replacing an engine in White/MTD snowthro

I have a four year old White SnoBoss Snowthrower, 33" auger and it was powered by a 13 h.p.Tecumseh Snow king Engine. Last week's heavy Michigan snow removal proved too much of a task for the old snow King as I threw a rod.

I would like to replace the engine with a duplicate or compatible power source and it looks like if I order online I can do so for about $495 complete shipped to my door.

My question is, how hard is it for a Cherry tree mechanic like myself to swap the engine for a working model? Four mounting bolts do not look hard but what about the engine pulley? Do I need any special pullers? It looks to me as though all the controls and even new gas tank are supplied installed on the replacement engine. I should be able to unbolt he electric start (110/120 volt) motor from the old and install on the new. This snowblower is a walk behind model but do I even need too break the blower assembly away from he tractor for this job?

I would appreciate any tips on this job.

Thanks for any help.

bs5

 

It is as easy as you describe. You likely will need a puller for the pulley, but they are not expensive and any auto parts store has them. Make sure you measure the shaft diameter and length - there are several that are common.

Also Briggs & Stratton makes a snow engine that should fit with 4 new mounting holes and possibly some spacers. I replaced my Tecumseh with an Intek, but it was a 7.5. A lot of old Tecumsehs throw rods, although not usually in as little as four years.

Make sure the pully is aligned properly after mounting. Buy a spare drive belt and take a look at the friction wheel.

 

I was quite surprised the four year old Tecumseh failed and threw a rod also. I unbolted the 110 volt starter assembly today and that move uncovered the proof as a goose egg sized fracture showed up in the side of the aluminum crankcase.

I ordered a new snow king today. The online dealer had no 13 h.p. complete engines in stock. He could hav provided and short block but for $100 more.....give me the whole works. He was able to contact Tecumseh direct and they will ship me the engine direct. I'm supposed to have it in a week. So, that should take care of that dilemma.

Prior to deciding on replacing the engine, i contacted my dealer direct for a quote on a new Ariens Snow Blower with a 13 h.p. Snow King. He wanted $2200 difference plus the White with the broken Tecumseh as trade. yikes! In a busted rod haze I almost told him to drop the thing off for me.......whew!

I don't blame the dealer but it was too much for me to bear. I called one of the mega giant building supply franchises today to see if they had any year end sales. I don't blame me either as I couldn't resist picking up an MTD 11 h.p. Tecumseh Snow king powered machine with 28" snow chute for $666.00 normally $999. Not quite the machine the Ariens would have been but I now have a spare and it can keep my drive open until I drive that big old four year old White back out of my garage with a new 13 h.p. Tecumseh bolted on.



bs5

 

In MA and NH HD was selling Ariens - including the 1332LE - for 33% off. That's about $1,275. The 926LE's are around $700.

"Friends don't let friends buy MTD."

 

HD had sold out of Ariens here in Northern Michigan but all snowblowers are 33% discounted as you say. I did manage to locate one store that had a reconditioned Ariens 13 h.p.but it was selling for $1099 and 350 miles roundtrip nixed this idea.

I also checked the Lowe down at the other megga building center stores who sold Troy-Bilt (MTD) and also Husquavarna snow blowers. I really liked the 10 1/2 Snow king powered Husquavarna blower but they would not discount the $999 price just yet.

Things work out in the long run.

bs5

 

How has your oil check and change practices been with your previous machines? Usually, a thrown rod is as a result of poor/low oil. Be sure to check and change the new machines' oil frequently (each use - check, at least each new season - change). Use the proper viscosity and use a quality brand.

 

I change oil twice each season and had checked the level. Here are two things that hapened prior however (to the thrown rod in engine)

1: A previous use of machine caused wet snow to melt after machine was put away (despite sweeping excess snow off). It apparentlly refroze and caued carb linkage to freeze up. When I unexpectedly started cold engine it raced. I should have shut it off immediately as racing a cold engine is not good. I did manage to stop machine but was concerned. Afteri got engine to thaw and started it again, it seemed fine. Sometimes, even snow kings freeze up and it had happened before.

2: Machine ran fine after but the driveway was filled with a wet snow (heavy) which had since fozen due to falling temps and it's removal was causing the engine to labor even in slower gears. My thoughts at the time, I have to get this stuff to heck off my driveway and I have a 13 h.p. engine that has done it before and needs to do the job but once again. I had been clearning snow for an hour and was nearly done when calamnity struck down on the engine.

This engine may have been destined for failure and then again, perhaps the events described sped up it's demise. I feel like I took good care of he Snow King. For what ever reason, it failed and now I shall prooceed with what has to be done.


bs5