Tecumseh Engine - trying to get it to fire ..

gdtractor · Dec 11, 2017

Hi ..
Well .. here I go again.. want to start this Tecumseh engine (on a wood splitter) - it has set outside for 6 or 7 yrs .. with a tarp over it ..
It is wired for a key type switch - just so I know I have it "wired to fire" what do I have to hookup or unhook to get it to fire? any help would be a
appreciated. Thx much .. Gary
Here is a video of the beast .

thx
https://youtu.be/YldbwtEuA34

I simply want to get it to fire so I can start taking it apart and working on it . but really don't know the position of any of the wires to see if it
will fire .. thanks much ..

steve_in_mo · Dec 12, 2017

Looks like an older flathead tecumseh, maybe 8 hp. They were nearly all
electronic ignition. Does it have compression? (air, fuel, compression,
and ignition being necessary to make one of those run)

It would be easier to help you if you showed more of the engine and less of
the remote wiring and attached mechanical parts. If you put in a new spark
plug and clean the carburetor, and disconnect the ground wire, it should start if
(big if) the electronic ignition is still functional.

gdtractor · Dec 12, 2017

Ok ... thanks for the advice and info ..
I love old engines but not mechanical inclined ... this is a wood splitter ..

Gary

old · Dec 12, 2017

Easies thing to do to start wit his pull the plug spin it over while holding the plug on the engine and see if you have a spark. Try it with the switch in all positions. If you have spark then pull the air cleaner off and hold your hand over the air intake of the carb and make sure it has a good suction and also maybe get gas on your hand

Sprint 6 · Dec 12, 2017

The easiest way to get a Tecumseh powered piece of equipment to start is throw the Tecumseh in the trash and install an engine that was designed to run. In my experience, you will have to clean the points if not electronic ignition, go through the carb 3 times, then decide if you want it to start easy, or have good power, you can't have both with a Tecumseh.

steve_in_mo · Dec 12, 2017

You can swap an adjustable Carter/Kohler carb onto the older Tekes.

steve_in_mo · Dec 12, 2017

I agree - if the electronic ignition unit is dead. In that case, a harbor
freight engine is the quickest and cheapest and longest-lasting fix.

gdtractor · Dec 12, 2017

Thanks .. I didn't get to it to today ,... ran out of time and daylight .. but thanks much .. will try this for sure !!
Hopefully tomorrow ..

Gary

gdtractor · Dec 12, 2017

YEs .. I did cut the ground wire that was grounding it "off" .. and turned the engine over and it has a nice blue spark .. so now to clean everything else up .. I might try to find a carb that someone THANKS MUCH !!!! .

Bob - MI · Dec 13, 2017

If you have spark hit it with a shot of starting fluid and see if it will pop. If it fires you can eliminate spark, timing, and compression. That leaves fuel as the area of focus on the next step.

gdtractor · Dec 13, 2017

Yep .. it fired - popped .. and actually ran for a few seconds .. seem to be "intact" . thanks so much .

Gary

gdtractor · Dec 13, 2017

Hi ..
I found this metal tag on the engine: SBH-351A SER 9240F but can't find any cross references for it .. I am looking for a carberator for mine .. thanks much .. Gary

gdtractor · Dec 13, 2017

ok thanks

steve_in_mo · Dec 13, 2017

SBH means flathead horizontal shaft engine, 351 means about fourteen hp.

You can order a Chinese replacement carb for a Kohler K341 on eBay.
It should interchange.

gdtractor · Dec 13, 2017

Kohler K341 will fit okay ? sorry I am so stupid !!

old · Dec 13, 2017

Pull the air cleaner off and any thing that might keep you from putting you hand over the air intake of the carb. Then try to start it while holding your hand over the intake. You should feel bot ha good suction and also get gas on your hand. It may even try to run when you do that. By the way those carbs are not all that hard to open up and rebuild BTDT many, many times

gdtractor · Dec 13, 2017

Okay .. will give it a try!! Thanks much !!

Gary

old · Dec 13, 2017

Also depending on what carb it has you maybe able to pull the float bowl off and then spray carb cleaner up the hole in the center tube of the carb and then have a good running engine. I have been working on these old small engines for over 50 years now and if I could fix one when I was 10 you should be able to fix the one you have. That was about how old I was when my dad gave me the old lawn mower to play with and it run at times when his brand new one would not

gdtractor · Dec 13, 2017

Thx much !!

steve_in_mo · Dec 14, 2017

There is some confusion, since another poster thinks
it is a 3.5 hp replacement short block engine. If the
carburetor throat is about 1 inch across, I'm right.
If it is much less than that, I am wrong.

joe csuti · Dec 14, 2017

Original eng on splitter has been replaced at some point in time,the Tecumseh SBH-351A is a factory short block replacement for the HM80 eng(8 hp).Copy all the numbers you can find on carb body then click on link below,from list on top right corner of homepage click on CARBURETOR IDENTIFICATION,see if you can find mfg mod# of carb listed then get carb pn from list,after that goto ebay & search tecumseh + carb pn or search tecumseh hm80 carb,you can probably pickup a china replacement for $10-$20,I've bought several china carbs for H60 & HM100 eng and they work quite well.The SBH on tag means short block horizontal and is only used on factory assembled replacement blocks.
carb

Don B. · Dec 20, 2017

I'm sorry. I'll take someone else's temperamental Tecumseh over anything Harbor Freight. Tecumsehs I can get to run. HF? When it needs anything will I be able to get parts? Next year? 5 years from now? 10 years from now (assuming it hasn't blown up yet) I can find parts for Tecumsehs that are now 30-40-and more years old, typically just need a little maintenance to get going....

Texasmark1 · Dec 28, 2017

My sentiments exactly. Never had one that I liked and had as few as possible.

Tecumseh Engine - trying to get it to fire ..

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