. With the current (old) engine I have to run in 1st for anything more than 5-6" of powder or even less if the snow is at all heavy or wet. It seems to me it didn't do a lot better when it was newer. The crankshaft is in the same location and the shaft is the same diameter (or I'd go with a 8hp!) and the new mounting holes aren't any big deal. All I need is one flat sheet metal bracket and a U-joint to change the chute handle - a guy who has done this (with an OHSK70) sent me pictures.

I'm thinking that a new 7.5 hp engine has to be more powerful than a reconditioned L-head 5 hp. Given the small cost differential between the two options the new engine seems attractive. I could buy another used Ariens 7hp and sell mine for only about a $50 delta but thought that going with a new engine was more attractive since I can sell the running 5hp on eBay or the like. I could also buy a 24" 8hp but they weigh more and that wouldn't be helpful for the manuevering I have to do.

Tough call, Garandman.  Sounds like you will have to do some fabricating regardless of engine used.  The B&S Intek  would be the engine of choice.  Don't let the numbers fool you. It WILL perform well.

Although..................replacing that machine with a newer one, that could receive a new engine, more easily if needed, is an option you can't ignore.  You may be able to find one that you could get many years of service from, and recoup some cost by selling the old one as is.  There always seems to be someone looking for something to tinker with.

As far as rebuilding goes,IMHO, they usually don't last all that long  that you feel you got your moneys worth.

Ken

Garandman,

Why not go with a Tec OHV 7HP.

With that , I don't  think you would have any bolt up, or foot print  problems.

                                                                  Fred     

jubol wrote:

I agree.  I don't know for sure, but that engine would seem to be the least fuss to install and more HP to boot!

Ken

The amount of work required to replace the H50 with the Tecumseh OHSK70 or the Briggs & Stratton Intek Snow 7.5 is identical. In both cases (and the Honda, and most engines of this size, it turns out) have the same 3/4" shaft mounted at the same height.  I have pictures of both the Snow King and Intek Snow mounted on the same blower from folks who have done it. The local Honda dealer has an employee who mounted a GX200 on the same one, to boot, but I have not seen that one.

  All of them (and me) were interested in keeping the same extraordinarily robust old Ariens but with a more modern engine. The Honda is more expensive but has 10 ft lbs of torque compared to 6.5 for the B&S. That's a big increase. The Tecumseh torque value is unknown: only answer I've gotten is "same as the Intek Snow."

 Garandman,

I think the Tec engine mount holes are the same on the 7HP as your present 5.

Briggs will require drilling new engine mount holes, with the Tec, bolt it on.

Also check out, Tulsa Engine Warehouse, as they have the drawings of the engines,both Briggs and Tec's, with bolt patterns.                                          

                                                                                                         Fred    

The new Tecumseh has the same size bolt pattern - but it's in a different location. The shaft height is the same for all of them. I have a picture a guy sent me that shows the relationship between the old and new. I took the drawings and made a dimensional cutout to see how the replacements would fit, and have pictures of my exact model with a Snow King and an Intek.  The exact same amount of work is required to fit any of the new engines. The exact same amount of work is required to fit any of the new engines.  The exact same amount of work is required to fit any of the new engines.......

I don't need electric start, so hunting around online including ePay, the best delivered prices I have so far:

Tecumseh HMSK 70 w/ 3/4" shaft - $255.
B&S Intek Snow 7.5 w/ 3/4" shaft - $240.
Honda GX200 w/ 3/4" shaft - $355.

Small Engine Warehouse seems to have the best prices overall, and folks who have done busines with them seem satisfied.

Garandman wrote:

Prices really drop sharply when you don't purchase an engine with the lighting alternator or 110 volt electric starter.  I'd go with the Intec.  If that engine performs as good as it looks, you'll have a winner. 

  Garandman,

If it is the same work for all, I agree with Richie, go with the Briggs Intek.

It should make one heck of a difference.

Also I think you are going to have to change your pulleys , because of the increased HP.

You will be going from a 5 to a 7.5 which is 150% of original!

                                                               Fred 

Another option online.   http://engine4less.com/shop/customer/home.php?cat=357

                                                                                                                         Kevin