Small engine swap gov'nr questions..

All,

I have a horizontal small engine on a vibratory plate compactor, well it's beyond tired. Little to no compression, and did not want to re-build it if I didn't need to.

I have a gc160 Honda small engine from a pressure washer. I was hoping to use this engine as a replacement, but the governor is a constant speed style, once the engine is running, it stays at that speed.

I need to be able to idle the engine, then throttle t up to get the compactor...uh...compacting?!

Is it worth my while to try? OR is the existing compactor engine the way to go? By the way, the original compactor engine was replaced before my time, so what I've got is a retrofit to begin with.

Thanks for those in the know,

D.
 
That's not hard to do at all.

On the Honda, there is a spring on the governor arm that sets the run speed. Presently, it is in a fixed position. What you do is fab a movable bracket so the spring can be slacked off for idle, then pulled back to it's original position for running speed. It can be as simple as a loop on the end of the throttle cable.

Just be careful to put a stop so it can't be over tightened and over revved. Believe that engine tops out at 3600 RPM.

If you're not handy making something like that, a visit to a lawn mower shop might get something off a dead mower motor that would bolt on.
 
Steve,

I think I understand. I've seen carbureted automobiles with a section of cable end that would allow the throttle to go open, but eventually get the tranny to kick down.

I'll give feedback on this endeavor. I just do not want to spend money on a well-worn Tecumseh with unknown hours, poor compression, especially when it wasn't original to begin with.

This Honda has some time on it. Run great.

But given your advice, I need to look at the simple task of allowing the gov to be "over-ridden" at idle.

Thanks,

D.
 
I have seen that engine on tillers, and I put one on a mini bike once, so I am pretty sure Honda has the parts to convert it over to variable speed. I think it would be a matter of finding a spec. number- (The 5 alphabet letters in the VIN number on the side of the block) that had the correct throttle parts and ordering them.
 
As others have commented, it can be done. For years lawn mowers were equipped with either a throttle plate attached to the carburetor, or a throttle cable by which you could choose the speed you desired to run the mower, even down to a slow idle. Basically what they did was adjust the tension on the governor spring to hold the throttle to the desired setting. Sometimes it just takes a little "Yankee Ingenuity" to think through a problem. As far as the old Tecumseh is concerned, it is becoming a hassle to find parts for a lot of Tecumseh models, so unless you just want to rebuild it "for fun" I wouldn't worry about it. You can likely find someone who collects Tecumseh engines and sell it.
 
The Honda engines are divided into 2 categories. Th GX is an industrial engine series meant to last and be repaired. The GC series engine is a homeowner grade disposable engine with the idea of lasting maybe 50-100 hrs.at most and be discarded. It also has a crappy timing belt driven overhead cam system. The GX series will out last 2-3 of the GC series.
 

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