Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > Freash Meat with an old Craftsman workhorse
Date: 4 Dec 2006 4:37 am
Just want to start by saying hello to all!
I've been lurking in your shadows and decided to Reg. up! I have been enjoying my reading and think you guys and or gals are very friendly and helpful. I have learned loads and I thank you for all the great info you offer.
I bought my first snowblower last year near the end of the season and man is it a hungry beast! Thankfully it's favorite meal is snow!!! It's an older model Craftsman 8/26 c944-52750 (see avatar or whatever it's called)and looks like it's been in a warzone but what a brute! This thing chews up everything you can toss at it, burps, then begs for more! I have a 450 foot gravel drive and sure it's a couple trips up and down but she does well and with few troubles!
I find this year I need to do a little bit of work on the old girl but am having trouble finding this Canadian (I gather from previous posts Re: The "c" prefix) with sears. Funny, I look up my old 1953 Sears hand cranked ridemower and get diagrams (no parts available though) yet I am having no luck with the blower.
Sears Canada doesn't have the same great search features as Sears U.S. but would anyone know if this beast has a 536. or whatnot equivilent number for the U.S. model? I would have to think this model was produced both North and South.
I believe the motor is by Tecumseh Model 143-666322 SER6246D Do these numbers ring any bells? I want to get the electric start kit for this motor as it is equiped to accept one. That's one problem I have with her.... she is a bitch to pull start sometimes... very fussy. I was at the Tecumseh but they don't seem to want to be bothered with info on old products. All I could see were newer models.
Anyway, nice to meet you (so to speak) sorry if I was babbling a bit. :)
Date: 4 Dec 2006 8:07 am
Yukon, welcome to the forum!
Glad your lurking was fruitful and informative.
Nice old beast.
Just give it a bit of time for those in the "know" to chime in.
-Bob
Date: 4 Dec 2006 11:14 am
:welcome:
Nice to see another Canadian here!
What type of work do you need to get done to your machine?
Forget Sears. That is also a Noma Canadiana machine. Try your small engine dealerships with that name instead. I use to have one of those machines. It was a snow eating tank.
Looking at the picture I see that you don't have chains on those tires. How do you get any traction?? If you are going to keep that machine around for a while......better get some Carlisle X-Tracs on it! :P I am a recent convert and instant lover of those tires. Trust me, if you are new to snowblowers then the new tires will take your experience to a whole new level. :whistling: No more spinning tires.
Also.......switch to synthetic oil 5W30. Your machine will be much easier to start when cold. New electric starters, BTW, cost about $150.00, not installed. I would never pay for installation, though, it is just too easy to do yourself.
Keep us informed and join in the conversations!
Ken
:)
Date: 7 Dec 2006 2:17 am
Thanks for the welcome ramit and SnowPro
Quote:
Nice to see another Canadian here!
What type of work do you need to get done to your machine?Forget Sears. That is also a Noma Canadiana machine.
Ya, good to see you too, I've been to the soux a couple times delivering machinery. I haven't had a chance to stay and check it out personaly though. Looks good from the truck anyway. :wink:
Thanks for the Noma info, I just wanted to get the part diagrams for the beast from Sears. This is the first time I have ever looked up one of their machines for specs and not able to get it.
I need to take the impeller out and straighten out one of the fins (or install new one depending on how much they are). I am unsure though how to aproach it. I thought if I disconnect the drive shaft at the gearbox for the auger and pull the housing (auger intact) away from the impeller to access it from there. I don't know if it can be accessed from the front without romoving the the housing.
It just looked easier then removing the auger and reaching through. I guess I am afraid of not knowing what holds the impeller in place. I don't want to reach in and pull it out and popping some retaining device that should of been dealt with from behind with the housing off. :? Does that make any sence or am I talking phsyco babble?
I also want to add the electric start, 110v ac version. Looks like it's just 4 screws and mount the plug. I did some checking and found a chart that converts craftsman motor model numbers to tecumseh (it was on their sight actualy) so I now know my Tecomseh model number is HM80-155137C. Just a matter ordering the starter kit. I don't know if it's a common part these days for more modern machines or if I am going to have to hunt for it, as I think my machine is rather old... maybe 20 years :?:
I also need to replace the muffler and pray that the bolts don't break off. Who knows any secrets to removing old muffler bolts safely?
Other then that, get a spare belt and a couple sets of shear pins (I picked that up from you guys, thanks :vg: ), fresh plug and and oil and I'm good to go.
You also mentioned switch to synthetic oil 5W30, do I need to do anything to the motor to prepare it for the switch to synthetic oil?, or just do the oil change.
Quote:
Looking at the picture I see that you don't have chains on those tires. How do you get any traction?? If you are going to keep that machine around for a while......better get some Carlisle X-Tracs on it! I am a recent convert and instant lover of those tires. Trust me, if you are new to snowblowers then the new tires will take your experience to a whole new level. No more spinning tires.
Well, I'm 6'5" and 275 lbs so when they spun, I manhandled it. Surprisingly I had reasonable traction with those tires, I guess the gravel drive helps too.(Had to raise my skid pads, I think it was gravel that bent my fin. Either that or it was bent when I bought it and didn't notice.) Lots of little square treds with good gapping. I guess it could of been worse. I doubt I can afford those X-Tracs, I am riddled with debt (like most of us poor hard working saps).
A friend might have a set of chains for the beast that I can have. I will look into those tires though and at least see what they are all about though, thanks for the tip.
Quote:
Keep us informed and join in the conversations!
Will do, but I don't think I would be much help joining in the conversations though, as I know pretty much nothing about snowblowers. If I see something that I can add my 2 cents in (6cents U.S.) I will :tc:
Date: 7 Dec 2006 3:09 am
Yukon - a 120v electric starter for a Tecumseh HM80 should be easy to find used, and cheap (try Ebay). But first, make sure your flywheel is geared for an electric starter.
As for straightening the impeller blades, you need to remove the ENTIRE impeller shaft & auger assembly. The auger belt & pulley would be the first items to remove. Then remove the 2 side auger rake shaft bearing retainers & bearings. Then cooerce the auger rake shaft forward (you might have to bend the metal sides at the front outwards) & the whole thing will slide out. Remove the roll pins that secure the impeller to the impeller shaft, then remove the impeller. Trust me, thats a BIG job.
I would try to use a block of wood, a large 4 foot ripping/pry bar & big hammer, then try to straighten the fins without taking everything apart. That may not be the easiest either. Your choice!
And welcome! Feel free to chime in anytime. We all have something to offer to one another!
Marty
Date: 7 Dec 2006 5:12 am
Quote:
a 120v electric starter for a Tecumseh HM80 should be easy to find used, and cheap (try Ebay). But first, make sure your flywheel is geared for an electric starter.
I am assuming that the sticker telling me it is equipped to accept an electric starter kit was all the info I needed. I will pop the cover off where the starter goes and check for teeth. I would of figured a geared flywheel would of been a given from the factory if they are saying it's equipped for one. Stranger things have happened I guess, thanks for making me aware to check. I would hate to get the kit then find out I need to swap out the flywheel.
Quote:
As for straightening the impeller blades..... and everything in between....... then remove the impeller. Trust me, thats a BIG job.
Ya, sounds like a bit more then I want to get involved with, I will try manhandling the blade first. It is bent back conciderabley, but I think if I take my time I should be able to inch it back to where it kind of should be. That's one reason why I want to track down the tear down parts diagrams so I can see the order of things and not dive in blind.
You saved me from alot of cursing and swearing by not knowing what I was getting into. I am mechanically inclined but cautious when on unfamiliar grounds.
Date: 7 Dec 2006 6:32 am
YUKON,
Look under the gas tank, towards the rope pull.
You may be able to see the teeth of the flywheel ring.
If there is teeth, that is where the starter would engage the engine.
Fred :lol:
Date: 8 Dec 2006 12:04 pm
Great advice from Marty and Fred.
As far as belts go, if you can't find one listed for a Canadiana, then you can go to a Napa or someone that sells Gates Powerrated belts (green colour) and size one up. Remember belts stretch, so size accordingly......but not too small! :wink:
If you can get those chains for your machine, then get them. They will make a difference. The X-Trac tires will set you back about $30.00 each.
Like was said, everyone has something to offer, so don't be afraid to chime in regularly. All points of view are appreciated!
Ken
:)
Date: 8 Dec 2006 12:11 pm
I ran gates auto belts on my craftsman 5/24 for most of it's live (gave it to a neighbor last year after ~ 16year of owing it).
Never blew a sheer pin.
When I 1st got the machine, after the first set of belts I was eating the stock replacement belts every snowblowing session.
I ran out of the 3 I bought for the season one year, went to Aid auto and sized up some belts. Bought another 3 sets.. and from then on depending on how bad the seasons was I went through 1 - 2 auger drive belts a year.
My Dad's Sears machine was a year newer and track drive.. but same internals.
He still has his original belts and every once in awhile goes through sheer pins... go figure.
Well actually, last year replaced all the belts finally cause it was throwing poorly.
Date: 10 Dec 2006 3:57 am
Well, tossed in a new plug, changed the oil and now have to modifiy the "universal shoes" my local shop sold me. They were the closest match but the multi distance adapter for the bolts is not quite wide enogh. I guess I'll try to make the slider slots wider or something as I don't want to drill out the square retainer hole on the auger shell.
My local shop knows nothing about this machine, it's frustrating living in the country. I have a fractured fibula to boot so I don't hobble around as well as I have in past. The gave me a "universal" muffler that won't bolt on unless I drill it out and hammer the crimp so it will fit in the housing so I ordered the actual muffler for it (twice the price...ugh)
No idea what size belt to get, nore can I picture "splitting" the maching to access it. Going to pop the cover and pray there is a belt number visible I guess, cuz these guys suck at being any help.
Priced the x-trac's (saw them in their shop... wow, real agressive and very sticky compound!!) but they want 50 each plus tax... sigh, guess I'll look for chains in the mean time.
Electric starter they wanted 195 + tax for... saw them cheaper on ebay, but by the time you convert to U.S. pay border and get taxed here plus the shipping prices and weeks to wait.... may be worth it just to suck up and purchase them here. Going to price around though. May be worth the drive to get a cheaper one.
Still need to try and bend my one impeller blade back to as normal as I can without having to remove it as it sounds like quite the task if I attempt removal and I'm a snowblower virgin. So I'll dig in with vice grips, pry bars, blocks of wood... my dogs left paw... whatever it takes!!
Thanks again for the fountain of knowledge, you guys are like crack... I think I'm addicted!
Date: 10 Dec 2006 7:26 am
Looks like you've got your hands full there Yukon. One step at a time and you'll soon get there..... hobbling along. :D