Snowblower Forum banner

Ariens 10000 series finds a new home

12161 Views 87 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  Benzeno
After restoring my Dad's 5 HP 10000 series last spring (which he purchased new in 1968), I have been on the lookout for another Ariens (10000 series or 70's vintage twin stick 924 series) machine in decent condition for my next project.

In my neck of the woods, they are not near as plentiful as in the US of A and rarely, if ever at the curb with a free sign on them.

I found one yesterday that I could not resist in the small town I grew up in an hour away from here. The gentleman I bought it from had owned it for 25 years and had purchased it from an "older guy" who bought it new. For those 25 years, the machine was used about 6 times a year at his cottage. He has purchased a new 28" machine with all the current "safety" features, as he was concerned that others (son in laws etc) would be operating the machine in the future. The machine has been maintained and definitely stored indoors all it's life.

The Ariens is a 1974 model (last year for the 10000 series), 24" bucket with the original HM 80 Tecumseh 8 HP engine. Engine runs great, no surging or smoking, auger gear box seals and bushings were replaced in the last couple of years.

I haven't done anything with it yet, other than spraying all the hardware with Liquid Wrench.

I paid $225.00 for it, which I feel is a fair price for my area. He offered to delivered it, which saved me the hassle of borrowing a friends truck.

I'm thinking I will totally dismantle machine, replace any bad bushings or bearings, hardware, gas lines, perform valve job, clean carb etc. Remove rust inside chute and bucket, sand, prime and paint, but leave the original paint on the rest of machine. I think it will clean up pretty good with rubbing compound and wax.

What are your thoughts on this plan, or would you repaint entire machine?

Some photos from the ad on Kijjiji:

Wheel Tire Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle


Wheel Road surface Automotive tire Motor vehicle Asphalt


Road surface Motor vehicle Asphalt Orange Automotive tire


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Toy


Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive exterior Automotive design Gas
See less See more
5
  • Like
Reactions: 2
1 - 20 of 88 Posts
That definitely looks well worth some love!
ultimately i would like to have one or two minty '73-'74 10000 series blowers, with the upscale chromed handles! probably the best of the first and second series.

how do repaints actually hold up? i see some refurbs that look factory fresh, but can't imagine the paint holds up like the factory, or that the rust removal is 100%.
That's exactly what we used to have, just the 7HP . . . Went away to college, and my father somehow forgot to refill oil on a change and locked up the engine (or so it is claimed). Very mechanical man, but never bothered to look to see if it could be repaired/repowered . . . I still miss that thing! Never found anything it could not handle! One of these days . . .
You got yourself a real beauty!!!
All the 10,000 series are good and last forever. This year was the first time we got some snow so I tried out the 1973 I got a few years ago. First year the left lever was on top. If you are used to the older ones you will have some learning time. I used it the first 2 hours with hand cramping, Went back and got one of the old ones for the second 2 hours. Nice to have one though! Most of us never have enough!! Great looking machine!!
Actually, the lever on top is the newer years, and required you to hold it to get the machine to move. The older ones with the lever under were squeeze to stop, and presented a very real risk of the blower running away if you fell. Myself, with many years on a '74 (top lever), I never felt any effort squeezing or holding the lever, and the added safety of no potential runaways make the 73/74 the only 10000 series machines I would consider.

(You can verify the lever placement and function on Scott's Ariens page.)
Parts have arrived for the new project:
head gasket, intake and exhaust gaskets, carb kit, axle bushings, impeller bearing, spare belt, muffler and hardware, gas line.

Crankset Guitar accessory Font Gas String instrument accessory




I spent a couple minutes with mild degreaser and rubbing compound to see how the paint responds to some love.

I am only going to repaint the inside of the chute and auger housing and will leave the rest original (battle scars and all), should clean up pretty well.


Liquid Automotive lighting Orange Amber Automotive tire
Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light Paint Automotive tire Motor vehicle
See less See more
3
Started to disassemble the machine today, removed the chute and engine.

The axle bushings definitely need replacing, no play or noise from impeller bearing, but will replace it anyway. Resprayed hardware with Liquid Wrench.

Tuesday is supposed to be warm (17 C), so going to apply degreaser and power wash the engine and machine to remove some of the grime built up over 47 years of use.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Hood


Motor vehicle Automotive design Automotive tire Gas Auto part


Brown Rectangle Wood Paint Red


Wood Gas Machine Auto part Metal


Automotive parking light Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Amber Wood
See less See more
5
What a great machine! Looking forward to see the refurb when completed.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Cleaned up the gas tank inside and out and the belly pan.
The inside of the tank was clean as a whistle except for a few black particles of debris. The previous owner said he always drained the tank before he stored it for the summer.

Brown Rectangle Wood Paint Red
Rectangle Wood Red Flooring Gas
Cuisine Wood Sink Gas Circle
Wood Rectangle Gas Serveware Adhesive
Wood Gas Machine Auto part Metal
Motor vehicle Gas Machine Automotive exterior Wood




I don't plan on repainting the exterior of this machine, but I did a complete repaint on my other 10000 series last year.

If you are wondering how close Dupli-color DE1620 Chevy Orange is to the original Ariens paint colour, I placed the inside of the belly pan (not faded) next to the repainted auger housing I did last year.
Pretty close match.


Amber Orange Rectangle Automotive lighting Gas
See less See more
7
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Cleaned up the gas tank inside and out and the belly pan.
The inside of the tank was clean as a whistle except for a few black particles of debris. The previous owner said he always drained the tank before he stored it for the summer.

View attachment 177590 View attachment 177591 View attachment 177592 View attachment 177594 View attachment 177595 View attachment 177596



I don't plan on repainting the exterior of this machine, but I did a complete repaint on my other 10000 series last year.

If you are wondering how close Dupli-color DE1620 Chevy Orange is to the original Ariens paint colour, I placed the inside of the belly pan (not faded) next to the repainted auger housing I did last year.
Pretty close match.


View attachment 177597
Looks Great! (y)
What do you use as primer for Dupli-color DE1620 Chevy Orange?
Thanks!
Thanks
I used a red oxide primer

177606
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I am showing steps and photos that may seem obvious and perhaps not necessary to the guys that have done dozens of these rebuilds.
However, I am trying to document the process the best I can, for newbies like myself, who are not as experienced and may not have refurbished a snow blower before.

Any tips or recommendations are most welcome.

Split the machine and gave it a good power wash to get rid of some of the grease and grime.

Gas Machine Wood Metal Auto part
Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive design



Wheel Tire Motor vehicle Automotive tire Tread
Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive wheel system Rim Gas




Dismantled the Tecumseh HM 80 in preparation for carb rebuild and valve job.


Gas Auto part Machine Metal Nut
Automotive tire Automotive design Motor vehicle Tire Wheel


Motor vehicle Gas Automotive tire Machine Auto part
Gas Auto part Personal protective equipment Metal Fashion accessory
See less See more
8
I had soaked all the hardware on the machine and engine several times with a good penetrant (like Liquid Wrench) over a couple of weeks. Have not had any issues removing any bolts so far.

I also take a lot of photos of the dismantling process, so I hopefully know how it all goes back together.

I tag and bag all hardware and try to store all small items in one organized area to prevent lost parts.


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Tread
Motor vehicle Wood Gas Automotive exterior Bumper
See less See more
2
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I think your doing very good ...

Since it is pretty well apart, I would inspect the axle bushings, as well as the auger shaft end bucket bushings .... now would be the time to replace them if they need it.

If your not going to do any sand and prime and paint, I would at least pick up a can of acrylic clear coat, spray any bare metal areas, as it will give some protection while keeping its patina.

I personally don't like the chains on the lawn tires, I take the wheels off, clean and paint the rims, and install the XTrac. But if you don't mind the chains, and they work for you, you can bag and tape the mounted tires, clean up the rims, and still prime and paint them with the tires on, just takes a bit of time. ... it will give them years of protection, and look much better.

Make sure you top off the auger gearbox ( I use 75W140 gear lube.)

Inspect the friction disc and clean the drive plate, lube the friction disc shaft, as well as all chains and gears.

Prior to re-assembly, check and inspect everything .....
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Thanks oneacer, your restorations are second to none.

I plan on completing the engine first and then will tackle the disassembly of the tractor and then the blower assembly.

The axle bushings need replacing. I have new axle bushings, auger bushings and impeller bearing ready to install. The friction disc is in good shape, but I do have a spare if needed. Full clean up of the tractor assembly, with new grease and will drain and replace the auger gear box gear oil.

I plan on only repainting the inside of the bucket and chute, (flap disc and grinder to remove rust, red oxide primer and paint). Will metal prep a couple areas and touch up the paint or maybe consider your recommendation of spraying with clear coat, hadn't thought of that option.

Going to run the turf tires and chains, but will probably have to repaint the rims.

Thanks for your input.
See less See more
The 10000 series are my preference, as I have 3 of them, along with my Yardman 7100 and a 10HP Craftsman. I sold all the other blowers I had last year.

This time of the year is a great time to tackle those refurbishing projects ... I am finishing a 10000 series project myself, as well as in the process of restoring my older Ryan Core Plug Aerator, which I picked up cheap, which runs great, but needs a cosmetic restore.

177729
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I had assumed the engine had a Tecumseh carb, but the factory carb on this engine is a Walbro LME 49. The inside of the carb was very clean, and components look to be in good condition. The O ring on the main jet needle and float bowl gasket were shot. I was able to use the O ring from the Tec. rebuild kit I had ordered and have a new Stens float bowl gasket on order (2 3/8" OD).

Rebuild kits for these carbs are harder to find and expensive, especially if you live in Canada, about $32.00 CAD Plus $22.00 CAD for shipping. I am glad this carb was in good condition.


Automotive tire Cookware and bakeware Audio equipment Automotive lighting Automotive wheel system
Wood Gas Auto part Metal Household hardware
Wood Font Jewellery Toy Circle
Automotive tire Rim Bicycle part Vehicle brake Audio equipment


Carb ready to install once the float bowl gasket arrives

Toy Jewellery Art Metal Lamp


Has anyone found a cheap Chinese direct replacement for these Walbro LME 49 carbs, that will match up to the original linkages and mounts?

Gas Toy Machine Auto part Engineering
White Gas Auto part Machine Wood



Wood Tool Gas Engineering Machine
See less See more
8
1 - 20 of 88 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top