I like that the electric splitter is so much quieter. When I built it, some years ago, I had on hand a one horse, 220V C faced motor that matched up to the pump adapter I was able to find. I figured I would have to go with a larger motor but it has worked to split virtually everything I cut. I even managed to bend the 5/8th inch plate that the wood is driven into and had to add channel iron pieces as back up. I did build it to take only an18 inch piece max and usually cut a little less than 16 inches for the Waterford Stanley. I burn hardwood, maple, beech, yellow birch etc. It does slow on a large piece, occasionally almost to a stop but seldom gets stuck. If that happens I just back it intoa block of wood set against a frame. If I were doing many cords in a day with a work party I might want something faster but this has worked for me.
It’s stable, mounted on an old boat trailer and its a little below waist height. I set up a table on saw horses beside me, load up the table and can let the split wood drop into my wheelbarrow to stack if I want to cut out handling it an extra time. I have a 60 ft 10 ga cord that plugs into a dryer outlet and a shorter section of 10/3 wire for a some more length. The motor will get warm but it has last stood up well the way I have use it over the dozen years when wood we were using around six cords at our previous house. I bet it would be a real workhorse with a 3 hp. on it. I only use it occasionally now as I am buying my wood split.
When that old gas engine is on its last legs converting to electric may be an option to look at.
