Ariens ST824 Tecumseh-to-Predator 301cc Engine Swap
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
- The Tecumseh broke a connecting rod due to operator error. I let it rev too high for too long.
The old mounting studs for the Tecumseh were pounded out. New mounting holes were drilled in the engine deck mounting plate. New bolts were inserted up from inside the locomotion transmission bay. A stick welder with 1/16" rod tacked the bolt heads to the underside of the engine deck. There's way too much stuff in that transmission bay to get a MIG gun on the bolt heads and see what you're doing. Stick welding is the only option not requiring complete disassembly of the rolling gear and transmission.
The Predator muffler heat shield interfered with the snow discharge chute. So, the heat shield was removed.
The belt keeper required some custom spacers and different bolts to get its functionality converted over to the Predator engine. Spacers could be hand fabricated with 3/8" galvanized pipe (think natural gas line).
And since the PTO shaft on the Predator is just around an inch higher than the Tecumseh, new belts had to be purchased:
3L360W -- The drive wheel takeoff.
4L420W -- The impeller takeoff.
A 4L415W was ordered off Amazon to see if it will be just a bit tighter and still allow for the necessary slippage once the auger engagement lever is released.
02/08/2021 UPDATE: The 4L415W belt arrived from Amazon. It was too tight and didn't allow for disengagement for the auger when the operator control is released. So, it looks like we're sticking with the 3L360W for the drive wheel takeoff and the 4L420W for the impeller takeoff.
BEFORE THE SNOW SEASON OF 2022 UPDATE: Discovered the "L" belt slipped on large thrower loads (deep regular snow or wet/heavy stuff). Moved up to an AX40 belt for more power transmission due to increased belt/pulley surface area contact for the impeller takeoff.
Nice job-you've got some mad fabrication skills-Those Ariens are worth it!
Happy New Years bro. Nice job bro
I picked up a 301 for my ariens 832 sno-throw. Very similar set-up to yours im going to order the ax40 and 3l360 belts. Really appreciate your information so i dont have to do trial fits, hopefully😅 thanks buddy!
Good job, your setup is cleaner than mine. I like how you drilled a lower hole on the chute "knuckle" holder so that is doesn't hit the cylinder head. . Nothing like repowering these old Ariens.
Agree!
Wow, you did a lot of modifications.
Great Job!👍
I just did the same swap but with an gx270 Honda motor. Thanks for the belt size it's the same for me :)
I *should* have updated the text. I will be doing so here in the next few minutes... Last year, before the season started, I upgraded the belt to an AX40. The engine produces enough power that the "L" belts slip.
Keep an eye out for slippage in your situation.
What pulleys did you use with the AX belt? I have same blower and looking into doing the 301 repower as well. Thanks! 1:03
Please say those belts were snowblower belts and not automotive belts. Automotive belts are designed not to slip where snowblower belts are designed for slippage. My Father lost a finger because he used an automotive belt instead of a blower belt. The auger failed to disengage when the controls were released.
Good point! Be sure to use the belts one feels are the safest!
How did this perform? I have this exact replacement to do. Thanks for posting
The engine now has 22.6 hours of runtime in just a season and a half -- I do a lot of the neighborhood sidewalks and driveways.
The upgrade is very nice. The Predator runs better with more power than the original engine.
A word of advice, though... Run an AX belt with the new engine on the impeller drive. Anything less and you'll get slipping in heavy wet snow.
And if you haven't done it already, be sure to schedule a Summer weekend to install an impeller wiper modification.
Glad the video was helpful.
@@weebandit Great to hear and thank you for the belt update. I have the engine and will start this swap this week. This was very helpful! Thanks for sharing
@@chrislaramie5238 Most welcome!