Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?

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

Search For:

cleanmaxx_brian

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Original Message Mar 12, 2005 1:39 pm

Hi All,

First post here but before I start, I must say great board! I have read through many of the pages here and have learned a lot already!

OK, here is the story. My dad gave me his old Ariens snowblower 2 years ago. It has a 24 inch cutting path and has a 8HP techemsa engine. It has 5 or 6 speeds forward and one reverse. My best guess is it is 17 to 20 years old. On the outside, it is in pretty good shape as it was always kept in a garage. When i got the machine, it ran but not very well...it had to have the choke 1/2 way out and would pop through the exhaust. My dad would leave gas in it and he probably neve changed the oil!!! I took care of the easy stuff and changed the oil. I made it through the first winter and this past fall, I cleaned out the carb real well and got it to run MUCH better! I still could not push the choke in all the way though. Well today I started the machine up and before I could get to the fist pile of snow, I blew the connecting rod out the side of the block!

So I showed my wife who says we can't live without a snowblower (Oh do I love her!!!) so I explained we will need $1,000 for a replacement. I got the OK :)

My questions are:

1, Is this really worth fixing?

2, Is my old machine worth anything? I live in Wantagh Long Island NY If anyone is interested

3, If I replace, I am looking at Ariens 8526LE, or the 926DLE or the Simplicity 9560E or 1060DLE....are my choices good?

Thanks everyone,

Brian

http://www.pbase.com/cleanmaxx_brian

Brian Chang

Ariens 8526LE, Bradley 32" 12.5HP walk behind mower, Echo BP200 blower, Troy Built 4.5HP Pressure Washer, Craftsman 4.5HP Yard Vac, Homelite line trimmer, Scotts 21" high wheel mower, MTD 3.5HP Edger.

Replies: 10 - 19 of 27

All

View as Outline

cleanmaxx_brian

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #10 Mar 12, 2005 10:43 pm

I live in Wantagh, Long Island New York.

Brian Chang

Marshall

As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #11 Mar 12, 2005 10:45 pm

Cool, I was just wondering where it was snowing today. Welcome.

Majorxlr8n

Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #12 Mar 13, 2005 12:27 am

Brian,

Welcome & good score on your new machine!

Now, since I won't be getting your old machine, let me pass this on. You mentioned fitting another engine to your old machine. When I took another look at your pic of the peek-a-boo-I-see-you connecting rod, I noticed that the black fuel hose seems too long. If the fuel shutoff valve is lower than the carburetor, that could explain your lean running condition. Having this hose lower than the carb can cause fuel starvation.

Marty

cleanmaxx_brian

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #13 Mar 13, 2005 1:29 am

OOOO Good catch Marty, I never thought of that but it make perfect sense.

I must admit to you all now that I have read EVERY SINGLE Ariens post in this message board. And to be honest, the Tecumseh rod issue is scaring me. It seems if you run a tad low on oil, expect to see the inside parts on the outside

I hope the newer engines do not have the same problems!!!

Brian Chang

Majorxlr8n

Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #14 Mar 13, 2005 2:34 am

Brian,

There are thousands of older snowblowers donned with Tecumseh's that are still going strong. If you check your oil often & keep it clean, the Tecumseh will serve you well as it has done for MANY others. BUT - I will say this, they are less tolerant to low oil conditions.

Marty

nibbler

Joined: Mar 5, 2004
Points: 751

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #15 Mar 13, 2005 8:14 am

You asked about things to do with new Ariens.

I believe Ariens comes with an extensive owner's manual and it details the break in procedure. RTFM.

Basically you have to change the oil on the engine after a relatively short period of time and you have to adjust the belts after they have worn in a bit.. Its also a good idea to go over everything and check for things that are loose that shouldn't be.

Richie

Bring On The White Stuff

Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #16 Mar 13, 2005 8:17 am

cleanmaxx_brian wrote:

I also read the post that showed that all of the Simplicities machines with the B&S engines are 12 HP. What is the deal with my new machine? Is there a chance that it too has more power than what the label says????

Hi Brian,

I'd say the answer is yes to your question. Ariens lists your Tecumseh at 8.5 HP. I have that same engine on my Toro 828 LXE and Toro sells it as an 8 HP. Ben, one of our forum members, was able to check the operating RPM for me on his Ariens and found it to be running at 3,450 RPM's, where mine was originally running at 3,300 RPM's. The 150 RPM difference is why they are rating these engines at two different HP's. Originally I thought these engines to be 9 HP L-heads derated by the snowblower manufacturer to what you see them labeled at.

What has been very interesting is that Fred and Ben both have been insisting that these engines are actually an 11 HP derated for marketing purposes. What I've done this past week is check the internal specifications taken directly from my Tecumseh Technician's Handbook, which is the actual manual you would use to service the internals of all 3 to 11 HP 4 cycle L-head engines. It shows that the 10 and 11 HP L-head engines have a slightly larger bore by 0.187" I can tell you for a fact that this minor difference shows me that on a dyno, all these engines would produce basically the same horse power.

The restrictive muffler on all our OPE engines, just to name one thing, is what really keeps them from producing very much power, especially running in the mid-3,000 RPM range. The only way you are going to move up in HP and torque is to move up to a twin cylinder engine, but those are not offered on snowblowers. People think just by boring or honing a cylinder say, 0.020" will turn it into a super engine. Well, that isn't the case especially on these single cylinder engines. Think about how small that amount is, basically two-thirds less than the spark plug gap is on your car engine.

I'm very happy I didn't waste another $400.00 on the top 11 HP OHV engine offered by Toro, even that engine has exactly the same displacement as my L-head engine and tells me a lot. I'd get yourself a good digital Tach/Hour meter for your machine and reset the governed speed up to 3,600 RPM's and it'll put you on an even playing field with what is considered a higher HP engine. I'm convinced this is what has been going on and how to beat them at their own game. I'd wait until the engine is broken in after the first oil change. Switch over to Mobil 1 oil too at that time.

Richie

cleanmaxx_brian

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #17 Mar 13, 2005 12:55 pm

Thanks for all the replys. Here may be the real reason I threw the rod...When I was working on the carb over the summer, it over reved...a lot! I fixed it but she was screaming at one point. Now it ran fine all this summer but I bet it stressed something.

As to the power issue, there is no way to really know for sure but as long as this 8.5HP can hang with my old 8HP, I will be happy.

Now for all you picture junkies like me

I have taken some pics of the old and new machine. I bet some of you guys can really tell me what I had and when it was made!

http://www.pbase.com/cleanmaxx_brian/ariens

Brian Chang

pw3258

Joined: Mar 2, 2005
Points: 4

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #18 Mar 13, 2005 1:45 pm

Based on the condition of the old one, it certainly looks like it would be worth putting a new engine on.

jubol

Location: Dover, De
Joined: Oct 3, 2003
Points: 1558

Re: Threw a connecting rod on my old Ariens, time to replace?
Reply #19 Mar 13, 2005 3:43 pm

Brian,

If I had your blower with the blown engine, I'd rebuild her and put a little bigger engine on it.

That would give you a strong backup blower!

Save the carb on your old engine, rebuild it, why it's adjustable. Use it on the engine you buy.

Check out; Small Engine Warehouse for a replacement engine. Good prices!!

Fred

Husqvarna STE927(11.5HP) snowblower, MTD Pro Series 18/42 Lawnmower, MTD 6.5 HP Self Prop Lawn Mower, Weedeater 1500 Blower, Web Gensis 2000

Replies: 10 - 19 of 27

All

View as Outline