[Shryp]

She isn't perfect, but she looks a lot better than the old rustbucket in my avatar. I downgraded from the 340cc Greyhound to a 212cc Predator and it doesn't run as well as the old Greyhounds. Surges a lot and has to have half choke to run smooth. The gas I had was a couple months old so maybe that is part of the problem. If some new gas doesn't solve it does anyone have any good info or links on drilling the jets or buying new ones? I have never done that myself. I did see one or 2 youtube videos on jets an emulsion tubes, but all that did was confuse me since the tubes all had different hole patterns.

Still haven't had much snow to try it on. Gave it a first test run today and it did pretty well. I had to shovel first to get a pile of snow deep enough to have something to blow. Did get one stupid look from someone walking down the street when I was taking the pictures.

Yes, this is a late 1970s model that now has black handlebars and augers. I hope no one tells Scot on me

 

[CADplans]

Now you need to add all the "correct" decals, Do not stick hand in here, Caution HOT!!, wheel will turn unexpectedly, etc.......... :drunkie:

Looks great, I am saving up my painting chores 'til Spring!! :crybaby:

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Looks like new again! :fing32:

 

[Shryp]

Thanks guys. I actually started on it late summer / early fall. It has been together for a while now, but I never took any pictures of it until yesterday.

Decals would be nice, but I am not concerned about them. As for the "safety" decals, no point in that since I removed the electrical safety lever on the right side handle.

 

[Shryp]

I just watched a few more videos about the clone carbs and think I understand how they work now. I saw most of the Honda's have an adjustable idle mixture screw so decided to go see if mine did. Mine just looks like it has a cap pressed in there. I pulled the idle stop screw out and pulled the pilot jet out. That hole really is tiny. Wasn't impressed to find 2 small chrome looking flakes of metal stuck to the side of the plastic holding the jet. It did seem to run a little bit better after putting it back together. I haven't tried opening the jet up yet as I still want to get some fresh gas before I go messing with it. Suppose now I should just take the whole carb apart and make sure nothing else is hiding inside.

 

[Shryp]

(Sorry for the multiple posts. Short edit time here.)

Good news!

I dumped the old gas and took the carb apart. It was clean everywhere so I guess those couple flakes I found on the idle jet were a fluke.
I put it back together and put new gas in it. Didn't make much of a difference in how it ran.

I took the idle jet back out and ran a torch tip cleaner through it. The smallest one didn't fit all the way. I "forced" it through and then it could slide in and out.
The "file" part wouldn't fit because the lead was too long so I cut part of the lead off it. Now the file part is just too thick completely. Oh well, I put it back together and it runs a little better.

I take the main jet out and put a file in that. One is a little too small, but the next size wouldn't fit at all. So I take the smaller one and try to ream it a bit. Didn't really seem to do anything, but I don't want to go too far. I put it back together.

Now it works great! I can even start it without choke once it is warmed up. Smooth as can be, good acceleration from idle to full. Picks up well when engaging the auger on idle and on full speed without any stutter. So if anyone else has problems with their Predator 212cc 6.5HP surging opening the jets just a hair will do wonders for it.

It is still about 45 degrees here so not sure how it will run when it gets cold, but now I am a lot happier.

 

[scipper77]

Ironically, my predator does not surge at all but my 2005 briggs does it pretty bad. I have to run at 1/2 choke all the time. More choke and is bogs and smokes, less choke and it surges.

At some point I'm going to tear the carb down and randomly open up jets with drill bits. The way I see it the rebuild kits are $20 and come with new jets so I have $20 to lose. But opening up the jets may make it run better than new (assuming its designed to run a little lean for emissions).

 

[scipper77]

Yes, this is a late 1970s model that now has black handlebars and augers. I hope no one tells Scot on me

I've been on Scot's site and respect his opinion. Scot and I both live in Rochester where we have seen Kodak just plain evaporate due to an inability to keep up with global competition. But....

You can not buy a new motor for this application that is made in the US. I really don't think he cares if you change the paint scheme but I know slapping a China motor on a classic American machine bothers many people.

 

[GusGT18]

It looks nice. What brand/color orange did you use?

 

[Shryp]

It looks nice. What brand/color orange did you use?

Sorry for the late reply.

Chevy Orange Engine Enamel Spray Paint by Rustoleum.

 

[FarWest]

Can you tell me more about the tires you used? What size are they? My craigslist ariens has 4101/3.5-6 turf tires on it. I'm getting it ready with a new predator engine and have been reviewing your thread and scipper77s for help.

 

[scipper77]

Nice to know that my little thread is of help. I just went back and looked there are only 23 posts, the vast majority of which are mine but there are 7,699 views!! I'm feeling like taking the time to document that little swap was definitely worth my while. I just hope it has helped as I am a firm believer that that what these forums are for.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Nice to know that my little thread is of help. I just went back and looked there are only 23 posts, the vast majority of which are mine but there are 7,699 views!! I'm feeling like taking the time to document that little swap was definitely worth my while. I just hope it has helped as I am a firm believer that that what these forums are for.

:thThumbsU Being a large forum and most of us being pinched for time, lot of reading going on but not always time to post a reply. But the views tell the tale. Some of the quiet ones even get inspired and are the next to eventually post a story of a successful repair or restore. :trink39:

 

[JRC IOWA]

Looks good:fing32:

 

[Shryp]

Can you tell me more about the tires you used? What size are they? My craigslist ariens has 4101/3.5-6 turf tires on it. I'm getting it ready with a new predator engine and have been reviewing your thread and scipper77s for help.

They are 13x5x6 Snow Hogs. The originals were 4.10/3.5 - 6. I have heard the X-Track design works better, but I have never tried those.

 

[mikeinri]

Great job!

While I think we would all prefer to buy American, the companies have been doing this to themselves by shipping all the manufacturing overseas. It's hard to feel patriotic for the shareholders when the jobs are sent away...

The good news is, you're able to buy something (cheap) and keep that old American machine going!

Mike

 

[scipper77]

Great job!

While I think we would all prefer to buy American, the companies have been doing this to themselves by shipping all the manufacturing overseas. It's hard to feel patriotic for the shareholders when the jobs are sent away...

The good news is, you're able to buy something (cheap) and keep that old American machine going!

Mike

You simply can not buy a small motor in this size that is made in the USA with the only exception being a Honda (very expensive but high quality). Briggs now makes all of there small motors in China. I personally like the Honda clones over the briggs if I am choosing between Chinese motors. I will say that when I blew a head gasket on my '05 8.5 hp briggs, customer service was top notch. They sent me excerpts from there service manuals for the job and even sent me a new head gasket that I was in no way entitled to (out of warranty).

 

[ryoder]

Earlier in this thread several posters mentioned that the forum benefits many readers who do not reply. This is definitely true for me - I have been perusing the posts for months and have gained valuable info, but just joined yesterday. Also, I have been tinkering with engines for some time now, so hopefully my suggestion will be of some help, at some point in the future.

 

[closetcanibal]

Now you need to add all the "correct" decals, Do not stick hand in here, Caution HOT!!, wheel will turn unexpectedly, etc.......... :drunkie:

Looks great, I am saving up my painting chores 'til Spring!! :crybaby:

Clickitandstickit.com. If you have dimensions and pics of the old decals they will make brand new ones for you


Old beats new any day!!!!

 

[ryoder]

Looks great! I noticed that you used Rust Oleum engine enamel instead of regular spray paint. I plan to repaint my Atlas next summer and am trying to decide which type of paint to use. Does engine enamel hold up better for normal temperature conditions?