I've not used the harbor freight engines on anything but lots of guys here have used them with good results.I'm slowly being won over to them. If I need to replace an engine I'd probably go with the HF engine. JMHO

 

Like Joe's post, I'm not personally familiar with the HF engine but I've heard only good things about them for both snow blowers and mowers. I know HF provides a 2-year warranty which is nice although I don't know what's involved.

 

I have the Predator 212 on my 10ML6D for years now, works just great. Better than the original, and even better than a new B&S on my 10M4, which works great also.

 

Thanks guys. No doubt the Predator gets "best bang for the buck award" but the other two engines offer a few more advantages for slightly more money. 1) The LCT and B&S engines are built as "Snow Engines" with carb jetting set-up for cold weather and come complete with fully enclosed heater boxes to prevent possible freezing on the linkage mechanisms. 2) The LCT engine has 254cc and the B&S engine has 250cc compared to the 212cc of the Predator. 3) The LCT and B&S both have 110v electric start which probably isn't needed however certainly makes the machine more "appealing" when I go to flip it. 4) The LCT and B&S both have 60w alternators to power the headlight already on the machine.

Putting all those feature and benefits aside, my question is whether I will run into any pulley alignment issues if the stock size crankshaft length is 2.422" and I want to use a replacement engine with a crankshaft length of 2.31"? Will that shorter crankshaft length of 0.11" cause any belt alignment issues or can a use a spacer or washer to make up the difference? Thanks!

 

Engine was a direct fit replacement. Predator runs just fine in cold weather, never had any issue of any "freeze up" as you mention. No need for a starter, as it is the easiest pull start I have ever seen on an engine. Even though it is only 212cc, it runs like an 8hp, plenty of power for a 24 inch blower. I have 7 blowers, and I never in my life had a light on any blower, as I never found a need to have one.

It is up to you if you want to spent 3x the amount for an engine or more, but totally a waste in my opinion.

 

The space from the engine is the important part for alignment, if the shaft is slightly longer or shorter can be fixed with a spacer as you mentioned.

 

If money is not an issue I’d go LCT, if it is I’d go predator


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Option 2. LCT 254cc Storm Force Engine with electric start, and 60w AC Alternator. 3/4" crankshaft x 2.44" length crankshaft. Only thing I don't like about this engine is the lack of an adjustable throttle control lever. It's a fixed speed engine. Cost is $180 delivered.

Option 3. Briggs & Stratton 250cc 1150 Snow Series engine with electric start, 60w AC Alternator, and adjustable throttle control. It's lacking a fuel shut off valve, but that's easily rectified. 3/4" crankshaft x 2.312" length crankshaft. Cost is $194 delivered.

Since it's your money and since I like to live vicariously through other people, I too would like to see #2 or #3 (been there, done that with the Predator 212) on your snowblower :grin:

As mentioned in your other thread, you can buy a carburetor with throttle control + throttle knob for that LCT 254cc engine... but by the time you add up the cost of the extra parts for the LCT, it ends up being about the same as option #3 + $5 fuel shutoff valve.

You should be able to account for the difference in crankshaft length by using spacers, as shown here by @Sblg43:

https://youtu.be/bj2455iOs88?list=PLHhi09gGkzy4GmaoWCsOpr-bDsLsEKnuA&t=107

 

I vote for the Briggs.

 

predator is probably your best bet and bang for your buck

 

If you just plan to sell go as stock and cheap as possible, if you plan to use it go with either of the 2 bigger choices, being a compact it will be easier to store as a nice backup and lesser snow amounts, The reason I kept the sno-tec with the 254 cc upgrade, worked well and took up less space and the tiny wife unit likes it as she get out there to clear snow with me.

 

...the tiny wife unit...

Love that phrase!:signlol:

 

Yup 5’ nothing and scares the snot out of me when she’s mad..... lol

 

same size here, 5 ft nothing means nothing , mine is a MSRN works in a ICU,i've seen 6 ft tall doctors turn and burn around her

 

i would go with the harbor freight for 99 dollars. They run very well

I have an 11hp on my snow blower and other then jetting nothing has been done and it runs great.