Repower MTD tiller with Honda GC190

[FergusonTO35]

So I have an old MTD front tine tiller in excellent shape except the carb took a crap and only barely runs on choke now. Put a kit into it to no avail. I freely admit I am terrible at rebuilding carbs and this one is NLA. I found a nice running Honda GC190 on Fleabay that I think will work. It has a 3/4" shaft whereas the old one was 5/8", so will need a new pulley. This engine has a fixed throttle so probably 3600 rpm or so. Would it be a good choice for my tiller?

 

[redneckhillbilly]

not sure how soft your soil is, but a fixed throttle could get pretty hard to hold onto, I have some pretty rocky soil and my first few passes I idle my motor all the way down to make it more managable on myself and the shear pins.

honda OPE motors are the cats meow though, they seem to last forever I definatley would spend the coin for a honda upgrade.

 

[stretch5881]

I had put a Honda on my dad's front tine. In soft soil, 2500 was about right.

 

[FergusonTO35]

This tiller really needs the full 3600 so I suspect the fixed throttle will be fine. I have awhile to think about it anyway.

 

[stretch5881]

If it's too fast, you can adjust the rpm lower.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I have time to think about it. I have no money for a new engine right now, but do have another tiller I can use. Gotta have backups!

 

[Shane¹]

Does the side the exhaust comes out matter? Would a gx200 motor work? Also I am not too far away if you wanted I could take a crack at rebuilding that mtd carb for you

 

[Seachaser]

I replaced mine with a Harbor Freight motor. Easier to crank and more power. I think I gave $99 for the motor about five years ago.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Does the side the exhaust comes out matter? Would a gx200 motor work? Also I am not too far away if you wanted I could take a crack at rebuilding that mtd carb for you

Only thing that matters is that the PTO comes out on the left side. I appreciate the offer of help! I've put the tiller back in the shed for the time being but will definitely hit you up on that.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I replaced mine with a Harbor Freight motor. Easier to crank and more power. I think I gave $99 for the motor about five years ago.

I'm embarrassed to say the Chicom Tecumseh copies are a lot better than the real ones.

 

[Steve]

I replaced mine with a Harbor Freight motor. Easier to crank and more power. I think I gave $99 for the motor about five years ago.

I would totally go this route. I've done that with many ope jobs. Every one I've ever installed starts on the first pull and runs great throughout its entire throttle range. Some are approaching the 5 year mark and no problems.

 

[LAWN BOY]

Honda motors are super reliable from my experience.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I have a Honda on my Cub Cadet rear tine and it has been superb.