440B Engine Transplant

[SkidRoe]

Anyone ever done it? The old Kohler is pretty tired and I can get a new 20Hp Honda clone for about a grand. All pertinant interfaces are in about the correct spot, revs are equal. A couple of more horsepower couldn't hurt either. Throttle linkage, exhaust connection, and belt alignment look like the biggies to me. I saw a guy on the web who is putting in 24hp Hondas. The kit looks pretty straight forward, I should be able to replicate it in our machine/fab shop. 24hp would be nice, but I have lived with 18 hp for so long, 20hp should still be a treat. Anybody have any pointers? Thanks in advance.

 

[SkidRoe]

Oops, I accidentally posted it twice. Anybody with admin rights can feel free to delete the earlier posting. Thanks!!

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Oops, I accidentally posted it twice. Anybody with admin rights can feel free to delete the earlier posting. Thanks!!

No problem.
This wil llikely end up in the repower forum.
Let us know how it goes and take lots of pictures.
Ken

 

[SkidRoe]

No problem.
This wil llikely end up in the repower forum.
Let us know how it goes and take lots of pictures.
Ken

I guess I should scroll to the bottom a little more often!! Sure, stick it in the re-power forum.
Thanks, Ken.

 

[SkidRoe]

I guess I should scroll to the bottom a little more often!! Sure, stick it in the re-power forum.
Thanks, Ken.

Well, looks like I am into it: Picked up the motor today. It is a Chinese knock-off of a Honda GX620. From the reasearch that I have done on the net, these sound like they are pretty much as good as the original, and less than half the price. For what I am planning to use the machine for (mainly home use), it should fit the bill.
Question: Is there any point trying to re-route the exhaust to line up with the vertical stack, or could I just bore a hole in the back door and let it blast out the back? From pictures I have seen of later diesel powered units, it looks like they have done away with the vertical stack.
Pops and I are going to have a shot at the transplant this week. Updates & pictures to follow.

 

[Tazza]

Well, looks like I am into it: Picked up the motor today. It is a Chinese knock-off of a Honda GX620. From the reasearch that I have done on the net, these sound like they are pretty much as good as the original, and less than half the price. For what I am planning to use the machine for (mainly home use), it should fit the bill.
Question: Is there any point trying to re-route the exhaust to line up with the vertical stack, or could I just bore a hole in the back door and let it blast out the back? From pictures I have seen of later diesel powered units, it looks like they have done away with the vertical stack.
Pops and I are going to have a shot at the transplant this week. Updates & pictures to follow.

The only thing i'd want to do, is to give the exhaust a bit of a bend up then down and out to creat sort of a water trap that it can't go up hill to prevent the possibility of water enetering. You don't want the possibility of getting any water in and having it sit in your muffler.
Hpefully that makes a little sense.
Just my 2c

 

[SkidRoe]

The only thing i'd want to do, is to give the exhaust a bit of a bend up then down and out to creat sort of a water trap that it can't go up hill to prevent the possibility of water enetering. You don't want the possibility of getting any water in and having it sit in your muffler.
Hpefully that makes a little sense.
Just my 2c

I see what you are saying and it is a good idea, but there really isn't room. With the muffler that came with the engine, I will have to cut a hole in the rear door to clear the muffler exhaust pipe to even get the rear door to close (as a soon to be posted picture will show). Actually, the muffler position and pipe length are perfect, it looks like it was designed for this application.
I am hoping that water entry won't be a problem, if anything, it sould be less suseptible than the stock configuration; the pipe pointed straight up on it, with only a feeble attempt at a bend at the top to divert rain.
Thanks for the comments, keep them coming.

Derek

 

[Tazza]

I see what you are saying and it is a good idea, but there really isn't room. With the muffler that came with the engine, I will have to cut a hole in the rear door to clear the muffler exhaust pipe to even get the rear door to close (as a soon to be posted picture will show). Actually, the muffler position and pipe length are perfect, it looks like it was designed for this application.
I am hoping that water entry won't be a problem, if anything, it sould be less suseptible than the stock configuration; the pipe pointed straight up on it, with only a feeble attempt at a bend at the top to divert rain.
Thanks for the comments, keep them coming.
Derek

I just saw the piccies of how the muffler is setup, i was thinking that the muffler was lower, i see no reason why a hole out the back wouldn't be perfect. I have seen it done that way before.

 

[GlennsM444]

Well, looks like I am into it: Picked up the motor today. It is a Chinese knock-off of a Honda GX620. From the reasearch that I have done on the net, these sound like they are pretty much as good as the original, and less than half the price. For what I am planning to use the machine for (mainly home use), it should fit the bill.
Question: Is there any point trying to re-route the exhaust to line up with the vertical stack, or could I just bore a hole in the back door and let it blast out the back? From pictures I have seen of later diesel powered units, it looks like they have done away with the vertical stack.
Pops and I are going to have a shot at the transplant this week. Updates & pictures to follow.

How is the Chinese GX620 knock off holding up in the 440B? May I ask where you bought that engine? I've done one repower on a 444 and I'm planning another one on my 600. I'd like to know how these Chinese replicas are holding up in skids.

 

[SkidRoe]

How is the Chinese GX620 knock off holding up in the 440B? May I ask where you bought that engine? I've done one repower on a 444 and I'm planning another one on my 600. I'd like to know how these Chinese replicas are holding up in skids.

Hi Glenn,
It is still running great. The only thing that I have had to do to it, other than routine maintenance, is replace the starter. For that, I sourced a Honda one, and it bolted right in. The old one got weaker over time, and eventually would not crank at all. New one was about $110, so I could not complain.
FWIW - I have been running Amsoil 10w40 synthetic motorcycle oil in it. I had a case of it left over from a Ducati I used to own, and figured this was a good place to use it up.
I bought mine from Princess Auto here in Canada. As far as I can tell, they do not carry this motor anymore.
If I was to go shopping for a replacement, I would likely go to Carroll Stream Engines in Michigan. They carry an identical one. They also have a 22 hp V-twin diesel that looks quite interesting.
Cheers - SR