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Re: New engine for old lawn mower

To: Bill Gilroy <wmgilroy@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: New engine for old lawn mower
From: Pat Horne <pjhorne@mail.utexas.edu>
Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 10:08:04 -0500
Bill,

Try contacting Troy Built, they may be able to give you a model number 
for the the engine, or at least the model number for a replacement engine.

I suspect that if you are looking for a bolt in replacement that you 
will need to stay with a Briggs engine, the mounting holes and shaft 
position may be hard to match between brands.

It sounds like you are planning on keeping the mower for as long as you 
can, so I would go for the best engine you can afford. I find that 
things powered by a Honda engine start easier, require less maintenance 
and last much longer than the B/S engines. I've had Honda engines on 
Miller welders, plate compactors, tillers and generators that outlast 
other engine brands hands down. I understand that when a Honda engine 
starts giving you problems that it is best to replace it rather than 
rebuilding it, but that is after about double the hours of other 
engines. YMMV

Peace,
Pat

Bill Gilroy wrote:

>My really old Troy Built lawnmower is about ready for a new engine.  I
>got the thing years ago and it had already had the the engine rebuild
>once.  The engine has little compression and the carb. is worn.  Last
>time I got a rebuild kit for the carb. the lawn mower guy commented
>that parts were becoming unavailable.  So, maybe now is the time for a
>new engine.
>
>With that said this engine had no marking beside Briggs and Stratton
>that I can find.  So I don't know the rating.  I figure the diameter
>and length of the output shaft will narrow the selection of engines. 
>I have to measure that tonight.
>
>The old engine when it ran well would horse right through high grass
>without bogging down a bit.  So I don't want to under power the mower.
> It is a high wheel, self-propelled 24" cut mower. Any ideas on what
>size engine I want, engine features such as cast iron cylinders vs.
>some type of alloy.  I guess if I want to break the bank I can go with
>an electric start engine.  Will a 3 amp DC alternator be able to
>charge a small battery that can be used to drive the mower?  Any brand
>better then the next?   Tecumseh, Briggs & Stratton, Honda (pricey),
>Kohler?  Any features I should consider, OVH, or others.
>
>I don't want to break the bank, but I will send the money to get a
>good engine that will last and do the job.  I like this mower, it cuts
>well and is the right size for my property, it is just that the engine
>is old, worn out, carb problems and some intermittent electric
>gremlins also.
>
>Also any vendor or source for an engine that you can recommend?
>Any thought?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Gilroy






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