[AaronWeinacht]

All:

First post here, so bear with the newbie.

I've got an old Garden Way "Horse" tiller, it looks as though there's quite a bit of discussion of those around here. It has the 6 hp Tecumseh engine, which broke the piston rod into several pieces, last time I ran it. The flying pieces inside the crankcase tool out the governor gear, for a good measure.

I've looked around a bit for parts, and the governor gear is pretty easy to find. The piston rod, though, is no longer available from standard sources (jackssmallengines, etc...).

It looks as though you can get aftermarket versions on ebay. Any experience with those? Do any of you know of any likely sources for an OEM piston rod?

Finally, any opinions on the 6 hp Tecumseh vs. the 7 hp Kohler that were standard on these tillers? Was the mounting bolt pattern the same for both engines? I was thinking that if fixing the tecumseh wasn't possible, then maybe I could run down one of the Kohler engines.

Thoughts?

Aaron

 

[GravelyNM]

If you've got $100, the Harbor Freight engine is a great replacement. There are several write ups here which include necessary details about bolt sizes. Search for repower.

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[Ss313]

I replaced a sometimes good running 6hp Tecumseh with a Predator. It is now a good running all of the time tiller.
It was a direct bolt on with the only non stock part being the bolt that holds the pulley on. I don’t remember what size it needed to be but I had one in my bolt bin.


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[AaronWeinacht]

I wouldn't buy HF for anything that will see such heavy-duty use. At least, that's been my experience with them in the past.

Another question then: so it looks as though Garden Way tillers used the HH60 Tecumseh engine. Jacksmallengines has a whole pile of sub-model numbers under that heading. The model number on my engine appears to be gone. I'm fairly confident that I'm looking at the correct piston rod and governor gear. However, I'd like to replace the oil seals and gaskets while I'm at it. Are those gaskets and seals going to be the same among all the HH60 engines, or am I going to have to find the exact model I've got?

Aaron

 

[chzuck]

Here is what I have done in the past. Get the parts list for your engine. Model # is stamped on the air housing. Get the Tecumseh part number and search ebay. I have found parts that way the majority of the time for these older engines. Recently worked on my 1986 Snapper's IC B&S. Saved a lot of money over buying from an online supplier and purchased all OEM parts. Bought everything Buy it now, shipping included.

 

[Everlandfarm]

I've seen Predators on tillers, log splitters, go carts, etc. I'd guess you'll spend at least that much in parts and shipping, if you can find everything. Now comes the fun of getting it together and hopefully running. I took a 6HP TEC off a JD walk behind tiller due to parts being expensive and difficult to find. Best move I ever made. The only potential issue would be having the engine cut out due to the low oil switch if the machine bounces a lot, mine doesn't. From what I've read, just unplug the low oil sensor.

 

[chzuck]

I am running a 4.5hp Clinton on my Troy-Bilt Horse and have plenty of power for all that I need to do.

 

[AaronWeinacht]

I've seen Predators on tillers, log splitters, go carts, etc. I'd guess you'll spend at least that much in parts and shipping, if you can find everything. Now comes the fun of getting it together and hopefully running. I took a 6HP TEC off a JD walk behind tiller due to parts being expensive and difficult to find. Best move I ever made. The only potential issue would be having the engine cut out due to the low oil switch if the machine bounces a lot, mine doesn't. From what I've read, just unplug the low oil sensor.

I think I've now found the parts I need. It the putting-it-back-together doesn't go well, I'll fess up and eat crow, so everyone can say "I told you so." :tango_face_smile:

I rebuild a lot of hunder-plus year old woodworking equipment. This has increased my HF allergy, perhaps to an unwise extent, as we shall see.

Aaron

 

[Cranman]

I've repowered many log splitters, Horse tillers, and snowblowers with HF engines. My personal snowblower is a 1980 Ariens 824 I repowered with the 6.5 HF engine in 1999. Still running like new. I've been using the Chinese Honda clones on cranberry equipment since 1996....no major issues......and cheap enough to have replacement motors on the shelf if needed.....

 

[Forest Gump]

Here is what I have done in the past. Get the parts list for your engine. Model # is stamped on the air housing. Get the Tecumseh part number and search ebay. I have found parts that way the majority of the time for these older engines. Recently worked on my 1986 Snapper's IC B&S. Saved a lot of money over buying from an online supplier and purchased all OEM parts. Bought everything Buy it now, shipping included.

Right about finds correct parts: and to answer your question you are rolling the $$ dice just buying Tecumseh parts by look W/O a part number. They made several internal changes to their engines over the years that are not readily apparent just looking at the block. ]Do you have the FREE Service manual download for the L-head Tecumsehs?? m&d mower might be good place to look at IPL's for your engine. Scroll down on the right side of the home page to Tecumseh and then your ID numbers from the long list. Good place to compare interchange also per HP.

The old GW tillers also used a Briggs engine. If HF keeps leaving a bad taste in your mouth keep a eye open for a pressure washers engine. I find pressures washers dirt cheap that have good engines, Briggs and Honda, usually 5 HP and the pump is usually bad and a real good late model engine.

I operate some Tecumseh's, and like the engines, but I only use parts from donor motors to keep mine going usually. I do not bother getting any serious money into obselete Tecumsehs and I do not bother even touching one for someone else.

 

[AaronWeinacht]

"They made several internal changes to their engines over the years that are not readily apparent just looking at the block. ]Do you have the FREE Service manual download for the L-head Tecumsehs?? m&d mower might be good place to look at IPL's for your engine."

Yes, I've been looking at that manual. Thanks for the reference to M&D mower, I wasn't familar with that outfit.

Aaron

 

[Pastorwilliam]

HF predator 6.5 is a very nice replacement, it starts great and performs perfectly. Power to spare, i wouldnt wory about finding parts for the old original worry wort that only runs good sometimes and is hard to start or even maintain. 100.00 and your fixed and happy. In these cases H.F is the way to go. Just my 2 cents, but i love mine.

 

[hatzie]

I have a good running Tecumseh HH60 from a 1976 Horse that I acquired this spring. Not a beauty contest winner but no smoke and it starts on the 1st or 2nd pull. I'd part with it for $150 plus whatever it costs to pack it and ship the dry motor UPS or FedEx ground Insured.

Even tho I have a spare HH60 motor to sell I'll say this... If you intend to keep the tiller I'd repower it with a Honda GX160 or a Predator 212.

The 6.5hp Honda and the Predator bolt right up. I've done both. The cheaper Predator doesn't seem to have any less juice than the Honda that I moved to my log splitter. They both seem to have more power on tap than the HH60. It may be the improved torque curve of the OHV design is better suited to the task at hand or it may be just my subjective assessment. They are definitely a lot quieter than the old Tecumseh and I re-fuel a lot less.

Both motors are made in mainland China... No... Honda isn't building them in Taiwan.
If you're going to go with a Honda get the GX commercial duty motor not the light duty GC motor. The Honda GX160 is $330 from Northern Tool.
The Predator 212 is $99 til the end of this month with a HarborFreight coupon. If you miss this sale they go on sale for $99 several times a year. Even the $119 full price isn't bad.

The Predator 212 might not last as long as a Honda GX160 but it seems to run just as well for the 40+ hours I've put on it.