Replacing engine on Craftsman Yard Vac w/Predator
#1
11-20-23, 05:17 AM
Replacing engine on Craftsman Yard Vac w/Predator
Recently posted about my craftsman yard vac Tecumseh engine blowing up. I'm looking at throwing a Predator engine from HFT on it since my neighbor has a membership into that club they have so the engine is going to be under $200. I'm wondering about the difficulty on this. I can't see whether or not the keyway matches or if the length of the shafts aligns. Should I go this route or get another vac?
#2
11-20-23, 05:45 AM
First, my comments are side notes to your specific question about things like the keyway (will it fit).
Secondly, I like HF stuff & I have a few things by Predator. I personally have had good luck with them. But, if you need parts, they are not readily available & are limited.
You'll need to find an online store that sells parts for these things. Then individual parts may not be available at all, which will mean you have to buy an assembled part instead of a single part.
Again, I have a few, I like'em, they've been good to me, but parts availability is the down side.
Secondly, I like HF stuff & I have a few things by Predator. I personally have had good luck with them. But, if you need parts, they are not readily available & are limited.
You'll need to find an online store that sells parts for these things. Then individual parts may not be available at all, which will mean you have to buy an assembled part instead of a single part.
Again, I have a few, I like'em, they've been good to me, but parts availability is the down side.
#3
11-20-23, 06:06 AM
Group Moderator
First, measure what you've got. Then you can look online at the specs for the Predator engine you are considering. Also confirm the rotation direction of the shaft is the same on both engines. If the shaft & keyway match and they rotate in the same direction an engine swap could be relatively easy.
CircuitBreaker
voted this post useful.
#4
11-20-23, 06:15 AM
I would first make sure the envelop of the Tecumseh and Predator are similar by eyeball and the routing of the Craftsman remote engine control (if applicable) is doable. Next I would search the web for interface dimensions of both engines and compare the dimensions for sameness. If not available, you will have to make the interface measurements on the Tecumseh and go to HF and compare. I replaced a 6 hp Tecumseh with a Predator on a Ariens snowblower. The only issue was the welded threaded studs on the Ariens frame were too short to get a nut on so I drilled and tapped out each stud for a smaller diameter screw and attached Predator to the Ariens using set screws.
#5
11-20-23, 06:59 AM
Thank you. I am trying to find this info on the Tecumseh engine now but so far I really have not had much luck. Places have parts, but I haven't found info on the rotation, keyway, etc
#6
11-20-23, 08:51 AM
How do I tell what direction a motor rotates anyway? Is that keyway a standard? When I pull the crank it turns clockwise.
Last edited by diy_in_atl; 11-20-23 at 09:10 AM. Reason: More info
#9
11-20-23, 04:22 PM
I really have no way to check what direction this spins. It looks like it spins clockwise when I pull the crank but the HFT engine spins CCW from the PTO and I'm not sure what that means. Does that work? Would it be possible to change it? Looks like the manual is here:
https://www.searspartsdirect.com/man...n-vacuum-parts
https://www.searspartsdirect.com/man...n-vacuum-parts
#10
11-21-23, 01:05 PM
Ok well this is a wash. The problem is that the shaft on this thing is tapered, and the Predator one is not. I guess I'm kind of hosed. Going to look for a new unit.
