Ariens ST724 Re-power with Predator 212

This Ariens ST724 snow thrower from 1980 gets re-powered with a Predator 6.5HP engine.
johndeere214.com/

[@yalerich7417]

Nice vid, yes I got lucky on my Ariens classic 24, the predator replacement motor bolted right-up, didn't even need the shaft adapter!

[@RealManSkills]

Nice!

[@mountaincat2001]

And watching my second video on this .ty for your time.

[@RealManSkills]

Thanks for watching!

[@mountaincat2001]

I am currently running the same problem I have a snapper with the same setup what I did on mine is that I took the bottom mounting plate off the bottom to come see and actually bought another one off of eBay so what I'm going to do is sandwich them together take the the plate off the bottom of the Tecumseh and mount it on on the snow blower itself then take the other one and then flip it over and attach that it attached to the 4 volts in the middle of the plate and that's why I figure out a sandwich and turn around and flip it around and I'll have to figure out the the slack made by the belt the belts cuz it's going to be higher because of that

[@paladin252]

I swapped the engine on my 1968 ariens. Didn’t need to get the sleeve. Runs perfectly. Best thing I ever did for that thing.

[@RealManSkills]

New engine gives new life! Thanks for watching!

[@PaganWizard]

I would have used some anti-seize on the shaft of the Predator engine before installing that adapter, and then again on the outside of the adapter before installing the pulley. If you ever have to remove that adapter, it's going to be a big PITA

[@CDOutdoors77]

I have the exact same Ariens and did the same replacement 2 years ago. The only thing I did differently was threw away the original double pulley and bought 2 single pulley’s at tractor supply. Works perfectly.

[@RealManSkills]

Thanks for watching!

[@DANNYN224]

sblg43 can this swap work on an ariens st2+2 and what kind of components i need to do the swap . Also can you find carburetors for these predator engines

[@zmuse]

I am about to do the same swap but because the rod let go.... unfortunately it's dual shaft tecumseh 7.0 so it will be a little more involved. But your video gives me faith that it's a good replacement. I was looking at the predator 301 too but it's double the price. I'll be going with the 212 and likely flip the transmission. Thanks for the video!

[@RealManSkills]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching!

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

The 212 has more than enough power. The 212 runs at 4500 rpm max. At that speed its like running a 10hp, I have it powering a monster 32 wide and I have more than enough power. If you used a larger engine than the 212 it would be heavier and the 301 would start wearing down the machine. As it is I snap roll pins that hold the differential locking hub in place now with the 212. The 301 forget it, the engine would shake the machine to pieces.I use my machine commercially 3 years, no issues 4500 rpm. A dual shaft pulley will fit on the 212 fine. The 301 has a wider shaft, so had you used the 301 you would have had to get a pulley large enough to slide on the larger pulley. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHKTmHdohJycf6c

[@jackfrosty79ify]

Mine blow up last year.

[@franklucas6441]

Thanks for post - I blew up my 724 last winter and have been looking for an inexpensive replacement, could not figure out shaft till now

[@RealManSkills]

Happy to help. Thanks for watching!

[@jackfrosty79ify]

What if my pulley has a key in it will still work

[@RealManSkills]

If the keyway and the key are the same size, I don't see why not. Let me know.

[@michaelfoort2592]

Seems sad that just when fossil fueled engines can't get any better they are almost over

[@kartboarder22g17]

I was planning on buying a new blower once my Techumseh finally bites the dust, but then i started to think about that more and a new blower is like $1100 before tax for a Delux 24" and a HF motor is like $99. This is a no brainer, I'll just buy a new motor and do this. Thanks for the help. By the way my techumseh runs great, just I know based on how old it is that one day it will throw a rod. I finally switched to Amsoil sythetic this year from conventional and wish I had done that earlier it seems to run even better when the snow gets heavy running through it.

[@RealManSkills]

Thanks for watching!

[@CraigArndt]

Hope you saved that old Tecumseh, they have loads of parts available and they will run forever. I have an 8 hp that is from the 70s that I need to rebuild. I do like working on those Tecumsehs they are good motors. Looks like the fit up worked good.

[@scottsoucek2621]

I still have it around. I get a lot of snow throwers given to me from people who just want "junk" gone. More often than not, I get yet another Tecumseh engine to rebuild or use as parts. Thanks for watching.

[@norge696]

@@scottsoucek2621 why the hell are you replying with a different youtube account?

[@RealManSkills]

@@norge696 My gmail account is under my name but my youtube channel is "Real Man Skills". If I respond through the gmail, it shows my name and not my channel . Sorry.

[@tonybonitz5644]

Where did you get that shaft sleeve adapter Thanks, Tony.

[@RealManSkills]

Ebay

[@Pocketraisins]

Great video by the way. Did anyone else notice the pulley at the end seeming to speed up and slow down as if the key was stripped/broken? I chalked it up to optical illusion, but it didn't seem like it. I've got my predator today and with luck it will be operable (minus new tires which are coming up Friday if all goes well).

[@RealManSkills]

Thanks for watching! It's been awhile since I've had this machine around but the speed up and down issue may have been from the engine hunting while it was on low throttle. Don't know for sure. But I can tell you that the guy who has that unit says it starts on the first or second pull every season and runs like a champ.

[@Pocketraisins]

@@RealManSkills I'm currently redoing my ST824 with the Predator engine. Your thrower has the exact same parts as mine sans the 8hp engine so following your recipe. Going to save the 8hp Tecumseh for later. I thing it needs a valve job. Loses power after 5 minutes and sparks out of the exhaust.

[@scottsoucek2621]

@@Pocketraisins I forgot to mention in the video that I ended up putting a larger jet in the carburetor. It worked better in cold weather that way. I don't remember the details but on ebay, it was called an "adjustable high speed jet for a Predator engine". It also came with the larger jet.

[@Pocketraisins]

@@scottsoucek2621 I can't find the adjustable jet kits for it anymore, anywhere. Do you think just a larger jet will help? I thought about making my own but don't want to chance it on a new engine.

[@scottsoucek2621]

@@Pocketraisins I couldn't find them either. However, larger jets are available. There are sets with 5 different sizes available.

[@giberish9]

Nice video. Might be getting a st724 I just found on marketplace with blown engine. Contemplating the same swap, but I'll research carb mods. Did a predator swap on a early 70s Montgomery wards couple years ago. Ran tons better than the 5hp briggs, but needed choke for the first 5 minutes. Afterwards it didnt surge much, but felt it was still a tad lean for the cold.

[@RealManSkills]

I did end up putting different jets in the carb on this one. Thanks for watching.

[@skiprope536]

Fabulous. TY!

[@RealManSkills]

Thanks for watching!

[@jakerathbun3331]

Nice video. I have an ST824 given to me by a neighbor with a blown engine and I'm in the process of swapping the engine. Do you know how I can identify the year of the blower? Thanks

[@RealManSkills]

It may be easier to identify the year of the engine. Is it a "Tecumseh" engine or a "Briggs and Stratton". I think that you could also email Ariens with the model and serial of you machine and they will let you know when it was manufactured. For more help, visit www.snowblowerforum.com and browse around there.

[@vanalstyne9834]

I put a 212 on my 1970 Troybilt Horse 1 tiller last spring. First pull all summer. Just fired it up last week (New Years Day) and, after complaining because it was 15 degrees outside, she ran. I worked it hard all summer. After your break-in, dump the oil. I had enough metal in it to be glad I did. Is there a reason you got rid of the filter? Yes, snowblowers usually don't have them, but it will only protect the engine better.

[@RealManSkills]

The reason snow thrower engines don't have air filters, is because there is no dust in the winter (at least not here in Wisconsin). I removed the air filter because it may restrict air flow if the filter gets damp and freezes. I ran the engine for three hours and then changed the oil right away. It didn't look bad but I changed it anyway. Thanks for watching.

[@dopey071282]

Good video! Has anyone done this on a 90’s? Mine the chute bar to turn it mounts to the top of the motor. Does anyone know if I will be able to mount to a predator motor?

[@mikepallotta3939]

Very nice

[@RealManSkills]

Thanks for watching!

[@skirtdevil]

Great video!!!!!,,,,,,work very well

[@RealManSkills]

Unfortunately, I don't have any good snow to try it with yet. I expect the "overhead valve" of the new engine will have more power than the old engine. Thanks for watching.

[@norge696]

How has this worked out for you? Do you still use this blower?

[@RealManSkills]

I did end up putting a larger jet in the carburetor. A relative has it now and says it starts and runs great every winter so far. Thanks for watching.

[@shannoncox3705]

My Ariens Sno-Tho is a model 922003, what is your model number? Mine had a Tecumseh 5 hp with an additional drive pulley that ran off the cam shaft to operate the drive wheels. any ideas how to make it work?

[@RealManSkills]

Sorry, but I no longer have that Ariens, so I can't lookup the model number. Can't help with the reverse pulley thing either. I would have to have one in front of me.

[@koprnotify888]

Thanks for the video, I am about to undertake the exact same project. I was wondering how long of 5/16" bolts did you need to use to mount the new motor to the snow blower base? Thanks!

[@RealManSkills]

Sorry but I can't remember. This snowblower is long gone. I sold it to a family member who says that it works great.

[@michaelliberty6517]

I believe they were 5/16-18 bolts one and a half inches long

[@wosko44]

When you purchased the 1" sleeve for the output shaft, where did you find it on Ebay? What was the search query?

[@scottsoucek2621]

"3/4 to 1" shaft adapter". I just did a search and a lot came up. Thanks for watching!

[@Zml-fx5zp]

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I have a video on this and never completed it I faced the same problems and wasn't sure what I needed for the pulley. Awesome finally going to finish mine! How does it run thanks again!!!

[@RealManSkills]

I have to admit that I haven't seen it blow snow yet. My dad took it home and said that it works well but I haven't actually seen it in person. Now the snow is gone. Thanks for watching and have fun getting yours going.

[@X6800]

Can the electric starter from the old engine be added to these? I'm considering replacing my snow blower engine with one of these, but I notice people don't try to add the starters to them. So impossible?

[@RealManSkills]

Not possible to use the same starter. To the best of my knowledge, there is no starter available for the Predator 212 engines. Thanks for asking.

[@Pocketraisins]

These predators are sooooo easy to start I don't think you would ever need one though.

[@250r4trax]

I see you took out the air filter. Mine stalls after a little bit, I’m wondering if it because it’s cold. (Starts back up after a couple minutes) I will pull the air filter. Do you think rejetting will help to?

[@RealManSkills]

I think that I did re-jet mine and I completely forgot to mention it in the video. Sorry about that. Thanks for watching.

[@williamroberts4913]

I am doing this now but had problem pulling back belt off, and now trying to put this belt back on. Your video shows lots of play on that back belt, but my belt is real snug when it is on the rear pulley. I did remove the rear tensioner pulley so that is not adding anything to the belt. What is the trick to get this belt back on? Thanks for great video. Any help is appreciated. october 15, 2018 and snow is coming soon in Cleveland, Ohio!!

[@RealManSkills]

I don't remember this particular project being difficult, but other times, I have had to install the belts onto the pulley before sliding it onto the shaft. Hope you figure it out. Thanks for watching.

[@raymondj8768]

how did this work out does it have enough power????

[@RealManSkills]

My wife's uncle has been using it for the last two winters. He loves it but I haven't used it myself.

[@mowerman7629]

I subscribed to your channel

[@RealManSkills]

Thank you

[@tinhinnh]

seems like everybody is using Predator’s

[@brandonnicholls6095]

They work and work well and they are cheap.

[@tinhinnh]

Brandon Nicholls cheap is the key one lol

[@GNX157]

Where is it said that snowblower engines don't need an air filter? Lemme guess, because the air is cold there's no dirt in it?

[@RealManSkills]

Winter engines found on snow throwers, don't have air filters. There is not enough dust in the air to warrant an air filter. In fact, an air filter may get damp or wet and freeze - which in turn will restrict the air intake and cause the engine to stall or at least run roughly. Thanks for watching.

[@GNX157]

My Ariens snow blower has an air filter...

[@RealManSkills]

I would like to know what model that is. I frequent a small engine repair shop that sells Ariens - I will ask them if they have any air filtered snow throwers. Thanks for letting me know.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

They don't. Never did never will

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Really with what engine. Are we taking the 10,000 series or the 924,000 series that took lawnmower attachments in the summer after taking the bucket off. Because than yes your Tecumseh H70 does have the air filter for summer use, after you remove the carburetor heater box for winter use. You don not run an engine with an air filter in the winter. Tecumseh Horizontal line engines are actually all season engine's. The carb heater cover box comes off and an air filter can be added in its place. 1962-2008. But you do not use it with an air filter in the summer.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

The engine must have been built in 1979 for the 1980 model year as that is the only place on that machine that has a date code, because that's a 1980 and later Ariens Sno-Thro. 1979 and back were orange and white. 1980 and on they were Orange and black. 1stclass.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/ariens/Page7.html The predator 212cc is more powerful than the H70 7hp but it's not as powerful as a Tecumseh HM80 medium frame 8 horsepower engine. You would have to get the 301cc predator too overpower the Tecumseh hm80. What exactly was wrong with the Tecumseh engine that prompted you to remove it and add a predator, other than the fact a 7hp L head is really not powerful enough for a machine that size? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHKTmHdohJycf6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHaVi6GEqLumaaM

[@RealManSkills]

I removed the Tecumseh engine because there was no spark and I know it had to do with the points and condenser. I just didn't feel like dealing with the points and condenser at this time. Also, I was looking for an opportunity to repower something with a predator engine. When I have more time, I am going to convert the ignition on the tecumseh and use it elsewhere or put it back on the Ariens.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

You could convert it with the Nova II. I have one, haven't used it yet. Or you could just put new points and a condenser on the old magneto, I have a few working magneto's laying around, so I would just throw another one on real fast. Unfortunately you cant switch a Tecumseh to electronic ignition with its own coil like a lot of the Briggs, the Tecumseh does not have mounts for a coil above the flywheel on the pre electronic ignition engine's and the magnets are all on the inside on those older engine's flywheel. So the only choice is Nova II or replace the points. I would just replace the points and condenser and call it a day. The engine on my 32 Ariens was a 7hp, a little under powered so that's why I went ahead and stuck the predator on. For my 24 Ariens the H70, 7HP is more than enough. My 46 year old 1971 Ariens Sno-Thro has no issues. Never had a problem with the points and condenser on that engine. That engine is burning oil and drinking it as fast as gas now because their is a score in the cylinder bore, but hey its 46. When it dies, I'll stick a predator on their as well, or I have a spare block, pistons and rings and may just rebuild it, because that H70 works fantastic. But if a Snowblower has an HM80 which is 318cc I leave it because they are actually bigger and more powerful than most engines they use now, new. Your average snowblower is 28 wide with a 249cc engine now, they have been down playing the power of the engines on the new units. I don't like it. The older machines with the 8hp and up were a lot tougher than what they are coming out with now. Older is better when it comes to this stuff. I really like the 70's 924,000 Ariens built, but I have the 10000 series and their great, plus I switch my snowblower to a lawnmower because its part of the old school trac team line, which is very cool. The rotary mower works amazing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHKTmHdohJycf6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4CxcoCdpZurosU kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpTWmXVrg7mmhLM

[@webchez69]

What do yo mean that snowblowers do not have air filters???? You will kill that engine if you do not use an air filter...

[@RealManSkills]

I challenge you to find a snow blower with an air filter on it from the factory. I'll wait while you get back to me on that. Thanks for watching.

[@josefshaker5596]

I'm sure you are still waiting!!

[@mcqueenfanman]

I did this awhile back, Predators are good engines. You really need to rejet it (richer) or run the air intake so it draws warm air over the exhaust. Mine surged on really cold mornings till I did.

[@RealManSkills]

Yes, after I posted this video, I re-jetted the carb. Thanks for mentioning that.

[@northidahoguy5549]

sblg43 what jets did you use? I’m considering putting one of the predator engines on an old John Deere snowblower I have.

[@RealManSkills]

It's been awhile but I tracked down my ebay purchase - it was an "Adjustable High Speed Needle Assembly For Predator Engine". It came with a brass jet as well but I can't remember what size.

[@northidahoguy5549]

sblg43 thanks!