(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Small Engine Rebuild Or Replace?

S

skycarp

Member
I have a 4.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine that is smoking badly. The air cleaner was ill-fitting and dust was drawn into the cylinder over time. It was being used by a renter and he did not take care of it properly. I am fairly sure the cylinder is scored, rings probably worn badly, bearings may be shot.

The lawn mower it came off of is still in very good shape. I hate to throw this unit away. I would like to rebuilt the engine.



1. Can these engines be rebuilt at a reasonable cost?
2. If not, should I look for a replacement engine?
3. Or should I just scrap it and buy a whole new lawn mower?

Any experience with rebuilding B&S engines would be appreciated.

Dean

(note Farmall Tractor in background so it could be considered tractor related).

487.jpg


490.jpg
 
Unless that engine is a cast iron bore engine it is only good for some parts like the carb and mag and such.
alum bore engines like that one appears to be are not worth rebuilding and will not last with a rebuild.
 
No, just scrap it, ita a throw away socicety. I just took 8 small engines to the scrap yard today.
 
If it has the case iron sleeve rebuild it if not it is most of the time scrap but I have seen them work well with a simple set of rings and gaskets. Probably cost less then $50 to try but $300 to replace the engine or if on sale at Wal-Mart $200 for a whole new mower
 
i'm a Brigg's dealer and quit rebuilding years ago...either buy a short block or new replacement engine and save yourself alot of grief.
BTW...Harbor Freight has those china engines in vertical too...i gotta say they're pretty good engines...i've installed quite a few over the past 5 years and had nary a comeback for failure...plus theyre cheap enuff to replace if they do wear out faster than a B&S.
 
Like BCnT said your best and cheapest bet would be to get one from Harbour Freight. I've got several buddies that have done the same thing here lately. The engines have all been Honda clones and they have had no problems. The last one I saw swapped out was on a ride on brodcast spreader that was being used to spread salt/slag this past winter. It started and ran as easy as you please when it was in the teens with snow on the ground. With the low price you can buy two or three of them for the price of one Briggs. If you find one of the x% off coupons you can get an even better deal.
 

Thanks for the good advice. I found this HF 5.5 HP small engine with vertical shaft for $129.00 plus shipping.

One thing I see that will give me problems is the vertical shaft is 7/8 in. diameter, while my existing engine shaft is 1 in. diameter. The blade mounting attachment, which is keyed onto the end of the shaft will be too large for the new engine. Are there sources somewhere for the blade mounting bracket that will fit the new engine with a 7/8 in shaft?

492.jpg


Dean
 
Throw it away, drive around on garbage pickup day and you will find one like it with a good engine. I get 3 to 8 a year with very little wrong with them. Once i found one on the curb that all i had to do was put gas in it.
 
Local Lowes has the same mower for 150 bucks.Last Briggs I rebuilt was 140 bucks counting the machine work to the block from a broken ring. It was a cast iron cylinder.
 
Is that engine a 158cc? A whole new mower won't cost much more than a new replacement engine. Sears has a 25% off sale on their mowers right now, starting around $140. Inexpensive new mowers are available many places for around $130 to $150.

Repaiable mowers are available if you are near a bigger town. Now a days it costs 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a new mower to have someone service or repair a mower. For many people it really is cheaper and easier to just replace their inexpensive mowers every few years rather than fool with getting one repaired.

A used engine or used mower with a similar engine are good options if the old mower chassis was expensive and is still in good shape. How much is you time worth to you to fiddle with it?
 
If you do buy another engine with a different size shaft you would also need a blade adabter that will fit it. Also, make sure the shaft length below the engine matches your old engine otherwise it will not match the deck properly. The old engine is not worth rebuilding.
 
Be very careful if you decide to buy a new engine for it. Briggs made the same engine with many different output shaft lenghts, diameters, keyway sizes, threaded holes, and cable attachments.
 
when you measure shaft length,use a straight edge across mounting ring on engine...then measure distance from straight edge to end of shaft...the blade adapters are available at most any mower shop for under 10 bucks.
 
Soon as the weaher warms up, and usually after the first sunny, warm, Saturday, watch what folks set out for the garbage! I've built a good business from being a "dumpster Diver". I ride around at night, after the warmer spring days come, and i usually get i or 2 nice looking mowers that wouldn't start, so they got tossed out! A bit of cleanup, and TLC, gets them ready for more lawn service, and i bank some more cash!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
What Horsepower Is This Briggs Engine
Replies
1
Views
420
RandyC
R
P
Panzer thread/Pennyslvania 88 Mower
Replies
3
Views
243
psimmer
P
C
Cracked cylinder wall
Replies
6
Views
684
Rldraehn
R
A
JD 316 and some general Onan info desired
Replies
7
Views
412
wore out
wore out
G
Trying to figure out which diesel engine I have in Ford 445 tractor, 175, 183, or...?
Replies
6
Views
402
Destroked 450
Destroked 450
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top