chineese 5.5 & 6.5hp engines as project engines?

Renze · Sep 16, 2004

We dont get any Chinese Honda copies in Holland, but i visited my uncle in canada this spring:

He bought a 13 hp Chinese Honda imitation, cheaper than a 5 horse original Honda.

Between 10 and 15 running hours, the engine gave up, when he opened the valve cover, he found that the pushrod wore through the rocker arm !!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

He returned it and got his money back, the Chinese brand was removed from the shelves within a month.
There were probably more people complaining about the quality of these...

My uncle nowadays insists on Honda original !!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Sep 16, 2004

Soundguy,
I did not even know about the Chinese engines. After doing some research I think that with you being handy a better route might be to get an old I/C ( steel sleeved) Briggs and use it. Those things last a long time. The Aluminum bore ones are pretty short lived though.

However for $99. I might try a Chinese one too. I need to round up an extra engine right now to build a "battery charger" with. About an 8 HP engine with a 135 amp alternator belted to it. Can be used to power inverters or charge batteries. Pretty handy.

btw, Saw some 500 watts (continuous) inverters at Sams the other day for under $30, think I will go back and buy a couple.

Ben

Soundguy · Sep 17, 2004

Yep.. thanks for the info.. especially sams.

You know.. as much as people badmouth B/S.. I've never had a problem with them.

I have an old cheapy push mower I bought back in 93 or 94.. with a b/s engine. It's had about 4 oil changes.. a couple air filters.. 1 new wheel.. and I sanded the impulse pickup down once. I leave gas in it all year long.. and it starts on the first crank every time.

I have a b/s in my murray rider mower.. and a b/s in my sears pull behind trail mower. most I've done is rebuild a carb a couple times. The two larger engines.. the 8.5hp and the 12.5 hp are the sleeved ones...

Soundguy

SPIKER · Sep 17, 2004

BEN: check out those inverters to SEE if they can be connected in paralell: (some of them have a small fiting that is connects the two or more together for MORE output!!!, One I bought @ K-Mark closeout store was like this, and I didn't even know it, I think I would have to buy the same BRAND for a 2nd or 3rd one but then I could have much-o power! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MarkM

KiotiJohn · Sep 17, 2004

( You know.. as much as people badmouth B/S.. I've never had a problem with them.)
Totally agree Chris. I've had several, and the machine they powered were gone before the engine even coughed.
Mom has a Murray 12.5 that's about 12 years old with B&S that's never need a bit of attention other than regualr oil changes and filter cleaning etc. Still a strong runner. I'd buy another B&S engine any time. John

bobodu · Sep 17, 2004

Ya know,I always said I never met a Briggs I didn't like.Then I married into this one /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I really hold that Nikki carb to blame.$21 carb kit,$48 fuel shutoff $112 starter ad nauseum.Been working on Briggs for 33 years and have never had the problems I have here! 9 good ones out there and 1 slacker...could be a Monday/Friday thing /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Oh well...it does make me look good in my sweethearts eyes when I get it running again.

KiotiJohn · Sep 17, 2004

( it does make me look good in my sweethearts eyes when I get it running again )
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Sep 17, 2004

Thanks Mark for the tip, did not know that feature existed. I am going to get a couple of the inverters and will check for the feature.

Ben

slowrev · Sep 17, 2004

Chris,
Yes I like Briggs and the old Kohler K series, but the Kohlers seem to eat valves so I like the briggs better /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The jury is still out on the newer OHV Briggs though. The steel sleeved briggs flatheads will run forever if you keep them full of oil, don't even have to change it very often. My FIL has a 15 or so year old Myrray rider with a briggs, don't hink he has changed the oil but maybe 3 times /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Still going strong.
Ben

1962 · Feb 9, 2005

I BOUGHT A 10 HORSE DIESEL OFF EBAY A FEW MONTHS BACK(THEREFORE THIS LATE POST). SHOE HORNED INTO A WHEEL HORSE TRACTOR. THIS WAS TO REPLACE THE K241 ENGINE THAT NEEDED REBUILT... EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO INSTALL A VIBRATION HOUR METER(ENGINE IS PULL START,NO ELECTRONICS). AFTER A 20 HOUR BREAK-IN PERIOD, I MOUNTED THE FRONT DOZER BLADE,AND WOW, TORQUE EVERYWHERE....
I COULD'NT EVEN COME CLOSE TO THE COST TO REBUILD THE KOHLER(I ALWAYS USE GENUINE KOHLER PARTS) FOR WHAT I PAID FOR THIS BRAND NEW DIESEL ENGINE. I SEND MY ENGINES OUT FOR THE MACHINE WORK,BUT I DO THE REST MYSELF,AND THE REBUILD IS ALOT MORE THAN THE PURCHASE AND SHIPPING OF THIS NEW ENGINE..
I NOW HAVE 120 HOURS ON IT AND I CANT COMPLAIN,IT'S SO FUEL EFFICIENT,AND IN MY OPINION HAS MORE TORQUE THAN A 14 HORSE KOHLER ON ANOTHER TRACTOR. I LIKED THESE DIESEL ENGINES SO MUCH THAT I BOUGHT ANOTHER SMALLER ONE(4.5 HP) TO REPLACE THE TIRED TECUMSEH ENGINE ON THE WALK BEHIND SNOW BLOWER. I WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE ALSO REPLACE THE LOGSPLITTER ENGINE WITH A DIESEL...