Tecumseh Snowblower governor

[Saturn_Fan]

Just wondering if there is any tweaking I can do this winter on my 5.5 Tecumseh Sno-king. Is there a safe way to monkey with the rpm governor to allow a little more oomph when I need it in heavy snow? The 5.5 does pretty well, but I have to take a lot smaller bites when I hit the 5ft drifts.

Yeah, I know I would rather have a 9.9hp, but I got this free from a car dealer a few years back when I bought a used car. (Definitely a Wisconsin thing, haha)

They had a deal where you get a free one if you spend over 4 grand. Not too bad of a deal as it is a 600 dollar machine, but I am sure I paid for the snow blower somewhere. LOL

 

[dwendt44]

The governor is adjustable on most older small engines.
I'd have a good mechanic do it however.
He should have tachometer so you aren't over reving that old side valve motor.

I run 0w30 synthetic in mine.

 

[Slick 55]

I wouldn't mess with the governor. You'll regret it when you have to shovel the driveway after you throw a rod....

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44
The governor is adjustable on most older small engines.
I'd have a good mechanic do it however.
He should have tachometer so you aren't over reving that old side valve motor.

I run 0w30 synthetic in mine.


I'll be running 0w30 as well as Tecumseh does recommend it. I'll be leaving the governor alone as I don't want to take a chance ruining it. When this one wears out, I'll go check out a larger model.

Thanks!

 

[JTK]

It's a good thought, but it won't gain you much as far as power goes. When that 5.5 bogs down on the heavy stuff, the throttle plate is wide open, right against it's stop. Only when the engine is unloaded does the governor hold it back from reving out of control. Having it rev fast, in 'gear' with the augers spinning unloaded will only cause you to snap shear pins or worse when it takes it's first bite.

Joel

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: JTK
It's a good thought, but it won't gain you much as far as power goes. When that 5.5 bogs down on the heavy stuff, the throttle plate is wide open, right against it's stop. Only when the engine is unloaded does the governor hold it back from reving out of control. Having it rev fast, in 'gear' with the augers spinning unloaded will only cause you to snap shear pins or worse when it takes it's first bite.

Joel


True, and I hate snapping shear pins when it's -20F out. Brrr

 

[H2GURU]

If you mess with the factory setting the end result will be the dreaded connecting rod failure ($21.00). Right now is a good time to go on Craiglist and get a cheap upgrade to an 8-24 at least. Many here in the Boston area as sheds are being cleaned out and if you're handy these are simple to work on. I've got a 30 year old 5 horse and it clears my 120 foot driveway fine. It just takes longer than I'd like so I got a larger one. You are probably expecting too much from this smaller machine?

 

[JTK]

Smaller machines are much easier on the back as well. Big ones can be a REAL chore to maneuver.

Joel