Well, since I finally got the snowblowers finished I figured I would post a info and pictures thread.
First off we have a 1999 vintage Yard Machines 4.75hp 21" 2-cycle Tecuseh HSK850 powered single stage. This was the first snowblower I ever purchased, picked it up in 2012 from a guy that flips snowblowers. He didn't do much except to cover up some rust, removed the working starter to make more money and adjust the scrapper bar so that the worn augers would make contact with the pavement. Once I got it I replaced the worn out paddle rubber, flipped the scrapper bar around to use the unused edge (original paddles were so far gone so that you couldn't use the good edge) and changed out the fuel for a known good mix. I used the snowblower like this, putting up with horrendous smell, until spring of 2015 when I picked up a Cub Cadet 1x 221LHP. This winter I lent it out for a few months and ended up taking it back when it was obviously abused (bottom edge by the scrapper bar was totally bent by someone ramming it into pavement expansion joints at far too fast a speed).
So, I did a complete tear-down and assessed the damage, figured it was a bit of bending back sheet metal and got the chassis back in working shape. Upon inspecting the engine it was obvious that the bottom of the crankcase wasn't sealed anymore, so I rectified that. I pulled the muffler and used a MAPP torch to clean it out (talk about the stink!). I checked inside the cylinder with the muffler off and it was near perfect internally. Compression test showed as at least 115-120psi with a few pulls of the cord. I rebuilt the carb entirely (including putting in the spec'd float spring that was missing), putting on a drainable bowl to make storage it easier. I also tightened up the choke so it doesn't dance around anymore. I also used new carb and muffler gaskets. For good measure I also put a new coil on it. The plug of choice was a NGK (runs soooo much better with it compared to a brand new spec'd Champion).
I sandblasted the chassis, had it powdercoated, then used Valspar gloss black implement paint to paint all the crevices to protect it from rusting.
The parts I ordered to redo it include a new belt, pulley, new style auger (without the paddle supports), bearings, scrapper bar, pull start handle, all stainless hardware and even got a smoking deal on a brand new in the box Tecumseh starter to replace the one that was taken off it before I purchased it.
Upon assembly I lubed every bolt that went through sheet metal, and all unfinished steel was lubed to prevent corrosion. The chute on the inside and where the chute retainers ride the chute snout was liberally lubricated as well. The chute turning handle was adjusted for minimal clearance and it works better than even my brand new Cub Cadet 221LHP. I considered trying to engineer some sort of chute lid vertical system, but decided against it since it is easy enough to reach over and adjust it if needed, especially because of the smaller size of this blower in general.
It starts on a single pull and I reset the RPMs so the engine produces about 5.5hp compared to the stock 4.75hp. It runs great, consistant and smokes only slightly with the choke on. Once the choke is off it doesn't smoke at all and the exhaust is no-where near as bad as it once was. You can definitely tell it is running much cleaner than before.
I adjusted the scrapper bar so the paddles barely touch the pavement, which should allow it to pull itself along just fine with minimal paddle wear.
As I promised here are pics:
First off we have a 1999 vintage Yard Machines 4.75hp 21" 2-cycle Tecuseh HSK850 powered single stage. This was the first snowblower I ever purchased, picked it up in 2012 from a guy that flips snowblowers. He didn't do much except to cover up some rust, removed the working starter to make more money and adjust the scrapper bar so that the worn augers would make contact with the pavement. Once I got it I replaced the worn out paddle rubber, flipped the scrapper bar around to use the unused edge (original paddles were so far gone so that you couldn't use the good edge) and changed out the fuel for a known good mix. I used the snowblower like this, putting up with horrendous smell, until spring of 2015 when I picked up a Cub Cadet 1x 221LHP. This winter I lent it out for a few months and ended up taking it back when it was obviously abused (bottom edge by the scrapper bar was totally bent by someone ramming it into pavement expansion joints at far too fast a speed).
So, I did a complete tear-down and assessed the damage, figured it was a bit of bending back sheet metal and got the chassis back in working shape. Upon inspecting the engine it was obvious that the bottom of the crankcase wasn't sealed anymore, so I rectified that. I pulled the muffler and used a MAPP torch to clean it out (talk about the stink!). I checked inside the cylinder with the muffler off and it was near perfect internally. Compression test showed as at least 115-120psi with a few pulls of the cord. I rebuilt the carb entirely (including putting in the spec'd float spring that was missing), putting on a drainable bowl to make storage it easier. I also tightened up the choke so it doesn't dance around anymore. I also used new carb and muffler gaskets. For good measure I also put a new coil on it. The plug of choice was a NGK (runs soooo much better with it compared to a brand new spec'd Champion).
I sandblasted the chassis, had it powdercoated, then used Valspar gloss black implement paint to paint all the crevices to protect it from rusting.
The parts I ordered to redo it include a new belt, pulley, new style auger (without the paddle supports), bearings, scrapper bar, pull start handle, all stainless hardware and even got a smoking deal on a brand new in the box Tecumseh starter to replace the one that was taken off it before I purchased it.
Upon assembly I lubed every bolt that went through sheet metal, and all unfinished steel was lubed to prevent corrosion. The chute on the inside and where the chute retainers ride the chute snout was liberally lubricated as well. The chute turning handle was adjusted for minimal clearance and it works better than even my brand new Cub Cadet 221LHP. I considered trying to engineer some sort of chute lid vertical system, but decided against it since it is easy enough to reach over and adjust it if needed, especially because of the smaller size of this blower in general.
It starts on a single pull and I reset the RPMs so the engine produces about 5.5hp compared to the stock 4.75hp. It runs great, consistant and smokes only slightly with the choke on. Once the choke is off it doesn't smoke at all and the exhaust is no-where near as bad as it once was. You can definitely tell it is running much cleaner than before.
I adjusted the scrapper bar so the paddles barely touch the pavement, which should allow it to pull itself along just fine with minimal paddle wear.
As I promised here are pics: