RE: Small engines:

[C-10 simplex]

1) Will a vertical small engine, for example a mower engine, work ok with the shaft horizontal? In other words, the engine is basically now tilted on it's side from it's usual position?

If not that's ok:

2) What are some decent brands of small engines? i'm basically wanting/needing about 5-10 hp, but would like to know about decent brands in general for now.

a) i'm basically concerned where they are made, money is not really a top priority here. If it's made in china or s.e. asian countries, then i would shy away from it---unless you can recommend a decent brand---if such exists? Japan is ok, but for this project, i would prefer made in USA or at least N. america (but not mexico).


3) How would i go about attaching a gilmer type pulley to the shaft?

[63chevyll]

yup, you cant run a vertical engine ( horizontal shaft) on its side

what are you building

[threeonthetree]

1. the oils gonna be right on the piston i dont think they will run like that enless its a 2 cycle
2. brigs and strat or honda are some good brands.

3. not sure man what your asking. ud have to get the right size pulley for the shaft then have some way to clamp it to the shaft. i think most shafts have a notch in them then a bolt on the end of the shaft. and they are usually tapered

[threeonthetree]

they make horizontal shaft small motors
you can get them out of snow blowers

or just buy a brand new one.

[threeonthetree]

Are Briggs & Stratton engines, pressure washers, generators, etc. made in the U.S.?
Over 90% of our engines and products are manufactured in the USA.

The only exception would be the Vanguard horizontal shaft, V-Twin and 3-cylinder liquid cooled engines (All Vanguard vertical shaft single cylinder engines are made in the USA). The Vanguard horizontal shaft and V-twin engines have many of its components made in the USA and are assembled in Japan.

All Vanguard engines are engineered in the USA.

[C-10 simplex]

Originally Posted by 63chevyll

yup, you cant run a vertical engine ( horizontal shaft) on its side

what are you building

i didn't want to spill it for fear of ridicule, but what the heck. Besides, maybe you guys can help.

It may take a few hours/days to get a picture drawn up so as to better describe what i'm trying to do.

Stay tuned.....if you dare.

[C-10 simplex]

Sorry; Project cancelled and put on hold until further notice due to being too busy. Better organizational strategy(i think so at least) means doing maybe 2 things at a time vs. 6 things at a time.

For what it's worth, i was trying to build a swim spa; i was going to use the engine as a propulsion for a propeller. In this case, the "propeller" was the fixed engine fan from a 79 blazer.

i was going to mount a gilmer puller on the shaft of the engine. A 2x3 rectangular metal tube would extend downwards below the engine into the water, say 18" to 24" and a SBC water pump would be attached to this metal tube. Guess what i would attach to the water pump?


Thank you for everyone's concern and perhaps we will speak again in a few months hopefully.

[rwolf9653]

That is actually a pretty good idea. If you get back to it keep us posted.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

i was going to mount a gilmer puller on the shaft of the engine. A 2x3 rectangular metal tube would extend downwards below the engine into the water, say 18" to 24" and a SBC water pump would be attached to this metal tube. Guess what i would attach to the water pump?

Well,

Being in the small engine/ATV/UTV/Watercraft business, I'd venture to say 10hp would never pull that much drag, Especially trying to start the engine with that big fan under water.

I would suggest using a pump outdrive and drive shaft from a blown/wrecked watercraft, With the steering cone the water stream could be directed in different directions. A 20 or 25hp electric start Kohler Command Twin should spin the outdrive pretty well.....

[C-10 simplex]

i was thinking about that very aspect---hp requirements. And i was thinking that yes, 5-10hp would probably not be enough.

[C-10 simplex]

P.S. If anyone is not familiar with what a swimspa is:

http://www.endlesspools.com/endlesspool/index.html

http://www.swimex.com/home/


These are very good products, but i was trying to save a few thousand by trying build my own. The 2 above are anywhere between $11K and 23K. If my idea works i think i could build one for about 3-5K.

i still have not completely ruled out just buying one.

[TugOwar]

Hey, you could drive the pump with a SBC and buy a surf board!

[Restrorob]

^^^^^

[C-10 simplex]

Originally Posted by TugOwar

Hey, you could drive the pump with a SBC and buy a surf board!

i did in fact consider using a sbc for power and still am considering it since it's cheap.

There's a video on 'tube with someone using a kayak with one of these spas. Also, i think the surf machines do exist also.