Honda Gx670 is toast

Started the old El diablo on Fri. morning. The ( discontinued) Honda GX670 Started for 10 seconds then died. Couldn't start it. Went home ( another $500 day down the drain). Has compression but the valves aren't turning. New Honda Gx690 is $1500 shipped to my door. I will rip this one out and check the block for cracks. If none new rebuild kit is $159- pistons, crank, oil pump, seals, everything included, even air filter ( don't get that one, but anyway). I will see if the local small engine guy can rebuild it. My question is what is the best way to get motor out? Planning on unbolting TM sliding it forward and using a hoist to pull it out. It weighs about 100 lbs., I'm pretty burly. but don't thing I can lift it out, maybe with help, but better safe than sorry. I would throw that Harbor freight 22 hp Predator Honda clone in but they are back ordered until the end of the month. They cost $699 and w/ a 20% coupon would run about $600 once you buy the extended warranty. What would you do?

If you have to replace it, I wouldn't bother with another Hondog or the HF clone.......it's too costly to have the down time, like you said you lost $500 today being down.  I just down see it being worth the couple hundred saved now, to put yourself at more risk of loosing a weeks worth of work and a couple grand.

I'd replaced it with another brand.

The engine hoist is what I use to take mine in and out, and also what I used to pull the whole TM out with.  I think it's the way to go, much easier than manhandling it.

BTW how many hours on it?.......was it ever run out of or run low on oil?

Don't rebuild...it was discontinued for a reason by Honda.

If it has compression, then the rebuild kit isn't what you need as it sounds like the cam.

Replace it with a Kohler and enjoy the reliability.

Dont know how much room you have Diablo but I didn't remove the TM to get the briggs out. I put the engine on a furniture mover and rolled it out of the van. Put a box ir small table on the mover if you need the height.

Sorry about the engine bro hopefully you can re schedule most of the jobs. It could have been worse, It could have happened in the middle of the crazy season

I almost picked up a Honda until Dave warned me about it

Thanks for the advice! The problem with retro fitting a kohler is that the machine will need modifications as per Masterblend. The motor that is shot had 5,500 hours. Not too bad. I will price out the honda and kohler motors. The Honda has a low oil shut down, it was burning oil for a while. I will have too weigh the options- I am tired of adjusting valves constantly. I will look into the kohler and see how much it will set me back. I will post what I will do, thanks for the advice.

Good luck Diablo she made you a lot of money

I wonder what the modifications would be....don't they run Kohlers now?

Should be just factory parts if they do.

milspec6 wrote:I wonder what the modifications would be....don't they run Kohlers now?

Should be just factory parts if they do.

A lot of times these manufacturers will ask another manufacturer to make them something similar to what they already have with slight adjustments, like prochem did to my pump, there's a similar pump that costs $ 300+ less than the one in prochem machines, that's why you should do your homework but the only thing he doesn't have now is time, the longer he's down, the more $$ he loses, sorry diablo.

That's a great point, Dp, time is never on your side.

I will check on my El Diablo runner and see what I can find out. I think it is working right now a few towns over, but I will try.

Is their a resource for that original motor?

http://lexington.craigslist.org/for/4922883966.html

I don't know if it is the correct serial number or configuration (I think there were 4 types), but it might be helpful instead of trying to modify for a new motor.

Okay, here is what I found out.

The new kohler engines in that El Diablo will not be a bolt-in deal. You need the adapter kit from Masterblend and I think the exhaust manifold will need to be changed as well. I don't see it being worth all that expense.....and time.

If you have a guy local that can rebuild it, the parts do seem to be out there yet. The only downside is that he might find a cracked block or warped heads that you can't replace. Then you would be out even more money and time.

I would seriously try that one in Kentucky and see if it matches...not the cheapest probably, but the fastest option and then you are back in business for another 2000+ hours.

Hang in there, 2000 hours from now and you will not even remember this day.

small Hp honda engines are really good like anything up to 5-7hp

Their line of engines in the 20HP range are terrible for some reason, dont ask me why... its honda after all

Their motorcycle engines are super reliable and great cbrs etc, and their really small engines for lawn mowers are also really bullet proof but the inbetween which is what we use for TMs just suck

I would get a briggs or kohler...

harbor freight engines are a great idea if your TM comes apart super easy, like just bolt on bolt off but if you cant grab one from HF and pop it in under an hr or so with your TM then I would get something a little better and spend more. Terje's TMs work great for this because it doesnt take any time to swap it and you get a warranty from HF, from what I have heard the predators easily outlast the warranty 3yrs on a TM

Against all advice going to try the harbor freight engine, came back in to stock on Monday morning, direct bolt in, exhaust manifold may even work, w/ discount and tax $600.00, even includes muffler. Heard good things about these clones, supposedly tighter clearances than Honda. We'll see. Someone has to take the leap......
Oh yeah, $6.99 for shipping.

Direct bolt-in?

Hell yes, that is worth a try. Keep us posted, lots of El Diablo units out there watching.

Ordered this motor on Monday, was supposed to get an email about delivery times. Called them yesterday morning. "you weil be appy to learn that your predtoor vtwin engine 670cc wll be deelivered tomorrowwww". said the voice from Mumbai. 3 day shipping for $6.99. I'll take that all day long. We'll se what actually transpires. Supposedly coming fedex ground.

How many poinies on that Predator

Rated @ 22hp, the original Honda gx670 was rated @ 24hp. As far as I can tell that is because they rated it at it's top useable rpm. I have the Honda out. So far it looks like it will bolt right in. Shaft is in the same spot, bolt pattern is the same, exhaust will need so modifications, nothing serious. Fingers crossed for tommorrow. Was able to lift the Honda motor right out once I removed the water tank that rides over the wheel well. Did not have to unbolt the TM. Will post pics and video if succesful.

Show us the pics!!

Almost done: I will outline some steps here so someone doing a search can find his info.
1. Was able to lift the old motor out and the new one in no problem, 100 lbs. is not a heavy as I thought, used hoist to get new motor out of the box, really not necessary.
2. Predator bolted right in, same mounting pattern. Needed to change Martin 8S 1 1/8" coupler to a Martin 8S 1"  coupler, cost all of $13 on amazon prime, replaced rubber coupler sleeve as well ($35, Martin 8 JEMS).
3. Used the stock exhaust manifold/pipes, needed to cut them on an angle and splice with 2- 1 1/4 muffler brackets (NAPA) and a Fosters ale can. Will order small section of 1 1/8" ID exhaust flex tube from EBAY,
4. Removed the following wiring:  Engine diode stop, waste tank overfill stop, oil pressure sending unit, low oil cut off, waste tank pump out. New motor is wired with it's own control panel and has low oil shutdown. I did not want to start splicing wires on this new motor. I will install a switch for the auxiliary fuel pump in the spot where the old ignition went, I have run the gauge power wire through the pump switch. ran these wires right to the bolt where the battery hooks up to the starter. Simplified the whole thing. Will have to figure out what to do with waste tank shut off. Ideas? Before it was a cluster of wires- made me crazy.
5.Flex coupler lined up perfectly, WOW
6.Had to cut a section of the frame upright on the right side to make room for the control panel which contains the key ignition, choke, throttle and the circuit reset button
7. I hope this engine lives up to it's reputation, it had some decent reviews, I will keep everybody posted, I took a risk, but what the heck, somebody had to. Pics and video to follow.

I think I figured out how to have the power to the pump clutch, gauge power and the aux fuel pump switched. There is a spade terminal next to the battery attachment bolt on the starter motor. This is the 12v accessory connection. I will make a small wiring harness and will update this post if successful.

Good job D.  I told you didn't need a crane for the motor. I would definitely need to change the exhaust. Thanks for posting this

Nice job elD!

Looks good, I think you made the right choice. I dont see that predator failing in under 3-4yrs or several thousand hrs, I bet it will surprise you and go a long time

ACpower1 wrote:Looks good,  I think you made the right choice.      I dont see that predator failing in under 3-4yrs or several thousand hrs,   I bet it will surprise you and go a long time

I hope so. Aside of having to cut a little of the frame away for the motor controls, it was a direct bolt in. Still waiting to hear from harbor freight about which oil filter to use. It came w/ a Chinese brand that I can not cross reference. I have them contacting the factory in Chengden, China to find out which one will work. Looks like a briggs or kohler filter and not the Honda that the GX670 used. If they can't get me an equivalent I will bring it to NAPA, they claim to be able to cross reference any filter, we'll see