suburban 401 replacement engine

[peigt14 19]

I have a little 401 that I bought with a little hs40 Tecumseh engine mounted on it, wasn't running for years when I purchased, spend some of the winter rebuilding carb, new points, new condenser, new coil, etc. etc, it now runs but is difficult to start and runs a little rough, leaking some oil around,  anyways long story short I am looking for something to mount to this so my son can use it while continue to get the hs40 running properly, I tracked down a good running cheap 2.5 hp briggs that looks like it will fit well, exhaust is in good place away from leg, Question is will this be enough power to move him/possibly me around the yard?  If not any suggestions on what works well for these.  I have looked at  few 5 hp Hondas but seem to large, some 3.5 hp Hondas size seemed ok, exhaust seemed good but they were from pump and had a gear reduction.

[WHX?? 50,793]

Might be worth while to check out the Predator engines at Harbor Freight. They are almost giving tthem away and might be what you need. A few guys here fitted them up with little to no problems. Older Clintons would fit right in a 401 too, lots of those around but you would want to be careful as to what shape they'e in.  A strong  2 1/2 hp would move it around but not much in reserve for serious work.

[stevasaurus 23,090]

That 2.5 Briggs should be enough to just ride that horse around the yard.    The RJs and Suburbans used 3.5 and 4 hsp Kohlers, and 3.6 hsp Clintons.

[peigt14 19]

OK, actually in PEI Canada, no Harbor Freight here, we do have Princess auto that carry powerfist overseas Honda clones that are pretty cheap when they are on sale. 

 

the most that will be done with it will be hauling a small trailer with some topsoil or something,

[ACman 7,630]

I got lucky and found a k91 for my RJ on CL . I just typed in kohler engine and searched all for sale . These engines come on all types of equipment so good luck . And as mentioned above the HF 2.5 hp is a easy fit and you can get it on sale for under $100 (maybe a mail order). You could do a reporwer for now without hacking things up .  Then you could keep  an eye out for that right engine to come along .

Edited May 20, 2016 by ACman

[WHX?? 50,793]

2 minutes ago, ACman said:

You could do a reporwer for now without hacking things up .  Then you could keep  an eye out for that right engine to come along .

or get the Tecky working if your attached to it.

Thats what I was thinking PEI. I hate to see guys hack up a perfectly good frame. Yes that Honda clone is about the same as the predators or power house or horse or whatever name they go by. All the same cheap Chinese motors but for the price you can't complain if you get a season or three out of them. The 2.5 would be ok for hauling that topsoil around if you stick to the lower gears.

[peigt14 19]

sounds good, it would just be a replacement until I can get the hs40 running and starting well, its fits really well and the plan is to eventually have it back on there.

[ACman 7,630]

The 2.5 HF base bolts right in with no mods on my RJ , check out @jb4249 post RJ58 with predator engine belt guard .

[peigt14 19]

got lucky and found a newer 5 hp briggs, little tighter then the hs40 but bolted right in, had to cut a small notch in the backside of the hood as it was sitting right on the plug wire but other then that pretty happy,  One more quick question what is the size and thread of the 4 bolt holes around the shaft?  I have to work get something worked out to disengage the belt with