5hp Briggs for $30.00

[j.concepcion54321]

Hey i got an offer on a nearly new briggs that runs but the crankshaft is bent. he says that it can be straightened out with some heat, a hammer, and a level. hes asking 30 bucks. i think its a good deal but i figured id post it up here and see what you guys think. should i take it or leave it.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I wouldn't count on being able to beat the crank back into reality. Maybe a replacement can be had reasonably-priced on EvilBay or somewhere?

 

[Russ2251]

Don't do it.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

If you can get a crankshaft for a good price then maybe. Talk him down to 20 and say that its pretty shot to him. You cant bend that crankshaft back without serious tools. Lets face it, youll never get it bent perfecly back. A little wobble will bend it back again...

If the crank was bent i wold check for knocks or anythig while it runs. If it sounds nice and smooth, get it for 20 and look for a new crankshaft.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Even 30 buks is worth it in parts.

 

[The Mechtician]

Hey i got an offer on a nearly new briggs that runs but the crankshaft is bent. he says that it can be straightened out with some heat, a hammer, and a level.

The way I see it, you have two options:
1) buy a replacement crankshaft and have a "nearly new" engine for $30 + the price of a crank
2) straighten the bent crank

If you choose option #2, be it known that there are right ways and wrong ways to straighten things. The right way is to use a press & a lathe or v-blocks with a dial indicator to check runout. The wrong way is to use heat and a hammer and an imprecise/inaccurate measuring tool like a level. I know it's just a little 5hp engine and not the eiffel tower, but for something like a crankshaft that will be spinning up to several thousand rpm, even a small inconsistency will cause you no end of problems.

Personally, for $30 I'd take it. With a minimal investment (of either time or money) you'll have a good running engine Good luck!

 

[j.concepcion54321]

ok thanks for the replies, he still hasnt sent me the photos yet. depending on how badly its bent ill ask him to lower the price. but i think im gonna go for it.

how complicated is it too change the crank shaft??

 

[jrmints1415]

about 30-40 bucks

 

[The Mechtician]

how complicated is it too change the crank shaft??

If you have the manual dexterity of a hoofed animal and the correct size wrenches & sockets, you can probably handle it

 

[j.concepcion54321]

If you have the manual dexterity of a hoofed animal and the correct size wrenches & sockets, you can probably handle it

man guesss i cant do it then.

i got him down to 15 bucks and im going to go pick it up later today. ill post some pics of it when i get it home later

 

[j.concepcion54321]

hey guys i got it home yesterday and i have some pics of it. I was happy to see that it runs. its model # 130212

 

[j.concepcion54321]

heres the link to the album with the pics.

http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb429/theconcept9596/

 

[r_chez_08]

good deal for $15! how bad is the crankshaft? i cant tell form the pics.

 

[j.concepcion54321]

it doesnt look to bad in the pics but it wobbles more when it runs. i might be able to get a video up so you can see. i was thinking of applying heat and bumping it back into place but i think it has a bearing on the shaft so im not sure if the heat would be bad for the bearing. does anyone know what the size of the shaft is on this engine im trying to find a clutch for it??

 

[j.concepcion54321]

heres the video. you can tell the condition in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20PhZyEIKpg

 

[The Mechtician]

it doesnt look to bad in the pics but it wobbles more when it runs. i might be able to get a video up so you can see. i was thinking of applying heat and bumping it back into place but i think it has a bearing on the shaft so im not sure if the heat would be bad for the bearing. does anyone know what the size of the shaft is on this engine im trying to find a clutch for it??

Do not use heat, especially while the crank is still installed in the engine.

It's bent quite badly, judging by the video probably 1/8" out in total. A machine shop can easily bend it back for you.

 

[j.concepcion54321]

if a machine shop were to fix it up theyd probably try to use heat. would i just tell them not to??

anything on a clutch for this engine?

 

[r_chez_08]

Yeah you can see thats quite bad now. I would get a new crank, because it may be about the same price as the machine shop, and more likely to have less problems.

 

[The Mechtician]

if a machine shop were to fix it up theyd probably try to use heat. would i just tell them not to??

anything on a clutch for this engine?

What makes you think they'd use heat? They'd probably use a hydraulic press or a big arbor press to push it straight, then chuck it up in the lathe and check it for runout. No machinist worth his salt would use a torch to straighten a crank.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

3/4 shaft. 3/4 clutch. ebay it. i got one for $20 a couple weeks ago on ebay.

double check if its not 5/8 but i doubt it is.