what to do w/ old B&S Toro Power Handle

[mpvue]

I've got this thing from my Dad, he bought it in '69 w/ the snowblower and lawnmower attachments and used it for the next 20 years. in around 1990 or so, he put a new B&S engine on it (I think the shop at the time said it wasn't worth fixing the old one).
he then used it for a few more years until finally retiring it.
I asked for it a few years ago, brought it to a shop to get tuned up (expensive! it was like $110! I'll never do that again!)
it starts and runs great, until you put a load on it and it stalls. it doesn't feel like it has any compression.
I really don't want to put any more money into it. do you think an MMO piston soak might free up the rings and maybe get some compression back?
and what kind of oil should I put in this, just some straight 30wt I'd assume.
IDK what model it is, it's just the typical old B&S single vertical cylinder type, one plug up on top, gas tank mounted to the front, pull start.

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

I worked for a Toro dealer back in the early 60s and I remeber the power handle. Seems like it would power either a reel or rotary mower, snow blower and a tiller. Kind of a 5 in 1 device. I don't think it was a real hot seller for Toro.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Jim_Beverlin
I worked for a Toro dealer back in the early 60s and I remeber the power handle. Seems like it would power either a reel or rotary mower, snow blower and a tiller. Kind of a 5 in 1 device. I don't think it was a real hot seller for Toro.

well, if it was popular or not is neither here nor there; my Dad used it for more than 20 years so it's a good machine.
I'd like to be able to still use the snow blower, it worked real well, esp considering how relatively small it is.

 

[kcfx4]

put it forsale on ebay, ppl eat vintage machienes up!!

 

[01rangerxl]

Do a compression test, or at least stick a finger over the spark plug hole, to confirm that poor compression is your problem and not something like the carb.

I don't know if MMO or any other additive will save the engine, but at this point there's no harm in trying it first.

Briggs and Stratton does sell short blocks. If you are mechanically inclined at all it's pretty simple to swap out a B&S short block. They come with all the gaskets you will need. Just make sure you read a how-to guide or something on adjusting the governor properly before starting it.

And like kc said, you can always sell it if it will be too much hassle, time, or money for you to fix. Somebody will want it.

 

[steve20]

sounds exactly like crud in the carb