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Richie


Bring On The White Stuff

Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562

Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Original Message   Feb 2, 2005 4:47 pm

I had reservations about doing this on a new snowblower, but I have to tell you, this engine runs even smoother than it did before.  After the new carb was installed, I figured it didn't need to be started using full throttle as you normally would have to do.  After two hits of the primer, I raised the throttle to just over the idle position, and it started on the first pull.  In fact, it was much easier to warm up with the modified carb than it was with the original one.  I found I didn't have to manipulate the choke settings to keep it running as I did before. 

After a good warm-up, I raised the throttle to maximum and adjusted the high-speed main fuel mixture.  When the engine smoothed out, I lowered the engine speed to the idle position, only to find it was idling at 1,550 RPM's.  Amazing, because the EPA carburetor had to idle at 2,300 RPM's.  I did a fine adjustment to the low-speed mixture until it was at its smoothest.  What was most obvious to me was just how smooth it ran at any speed.  Normally there was just enough vibration that it would translate to the very long chute on this snowblower, but not anymore.  Aside from the noise these snowblowers make when running, if you grabbed the handle bars, you were only able to detect the slightest amount of vibration.

The only surprise I did notice was that after the carburetor was fully set, the maximum engine speed had increased to 3,500 RPM's.  I did make a minor adjustment to the governor to bring the speed back down to 3,400 RPMs, what it was set at prior to all of this.  Having to lower the governor setting, made it apparent to me just how much power gets robbed from the EPA carbs.  I suppose I have to look at it as the engine having that much more power available when the automatic governor kicks in when under a heavy load.  I'll put this machine up against a 10 hp snowblower any day of the week.



Richie
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MountainMan


Overpowered is Usually Adequate


Location: Connecticut
Joined: Feb 19, 2003
Points: 1564

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #6   Feb 2, 2005 5:42 pm
Marshall wrote:
Richie, where did you find the carb and for how much $?


Yes richie, its a OHV model. Its new, so I hesitate till its out of waranty. But the rough running, and lousy idle are bothersome. I am a huge advocate that if Ariens put a Honda or B&S Snow-Tech on its Pro Series, id be there.

Ariens 1128PRO- Honda Generator_ Husky 480-257 Jonsered 2050Turbo- Shindiawa T2500 SCAG Mower -little wonder blower-Sears track blower-Coleman Generator- Bombadier ATV-Stihl HS-45 Etc-Etc-Etc
spottedpony


Joined: Aug 23, 2004
Points: 301

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #7   Feb 2, 2005 6:10 pm
this sort of goes hand in hand with thoughts i had way back in the 70's when we started seeing air pollution controls on automobiles. fuel milage decreased on comparable engine models,  in some cases by half. so if fuel economy suffered how can they be less polluting? (to me) it stands to reason the cleaner they burn, and the better they run, be it an auto or any thing else with an internal combustion engine, the less pollution is left to be pumped into the atmosphere.  case in point, years ago i had an old ford with the 289, finally wore the engine out and had to replace it with a 302 with all the pollution controls on it. milage dropped from 20 to 11 mpg. it doesnt stand to reason with that increase in fuel consumption it would be less polluting? and i think the same holds true with power equipment engines, keep em tuned, and adjusted they burn far cleaner than the so called "clean burning" setups.  at least my experiences have been they do use less fuel.

Richie, if you've kept any track of fuel usage before the carb change, i think we'd all be interested to hear about any differences in fuel consumption after the swap. im betting it'll use less fuel while performing better.

AZinOH


Those who accept self-deception will perish by it.
Shakespeare said "to thine own self be true".


Joined: Nov 25, 2004
Points: 189

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #8   Feb 2, 2005 6:15 pm
If a dealer mechanic had his hands on this machine, would it be plainly obvious that he was looking at a replacement carb, not the original?  Or does it look exactly alike? I'm pleased to hear your modification was successful. I'm just wondering if at some later date a dealer might try to hassle you over a warranty claim or give you some other grief because the carb was not the original.

AZ

Snowblower...Toro Power Max 726te 2004

Lawn tractor...AYP w/ 14.5 Briggs-42in 2000

Richie


Bring On The White Stuff

Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #9   Feb 2, 2005 6:49 pm
I paid $74 for it because I didn't want to modify my original carburetor, which is cleaned out now and storaged.  However, this same carb rebuilt has gone for more than what I paid for this brand new one.  It is a precise duplicate in every way except that instead of having the non-adjustable main under the bowl, it has the adjustable screw type.  The bowl drain valve is still there.  Also, if somehow you were able to look down the throat of the carb, the "green" colored plastic jet is now brass.  Marc (MMl4) put me onto this person, thank you Marc.  This carb dealer knew exactly what was on my mind and had no problem accommodating me.  I'd also have to say that due to the carburetor box enclosure, unless you were on your knees and looking up under the carb, you would have no idea I did this.  If the machine requires a warranty repair, I'll deal with it at that time.  For now, I have a snowblower that runs much superior to what it was originally, and at every stage of RPM, and without a doubt, more available power.  As for fuel consumption, honestly, I really didn't notice it used much at all before.  If I notice it uses more or less, I'll be sure you let you all know.   


Richie
TheKneebiter


Joined: Oct 22, 2004
Points: 233

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #10   Feb 2, 2005 7:20 pm
can you give me the dealers number or website ? i would like to get a carb for a couple of my ope's.. thanks
This message was modified Feb 2, 2005 by TheKneebiter


Dave___in___CT


Deliberate often...
...decide once...


Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #11   Feb 2, 2005 7:41 pm
Whoooo.... Hoooo.... !


Underground market for OPE carbs !   


Dave...

Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.
Henry Ford

   BCS Tractor & snowblower

Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #12   Feb 2, 2005 7:45 pm
Shhh, don't tell the carb Police!
nibbler


Joined: Mar 5, 2004
Points: 751

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #13   Feb 2, 2005 7:55 pm
spottedpony wrote:

Richie, if you've kept any track of fuel usage before the carb change, i think we'd all be interested to hear about any differences in fuel consumption after the swap. im betting it'll use less fuel while performing better.


I find that  gas consumption is more a measure of how hard I'm working the engine. The second last snow fall we had was about 20cm ( 8in) of light fluffy stuff. I went through about 20 driveway's and did 1 refill. By the time I got back to my place I still had about 1/2 tank. The previous time had been about 15cm ( 5in) of wet stuff with some ice. I went through 3 tanks and limped home on the fourth with less than 1/4 of a tank left. In the first case the engine hardly ever sounded like it was working. In the second case it was giving its lowed ptched "battle cry" and digging in to do a lot of heavy lifting particulary at EOD..
Richie


Bring On The White Stuff

Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #14   Feb 2, 2005 8:28 pm
Hi Nibbler,

I agree with you about fuel consumption being directly related to how hard these machines work.  I also know exactly what that "under load" sound is that you mentioned, no doubt when the automatic governor is trying to do its job.  The only time this machine made that noise was when I did my EOD with about 20"+ left by the snow plows.  Then again, the engine almost died causing me to have to yank back on a 250 lb. machine.  Shortly after that is when the engine started surging, which really ticked me off.  At least today,  when I tested the engine with the new carb under load in 6" or 7" of wet snow, it never came close to putting the machine under a load.  My old Toro with the 5 hp engine would have easily given up..LOL.  I'll be sure to see if I notice a fuel difference as you and SpottedPony have suggested. 

Richie
Majorxlr8n


Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092

Re: Replaced Standard Snowblower Carburetor with Adjustable Type
Reply #15   Feb 3, 2005 12:45 am
How about sharing the new carb part number so others can perform the swap?  Sounds like there is interest...

Marty

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