I did the predator swap on my old Ariens that had a 8hp Tecumseh, it was good for 6 years and then it started to get weak and smoky, it finally cracked the case as a rod let loose, i did not discard the Tecumseh though, which i rebuild at a friends machine shop when we had free time, it sat all shiny ready to go as the Predator rattled its death throes this winter, a quick swap back on to its old home and, now i know what it was like when the Ariens was new, that 8hp has torque i never had with the Predator, the rebuild cost the same as the Predator but it lasted 38 years to the Predators 6 years. I guess Made in the USA is a memory of how it used to be.
Haha sweet old machines! I am partial to Toros from the 70’s through 90’s but awesome Volvo by the way. I have a 2013 R Design in the same color with the Polestar tune.
Thanks! Its funny i grew up with Toros ive actually been eyeballing some older 1132's kicking around, i wanna try doing a Diesel swap next. They make a 6.5 diesel engine you can buy for 250$ off amazon now
are the Tecumseh engines your pulling off have dual output shafts? One for wheels and the other main shaft for the augar?? the Predators only have the one shaft from my understanding so im curious how the transmission gets power to it?? I have a 5hp 922024 model and i cant swap to the predator because of the dual output.
The dual output shaft engines add a pulley to the camshaft and is used to run the wheel system, i dont think it is possible to convert those over, you most likely will have to stick with another Tecumseh of that style
This guy talks about it. If you search there are lots of videos on how to convert it, but this guys explanation is probably the easiest. There are so many designs out there for the engagement of the drive (though the drive systems are pretty similar), it's hard to say if you'd have the same design! czcams.com/video/KAECrtUwTck/video.html
420 swaps take a bit of work. You'll need custom pullies & belts, and also a belt guard. It has been done, but it takes more work. The beauty of a 212 swap is its super simple
@@Nicky_Pin_It my dad and I got his 60s craftsman up and running with the 212- just had to drill new mounting holes. A year ago he 212 swapped an even older single stage craftsman junk yard find. I wish he would get into a newer Ariens but he loves that old school chain drive! Its worked fantastically for him and he hasnt even removed the air filter or rejetted the carb. Sounds like the 212 may be the logical choice for the old ariens that's been rotting away in my yard
YES. Ive seen tons of different brands with Predators swapped into them, i do however recommend you stay away from "box store" brand machines(craftsman, mtd, yard machines, etc) the quality just isnt there. Cant go wrong with Ariens, Toro, Honda.
Loved the vid man. Ive got a honda gx390 sitting on the floor......thinkin....but cant argue with a 99 buck deal there...... so I take it your favorite is the 10000 series? I dont know these models all that much, but the newer stuff have nice tall chutes.
I do like the 10000 series. They are super tough and easy to use. Mine was upgraded to the 21" chute off a 1024 SHO this season and works exceptionally well
i done one on a cub cadet time saver snowthrower i did not set the governer to 4,000 RPM but set the governer to the old motor set by the equipment mfg and does not bog down truely a better motor to use a Honda GX200 clone. Briggs & Stratton copied that motor too but is not all that great but costs more.
Damn. I'm really gonna have to try this. Been thinking of spending on a nice briggs, but they're made in china too. I got a 1984 Ariens ST524 with a 5hp tecumseh that just doesn't work for anything. I spend more time trying to get that engine to run than i do actually using the snowblower. Finally died on me today, so I'm probably gonna just suck up and buy a predator in the next few days and swap it. Did not think that you would be able to throw snow this far on a 6.5hp engine. Lol, I must be getting 3hp at MOST from my engine, if not less. Have you run into any issues with these engines at all?
First thing to realize is with proper jetting and running at 4000 rpms guys have seen 9HP on dynos with these motors, they are way under rated. Only issue i have had is on dry snow windy storms i have had the governer linkages freeze up. I had to let the motor run for a couple minutes to let the ice melt and then resume. They arnt enclosed as well as a production snowblower engine. Im working on making an "engine blanket" out of frame resistant fabric during such conditions. Other than that FLAWLESS
@@Nicky_Pin_It Well I got the Predator installed last night. It dropped on smoothly, mounting holes fit it exactly. Only problem was that the bolts were too short :/ They were welded to the blower frame, so I had to take a sawzall and cut them, then drill them out. Other than that, it fit perfectly. The original pulley did not fit, but I picked up two 3/4" pulleys from the hardware store and everything works on it. Can't wait to get some snow and try it out!
Great video! I have a 1995 Toro 521 that's still running but the engine is getting very tired. I'm planning the HF engine swap after this winter. Can you send a link to the parts that you used? I know they might be different for the Toro, but would still be helpful. thanks!
I know this comment year old what if you haven't done it yet, On a Toro 521 all you have to do is get a longer bolt and few lock nuts to extend out the crank for the shoot. The existing 521 will fit the Predtor. I'm about to upgrade a 521 I got for free.
Question: at about 6:35, you said that the engine was at 9hp. Isn't the 212cc a 6.5hp? I'm genuinely curious. I've got an old MTD with a pretty tired 8.0 Tecumseh and I'm looking at replacing with the Predator 212.
Minibike & gocart enthusiast commonly use and modify the 212P. On a dyno with proper jetting a stock 212 can make up to 9 HP at 4000rpms. They are a surprisingly powerful little engine
@@Nicky_Pin_It got it. Another question then: is a stock 212 a reasonable swap for my 8.0 tecumseh? I'm relatively mechanically stupid. I can usually figure things out, but I'm new to stuff like this.
I have an old 1970s craftsman Amf 724. With a predator 212. Awesome engines. I want to get and older ariens like that.
These engines, are not designed for snow, no covers over the spark plug. Will fill with snow, melt and short out". Thanks from.St. Paul Minnesota.
Awesome video. I'm glad someone finally showed exactly how much more powerful these machines are with the Predator. This video says it all.
Thanks man! Your vids were what got my spark going! Im sold on these engines now!
Great job in keeping older snowblowers in service.
I did the predator swap on my old Ariens that had a 8hp Tecumseh, it was good for 6 years and then it started to get weak and smoky, it finally cracked the case as a rod let loose, i did not discard the Tecumseh though, which i rebuild at a friends machine shop when we had free time, it sat all shiny ready to go as the Predator rattled its death throes this winter, a quick swap back on to its old home and, now i know what it was like when the Ariens was new, that 8hp has torque i never had with the Predator, the rebuild cost the same as the Predator but it lasted 38 years to the Predators 6 years. I guess Made in the USA is a memory of how it used to be.
I've got a mid 80s ST1032. Looking at putting the 420cc predator motor on it. Any advice before I dig into it?
Haha sweet old machines! I am partial to Toros from the 70’s through 90’s but awesome Volvo by the way. I have a 2013 R Design in the same color with the Polestar tune.
Thanks! Its funny i grew up with Toros ive actually been eyeballing some older 1132's kicking around, i wanna try doing a Diesel swap next. They make a 6.5 diesel engine you can buy for 250$ off amazon now
are the Tecumseh engines your pulling off have dual output shafts? One for wheels and the other main shaft for the augar?? the Predators only have the one shaft from my understanding so im curious how the transmission gets power to it?? I have a 5hp 922024 model and i cant swap to the predator because of the dual output.
The dual output shaft engines add a pulley to the camshaft and is used to run the wheel system, i dont think it is possible to convert those over, you most likely will have to stick with another Tecumseh of that style
This guy talks about it. If you search there are lots of videos on how to convert it, but this guys explanation is probably the easiest. There are so many designs out there for the engagement of the drive (though the drive systems are pretty similar), it's hard to say if you'd have the same design!
czcams.com/video/KAECrtUwTck/video.html
Add the impeller kit and you really have something! I did my own and impressive
My 32" Ariens is modded its a hog, used it last night
Do you think the Predator 420 will fit a 910018 24" with minimal fabrication? I want to engine swap 'er and add an impeller kit.
420 swaps take a bit of work. You'll need custom pullies & belts, and also a belt guard. It has been done, but it takes more work. The beauty of a 212 swap is its super simple
@@Nicky_Pin_It my dad and I got his 60s craftsman up and running with the 212- just had to drill new mounting holes. A year ago he 212 swapped an even older single stage craftsman junk yard find. I wish he would get into a newer Ariens but he loves that old school chain drive! Its worked fantastically for him and he hasnt even removed the air filter or rejetted the carb. Sounds like the 212 may be the logical choice for the old ariens that's been rotting away in my yard
In the old days the old tecumsehs were the best engines you could could next to Briggs and Stratton
Thanks for posting
I have a 24" 10000 series with a 12HP Tecumseh repower. it goes through about 2 belts each season but it can throw snow pretty damn far.
Thats awesome. Id love to throw a bigger motor on my 32" but id have to re-route several things
Would this work as good on a different brand snowblower? Ariens are hard to come by for a decent price in my area
YES. Ive seen tons of different brands with Predators swapped into them, i do however recommend you stay away from "box store" brand machines(craftsman, mtd, yard machines, etc) the quality just isnt there. Cant go wrong with Ariens, Toro, Honda.
Loved the vid man.
Ive got a honda gx390 sitting on the floor......thinkin....but cant argue with a 99 buck deal there......
so I take it your favorite is the 10000 series? I dont know these models all that much, but the newer stuff have nice tall chutes.
I do like the 10000 series. They are super tough and easy to use. Mine was upgraded to the 21" chute off a 1024 SHO this season and works exceptionally well
Would like to get one of those rubber paddle sets for my errands
Nice machines
Thank you! They are fun!
i done one on a cub cadet time saver snowthrower i did not set the governer to 4,000 RPM but set the governer to the old motor set by the equipment mfg and does not bog down truely a better motor to use a Honda GX200 clone. Briggs & Stratton copied that motor too but is not all that great but costs more.
Hey man! Love your videos on the predator swaps. Quick question...is the predator 212 strong enough to repower a 926LE?
Yes ive had them on several 32" machines
Damn. I'm really gonna have to try this. Been thinking of spending on a nice briggs, but they're made in china too. I got a 1984 Ariens ST524 with a 5hp tecumseh that just doesn't work for anything. I spend more time trying to get that engine to run than i do actually using the snowblower. Finally died on me today, so I'm probably gonna just suck up and buy a predator in the next few days and swap it. Did not think that you would be able to throw snow this far on a 6.5hp engine. Lol, I must be getting 3hp at MOST from my engine, if not less. Have you run into any issues with these engines at all?
First thing to realize is with proper jetting and running at 4000 rpms guys have seen 9HP on dynos with these motors, they are way under rated. Only issue i have had is on dry snow windy storms i have had the governer linkages freeze up. I had to let the motor run for a couple minutes to let the ice melt and then resume. They arnt enclosed as well as a production snowblower engine. Im working on making an "engine blanket" out of frame resistant fabric during such conditions. Other than that FLAWLESS
@@Nicky_Pin_It Well I got the Predator installed last night. It dropped on smoothly, mounting holes fit it exactly. Only problem was that the bolts were too short :/
They were welded to the blower frame, so I had to take a sawzall and cut them, then drill them out. Other than that, it fit perfectly. The original pulley did not fit, but I picked up two 3/4" pulleys from the hardware store and everything works on it. Can't wait to get some snow and try it out!
Great video! I have a 1995 Toro 521 that's still running but the engine is getting very tired. I'm planning the HF engine swap after this winter. Can you send a link to the parts that you used? I know they might be different for the Toro, but would still be helpful. thanks!
I know this comment year old what if you haven't done it yet, On a Toro 521 all you have to do is get a longer bolt and few lock nuts to extend out the crank for the shoot. The existing 521 will fit the Predtor. I'm about to upgrade a 521 I got for free.
@@robertknight4672 thank you
Would this swap work on a 1980 Snapper 8hp briggs 23" bucket or a 1979 8hp tecumseh 26" Craftsman driftbreaker? Are those machines worth upgrading?
I don’t see why not?
Question: at about 6:35, you said that the engine was at 9hp. Isn't the 212cc a 6.5hp? I'm genuinely curious. I've got an old MTD with a pretty tired 8.0 Tecumseh and I'm looking at replacing with the Predator 212.
Minibike & gocart enthusiast commonly use and modify the 212P. On a dyno with proper jetting a stock 212 can make up to 9 HP at 4000rpms. They are a surprisingly powerful little engine
@@Nicky_Pin_It got it. Another question then: is a stock 212 a reasonable swap for my 8.0 tecumseh? I'm relatively mechanically stupid. I can usually figure things out, but I'm new to stuff like this.
@@seanbooher8252 yes. It should bolt right in. You will probably need a shaft adapter thats about it
@@Nicky_Pin_It awesome. Just wanted to make sure i wouldn't be underpowered! Thanks for the help!
@@seanbooher8252 my 32" cuts through snow like a hot knife through butter with the 212! Shouldnt have any issues
I'm wanting to do this swap on my Troy-bilt 5524. Thank you for the video.
The old tech is just that OLD and tired.