Greyhound engines from Harbor Freight.

[Windy in Kansas]

For some time now I have been reading about the Greyhound engine, aka Honda clone engines that Harbor Freight sells.

It seems that opinions are rarely on middle ground and those offered tell that the engines are pure junk and failed within minutes; few such comments, and the many that tell of them being fantastic engines but one would be wise to purchase the two year walk in exchange warranty.

From further reading I have learned that Honda parts interchange perfectly with these clone engines.

The engines can withstand extreme limits when all caution is thrown to the wind and they are used as racing engines. Even go-kart leagues have special classes set up for the clone engines.

Bottom line, they seem to be a great value for the money and you either get an excellent engine or a junk one from the start. With the exchange warranty you get an excellent replacement simply for the asking if you do get a junk one.

Now as to the intent of the post---it is to inform you of an upcoming sale for the 6.5 horsepower rated ones. http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...pe=RET&simple=

At $89 +cost of the extended exchange warranty can a person really go wrong if they are wiling to purchase foreign made product?

HJ, there is your wheelbarrow motor. lol

[geo in mi]

Is there an adoption program for the ons that break?

I thought you were building your own bus...

.....Alan.

[Jolly]

Jokes aside, at that price, definitely worth buying...even if you set them up on the barn shelf...

[HermitJohn]

I bought a 5.5hp one four or five years ago for $100 from that travelling tool show which was cheap back then. Finally got around to using it this past year. I have no complaints. Smooth running and quiet as a genuine Honda. The tin is cheaper quality. From what I've heard of these, the big difference is bearings and crankshaft quality and that varies greatly, not all clones are equal, some nearly the equal of genuine Honda, others much lesser quality. But even if it only lasts half as long as a genuine Honda, still good deal. Starts easy and runs lot smoother than any older Briggs or Tecumseh.

[PyroDon]

Ive got two on air compressors that are out in the weather all the time , other than checking the oil once a week and filling the gas they are still going strong .
of course the two year carry in exchange is about up so they may go boom at any moment .
Been saving my dimes to get a 13 hp with electric start to replace a dead engine on an old JD 110 yard tractor

[texican]

Originally Posted by PyroDon

Ive got two on air compressors that are out in the weather all the time , other than checking the oil once a week and filling the gas they are still going strong .
of course the two year carry in exchange is about up so they may go boom at any moment .
Been saving my dimes to get a 13 hp with electric start to replace a dead engine on an old JD 110 yard tractor

Sounds like it's time for a 'stress test'!

If they only made small diesel engines at close to this price...

[Windy in Kansas]

Deleted, photo did not display.

[rambler]

Is the EPA outlawing this type of engine in a year or 2? Anything new will need a CAT converter. Run much hotter, and cost much more?

Might be a time to stock up on good small engine items until then, so ya don't have to be the guinea pig with the new models.

--->Paul

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by rambler

Is the EPA outlawing this type of engine in a year or 2? Anything new will need a CAT converter. Run much hotter, and cost much more?

I don't know about that, but Harbor Freight does offer a EPA/CARB model and a straight EPA model. The CARB referring to the California Air Resources Board.

The forums I read indicated that the CARB models do not have a choke in them so have more fuel issues.

The 4 horsepower vertical shaft engine is on closeout at $99.

I noticed a blue small engine on the Atwoods site yesterday that appears to be a Greyhound engine. Looks like they might be carrying the line as well now. Wonder if Tractor Supply and others will soon carry them too?

[Ross]

I've got a 6.5 "Chonda" on a plate tamper. Not a huge number of hours (couple hundred) on it but not a happy job for any engine either.

[travis91]

ive always heard them called clondas. i dont mind doing business at the harbor freight. the employees are very nice and knowledgeable at the local store.

[Windy in Kansas]

I have two Harbor Freight stores within about an hour driving time. The one in Wichita has okay employees and they seem to be getting better ones all of the time. What I dislike is that many, many items do not have the price marked on them.

They also no longer honor the prices that are posted on the Net.

The store in Salina is a newer store and the last time I was there they had all of the prices in place but it didn't seem as fully stocked as the Wichita store. Nice employees.

I nearly always buy a tool or two at either store as I only get there a couple of times a year. I consider the tools I buy as one or two times of use tools, i.e expendable rather than a tool costing many many times the price. I'm certainly wiling to pay for quality IF it will be something that I'll use fairly often.

I currently have use for one of the engines so will get one the next time I get to one of the stores.