Tecumseh..... UGH!!!

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Bret Chase

Bret Chase

Minister of Fire
Jan 15, 2013
870
Maine
So the ancient Kohler K181 on my woodsplitter finally gave out after years of dealing with it's completely finicky carb... I was an electric start w/ battery ignition. It had begun use oil a bit over it's 40+ year life... and this year the oil ring finally quit. I would have just re-ringed it, if the bottom half of the exhaust port hadn't been broken off about 20 years ago.

So... not having a hell of a lot of money, I took the running when pulled (I pulled it) Tecumseh HMSK90 off the shelf and began the conversion. The Tecumoseh has a 120v starter, so I yanked the battery off and set it aside... nice not having to worry about another L&G battery going bad.

The shafts were a different size, not an issue... bought the correct coupler half at TSC...

Got it all together, motor ran like ass... disassembled non adjustable emmissions carb... OMFG. ordered carb kit.

Remember this was a runner, and stored inside.

rebuilt carb... motor running better, but still crappy...

Pulled carb apart again.... stupid old O ring I left in the emulsion tube, put it back together...

still running crappy...

Pulled flywheel, crank key was fine... opened up the valve spring chamber...

GRRRR the intake was lashed at 0.004"... should be 0.008"... exhaust..... 0.003!!!! should be 0.012!!
I have no idea how it was running when I yanked it out of the snowblower w/ the blown transmission.

Pulled head and valves...

So, now I've got to grind the f'n valves... yay.

I think I now know why there are soooo many Tecumseh powered snowblowers on the side of the road with a sign saying "Won't run $100" or "Parts $50"

Funny thing is, I have the exact same motor in my snowblower.... and it runs like a top.

I think I now officially hate Tecumseh engines... and am seriously considering buying a HF Honda clone.

UGH.

I need to get the 3 cord of rounds I have split...
 
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That's just weird man.
 
Sorry it's such trouble but you'll get 'er fixed.
 
Doesn't Tecumseh no longer make small engines? I have always heard they were the cheapest.

I worked there as a summer intern as I lived near Tecumseh, MI.

Chris
 
Yes they are definitely a breed of there own. They either run good or they dont. I have the most problems with there carbs. So if I get one in the shop and it has a carb problem, I just order a new one. You can adjust the valves with out pulling the head. I had to do the same thing with my generator. Shouldnt have to pull the head off. You can use a flat file. It does take a little bit to do it, but sure beats pulling the head off
 
duramaxman05 said:
Yes they are definitely a breed of there own. They either run good or they dont. I have the most problems with there carbs. So if I get one in the shop and it has a carb problem, I just order a new one. You can adjust the valves with out pulling the head. I had to do the same thing with my generator. Shouldnt have to pull the head off. You can use a flat file. It does take a little bit to do it, but sure beats pulling the head off
Click to expand...

on this this L-head motor... there is no valve adjustment. To increase lash, the head must be removed so the valves can be pulled and the stems ground. Pulling the head is no big deal.... it's 8 bolts and a $5 gasket.

Sad thing is I have a *iron* block briggs that sat for far longer in the same barn.... poured gas in it... pulled the cord... and it fired up on the second pull... I didn't even change the oil.
 
My generator was the same way. I just took the cover off and held the valve up then used a flat file the file the stem down. I guess ever engine is different. If you are interested in a new engine, check out surpluscenter.com I just bought a new 10 briggs vanguard for $331 and thats with shipping. I got tired of dealing with old crap and said screw it and ordered it.
 
RSNovi said:
Doesn't Tecumseh no longer make small engines? I have always heard they were the cheapest.

I worked there as a summer intern as I lived near Tecumseh, MI.

Chris
Click to expand...


Gee, we must be almost neighbors.. If you interned at Tecumseh Products in Tecumseh and made engines you didn't work there long. Products in Tecumseh was a refrigeration compressor plant....
 
I'll take a Kohler 2 series single cylinder over any engine. They have a unique sound and last forever with proper care, however, for a cheap date you can't beat the HF Predator OHV engines (Lufan). Run well and disposable cost wise.

Honda GC's suck.
 
Just didn't want people to burn up Google looking for the wrong one is all.

I have four of the things. Ya can't kill'em.
 
I am a big fan of the old Kohler engines. I would have reringed it. They are simple to work on.
 
BrotherBart said:
Just didn't want people to burn up Google looking for the wrong one is all.

I have four of the things. Ya can't kill'em.
Click to expand...

Like a corn stove....lol

I bought the little one to replace the (UGH Tecumseh) I had on a little Troy Bilt that burned more oil than gas. Was a good bug chaser and thats was about it. 2 pulls and it purring along so I got a bigger one for the bigger Troy Bilt that had an (UGH Honda GC) on it. Any manufacturer that uses a rubber cogged timing belt internally inside an engine should be shot....and I thought Honda's were good engines, I was mistaken. The 6.5 (Lifan) went on that. So I have 2 and they both cost probably less than a GC Honda costs.

Good motors far as I'm concerned. I'm about to buy the 22 horse twin to replace the expired Kohler twin in our mini-skid. That will probably be a winner and I think that one is a Lifan too.
 
Midway43 said:
I am a big fan of the old Kohler engines. I would have reringed it. They are simple to work on.
Click to expand...

The problem with the kohler is the LARGE section of the block under the exhaust port that is missing. It may become a resurrection project at a later time... But I need the splitter now.
 
SidecarFlip said:
I was mistaken. The 6.5 (Lifan) went on that. So I have 2 and they both cost probably less than a GC Honda costs.
Click to expand...

And carbs are $14.95, shipping included, on eBay if you clog one ;em. Cheaper than a carb kit. I even bought one of the carbs for my GX70.
 
SidecarFlip said:
I'll take a Kohler 2 series single cylinder over any engine. They have a unique sound and last forever with proper care, however, for a cheap date you can't beat the HF Predator OHV engines (Lufan). Run well and disposable cost wise.

Honda GC's suck.
Click to expand...

I've got a couple chinese Honda OHV clones painted yellow... "Titan" name... I can't complain about them at all... if there's gas in it... it will run. Unfortunately the pumps and compressors they are connected to can be...... problematic.
 
BrotherBart said:
And carbs are $14.95, shipping included, on eBay if you clog one ;em. Cheaper than a carb kit. I even bought one of the carbs for my GX70.
Click to expand...


My Lincoln Gas driven field welder (AC/DC) has a Kohler K2 series driving it. I bought it at least 30 years ago new and I don't use it much, in fact, if it has 30 hours on it, I'd be amazed but the carb was always touchy. It came with a Walbro that had a fixed main jet (no adjustment) and a limited adjustment idle jet and it was always balky/touchy and with a welder, when you strike an arc (SMAW) the engine must get right up, right now to maintain the arc and it was always a PITA not coming up on the throttle sometimes and other times running fine so I got irritated enough 2 years ago and bought a complete new carb with high and low speed adjustment and a real float bowl and canned the Walbrow and it's a new engine.

Problem is, the carb cost more than the Lifan engine but it is a Kohler afterall.

Lifans and Honda's will never sound like a Kohler, Kohler big singles make beautiful music. Like a Harley, they have a sound all their own.
 
SidecarFlip said:
Gee, we must be almost neighbors.. If you interned at Tecumseh Products in Tecumseh and made engines you didn't work there long. Products in Tecumseh was a refrigeration compressor plant....
Click to expand...

I grew up in Manchester. I interned there for two summers. The first year was in Tecumseh with the refrigeration compressor group. The second year was in Dundee at their manufacturing R&D location which I saw them prototype cylinder heads and such. It was a great learning experience, but I ultimately went in a different direction after graduation.

I thought I heard that Tecumseh Products is no longer in Tecumseh.
 
It's gone, been gone for at least 5 years. It's a Brownfield site now. For all intent, Tecumseh Products is out of business. The Dundee location was sold off, long ago.
 
SidecarFlip said:
It's gone, been gone for at least 5 years. It's a Brownfield site now. For all intent, Tecumseh Products is out of business. The Dundee location was sold off, long ago.
Click to expand...
That's too bad.
 
RSNovi said:
That's too bad.
Click to expand...

I agree. Products was real farmer friendly, allowing the employees time off for harvest. I have lots of friends who lost their jobs and pensions. I played it different and worked for a steel company, I'm still there, part time.
 
I have the 11HP Lifan motor on my Chinese splitter. Starts on 1st pull every time, ok after 3 months and 10 cords of gum. I think the size is a bit overkill but that's ok with me.
 
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