Wanted: seized or cheap HS40’s
- Thread starter gumpit
- Start date
why is your cut off 1976? essentially the HS40 is 1968/1969 version1, 1970 to 1972 version2, 1973 to 1979 version3. in 1980 the crankshaft taper changes, and then things start to get weird... i would go 1968 to 1979 as the most desired years. effectively there's no difference in a 1976 or 1979 model. they both have cast iron flywheels and the squared off blower housing. What i look for is HS40 models A to F. once you hit G, you get that changed flywheel taper.
But any HS40 model A to J will have the 4 leg pull start (with J models having CDI ignition.) But when K starts to come out in 1988, the pull start changes to the Cyclone version, and i do not like the looks of those. But you can always put a 4 leg pull start blower housing on the later cyclone pull start models.
Frankly all the HS40 models are essentially the same. Sure in the 1990s they changed the piston to use the thinner rings. but other than that, they are all pretty much the same (if you don't care about flywheel tapers or points/cdi ignition or pull start variants.)
Just avoid the 1990s H40 models. those are different. essentially an H35 with subtle changes. they discontinued the HS40 mid-1990s and went to the H40, because it fit emissions standards better.
But any HS40 model A to J will have the 4 leg pull start (with J models having CDI ignition.) But when K starts to come out in 1988, the pull start changes to the Cyclone version, and i do not like the looks of those. But you can always put a 4 leg pull start blower housing on the later cyclone pull start models.
Frankly all the HS40 models are essentially the same. Sure in the 1990s they changed the piston to use the thinner rings. but other than that, they are all pretty much the same (if you don't care about flywheel tapers or points/cdi ignition or pull start variants.)
Just avoid the 1990s H40 models. those are different. essentially an H35 with subtle changes. they discontinued the HS40 mid-1990s and went to the H40, because it fit emissions standards better.
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personally i would go the HS50 route. though rings and pistons are rare for that, at least a TON of snow blowers came with HS50 engines. snow means no dust or dirt... usually these motors are very fresh and don't need a ton of work. mostly carb problems. and the HS50 looks like an HS40. so you get the look without the expense. plus one more HP to boot. better for our fat old butts...
I was going to say this as well. Hs-50 are easier to find, and outwardly look the same. If you get a points motor you can run the thin, round-top shroud and it looks basically the same as Hs-40 but more power. Valve springs, retainers, a cam and slide carb and exhaust and they run really good. Can get lighted versions too.
I love flatheads, dead simple. And when they are set up well, the start and run just as reliably as OHV in my experience
I love flatheads, dead simple. And when they are set up well, the start and run just as reliably as OHV in my experience
Most of the snowblowers will have cdi ignitions correct? I’m hoping to practice with older ones with points and setting timing. The more complete the motor I can find the better also. I’d like to be able to see the before and after when replacing parts to be able to detect the differences in how much the parts are actually worn down. So I’m looking for a complete block. Minus an exhaust or intake. It was interesting to see how many different lighting coils and flywheel options there were when I converted my 10hp to electric start. I’m sure parts for the 4 or 5hp will be harder and more expensive to find. But that will be part of the fun also.
@Skipp do you have any complete blocks that may be seized? I’d like to take a stab at freeing one up that may need to be bored or honed as well.
@Skipp do you have any complete blocks that may be seized? I’d like to take a stab at freeing one up that may need to be bored or honed as well.
snowblowers don't have cdi more than points. it just depends what era motor you get. any HS40 or HS50 from about 1986 forward will have CDI. i like 1970s snowblowers best, with an A, B or C series HS50 engine. that's the best era. And as Mass said, you can easily back date the HS50 to look exactly like an early 1970s HS50... but with more power and a lower cost. you need to read up...
www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/techumsehmb.htm
www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/techumsehmb.htm
Don’t care if you read it or not. Or Y’all can continue to ask the same goofy questions here, Which have been covered about a million times… No one gets paid by reading that document. I’m just trying to help the guy know what he’s asking for. Having 1976 as a cut off date is really odd. So clearly he probably needs some help. And the information here is hard to find, harder to read, and clearly you can’t find everything in one spot
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