Powerhorse motors

I am looking at the 12hp 414cc Powerhouse to repower an old lawn tractor a neighbor has sitting in his barn. They only want $414.00 for it and it just seems like an interesting project but the price of the Powerhouse is so low compared to the others I am leery.

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If you do proper maintenance the clones I've had seem to hold up ok. The week point is the metal gas tank. It rusts quickly. And the vertical shaft 5.5hp engines from Harbor Freight have really cheapo plastic flywheel cover/recoil start mechanism. I got couple of the engines with this problem that had been returned under warranty for around $40 each. Mechanically perfect, but one had the rusty gas tank and looked to otherwise only been used slightly, one had the faulty plastic recoil start setup and looked brand spankin new. The covers with the recoil start mechanism werent meant to be repaired but I re-engineered it to make it work. Shame they had to cheap out on some little things like these when the engines themselves are decent enough, maybe not quite Honda quality, but close enough for the big price break you get.

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"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

The fellows on Yesterday's Tractors sure seem to like POR 15 for gas tank use at rust prevention. Coating a brand new tank on an unused engine might be wise.

I have read almost nothing but excellent comments on the Greyhound clone engines. It is my understanding from forum reading that the Greyhound and Honda parts are interchangeable. Might pay to get a flywheel cover from a genuine Honda to use if a plastic one fails. Suppose one could also do that for the fuel tank.

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I read a go kart forum that said there is a racing league nationwide using the Harbor Freight Honda clones. Some even say the crankshaft journals are polished better on the clones. Always buy the 2 year warranty, too. Bring it back if it blows up. Like every other product, you read all the great reviews, then a couple of horrible reviews.

If you get lucky finding USED Honda tank/flywheel cover... The NEW Honda version would cost more than I gave for the engine! Genuine new Honda parts are pricey.

Usually the other way around, people buy clone parts to fix their Honda. Ebay and the online lawn mower parts places tend to stock clone parts cause they are so much cheaper. One guy used the metal flywheel cover from a junked horizontal shaft clone to replace the plastic cover on his vertical shaft clone. Apparently simular enough, that with addition of some washers, it will work.

Tank is connected to carb with fuel line so can use any remote tank or make one from PVC pipe.

Far as I am concerned the clones tend to run as well as a Honda out of box. Quiet smooth running engines, start easy. Not sure they have the longevity of a Honda even if treated nice, havent owned one long enough to know. Course most people buy an OHV Honda, then treat it like their throw away Tecumseh or Briggs so lose lot of lifespan they paid extra for anyway. The OHC Hondas are consumer grade engine and throw away. Run nice enough but wont last like the OHV Hondas. Rather have a clone than an OHC Honda.

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"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman