I always liked these engines back in the day. Cheap, powerful, nice governor and carb, but have plastic cams that ususually dont break. They were *not* good on power washers. Lots of big end connecting rod failures, and lots of bore scuffing. How do they last on log splitters?
Log Splitter with Briggs 190cc Flathead Any Good?
- Thread starter Fordiesel69
- Start date
Pretty bullet proof. Why weren't they good on power washers? The only failures I've seen with them have been due to owners not checking the oil or keeping mice nests out from the shroud.
The biggest issue I see with power washers is people use them and don't run the gas out of them, and the carbs get gummed up. And they also forget to put them in heated spaces for storage over the winter, and the pumps crack making them useless. The prices for replacement pumps can be more that half what a new washer costs. But the engines will outlast the rest of the units, as long as you keep oil in them.,,
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
we just re-powered our splitter with a HF Predator. the BS flat head kept sticking a valve and instead of tearing it all down it was easier and cheap ($200) to just re-power. starts much easier now and i dont rip the pull string out of it every time.
the BS flat head gave many many years of service with literally zero maintenance. it’s older than me and likely never got oil changes, just top ups. it would probably run fine if the valve guide could be cleaned up.
the BS flat head gave many many years of service with literally zero maintenance. it’s older than me and likely never got oil changes, just top ups. it would probably run fine if the valve guide could be cleaned up.
Back when B&S was closing down the manufacturing of flat-head engines, I bought a couple of flat-head push lawn mowers on closeout. And, yes, they are/were good engines. But while the modern overhead cam MAY not last as long, they are much more powerful, quieter and use a lot less gas.
Just maybe not in California.
As noted, if the rest of the splitter is good, repower with a HF.
Just maybe not in California.
As noted, if the rest of the splitter is good, repower with a HF.
So on the power washers, the pumps must not have been sized right. They would overload the engine and wear it out very quickly. I used to get a bunch of them with big end connecting rod failure. I would rebuild them and whenever you depress the trigger, the governor would literally be wide open to compensate for the water flow. I think it just beat them up.
Was curious if a power washer would beat up the engines, and wondering with proper maint if they would hold up.
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