tecumseh model number

[frankp]

I was studying the Tecumseh technicians handbook interpretation of model numbers and see the small frame. medium frame and heavy duty(cast iron ). I have been collecting a lot of older junk snowblowers that seem to all have Tecumseh motors. I'm thinking of just buying/keeping the "H" models and not the "M" or "S" models. Do you think this is a good idea?

Parts for Tecumseh still seem to be available. How long do you expect this to be true?

[RoyM]

H just means horizontal shaft. If you are referring to the HH cast iron engines you won't find them on snow blowers, parts are getting hard to come by and bloody expensive..
Most snow blowers 8hp and up came with the HMSK (horizontal medium frame snow king) engine. Good solid pieces although the carburetors can be an aggravation. The HSK, small frame is the 4-6 hp version. Tecumseh has out of the engine business for ten years, hard to say how long parts supply will last.

[KE4AVB]

Yes the original Company is out of business since 2007 and parts for the engines that they produce are becoming scare as none of the new owners are manufacturing them.


The engine side was sold off to re-open by the new at that time as Tescumseh Power which now has been sold off as follows:

2007 Platinum Equity LLC, which did business as Tecumseh Power. They produced the Tecumseh engine products until it was sold of in 2008.

December 2008, Husqvarna brought the Peerless transmission division.

February 10, 2009, Certified Parts Corporation purchased the engine division.

On September 1, 2010 It was sold again to LCT (Liquid Combustion Technology) of Travelers Rest, SC which has re-introduce the Snow King engines and are now producing new redesigned 4 cycle engines again.

Reference article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tecumseh_Products

[frankp]

Thanks for the info, What were the "H" engine put on?

[motorhead64]

H40 H50 H60 H70 were installed on older snowblowers from the 60's and 70's..Ariens and others. They were "upgraded" to HSK model engines in the 80's and after. Many are still running strong, but, as mentioned, parts get harder and harder to find. MH

[bgsengine]

RoyM has got it closer - as I understand the question it isn't about the "H" series Horizontal Shaft , but the second modifier - as in HH60

HH60 - 6 HP Cast Iron Block
H60 - 6 HP Aluminum block
HS60 - 6 HP Small Frame (May have cylinder sleeve)
HM80 - 8 HP Aluminum block with cylinder sleeve (Steel/Cast Iron, whatever)

Then there's the SK designations for the Snow King builds as in HMSK80 - medium frame, aluminum block, sleeved cylinder, Snow King build (a heat box shroud instead of air filter - built for cold weather/snowblower stuff where it isn't expected to see a dusty/dirty environment)

Out of them all the HH (Heavy Frame) is usually the most durable/rebuildable but being cast iron, not really ideal for some application such as snowblowers or go-karts - You may be more likely to find them on Tractors and Rototillers - The lightweight H and HS is a more desirable unit for things like go-karts, mini-bikes, edgers, etc where weight is a factor... So they can all be desirable models - the newer ones that were built for EPA compliance - not so much.. and many of the later models were actually just not much more than chinese honda clones in Tecumseh Badge.

[frankp]

Thank bgs. I quess it boils down to the old saying that one tool can't do it all. I'll probably not come across many HH models as I mostly just get junk on craigslist.