Engine (to dump or not)

[Con]

I have a Manco 285 with a 8 HP 1" shaft Flathead Briggs & stratton engine plus a very nice Comet 40 torque converter system.
My Beef.
The Briggs Engine is
1/ Noisy
2/Rattles
3/Shakes
4/I adjust the carburettor settings and it will run fine for an hour or two and then its out with the screwdriver to readjust the screw settings all over again. I have done this many times and it is getting old.
Recently I got a coupon from Harbor Freight (expires 12/31/11) which says I can buy a 13 Hp Predator engine For $259.99 ,not sure if the 20% off will work with this. What would you do ?, providing you had the funds which I am not sure I have as of yet or more to the point if I can get it by the Misses.
Let me know what you think.
Thank
Con

 

[Bluethunder3320]

your comet 30 probably wont hold up to the 13hp predator. its rated 8hp max.

a 40 series costs around as much as the 13hp predator...


i would rebuild the carb on the 8hp

 

[Con]

your comet 30 probably wont hold up to the 13hp predator. its rated 8hp max.

a 40 series costs around as much as the 13hp predator...


i would rebuild the carb on the 8hp

You must of misread my post it says a comet 40

 

[Bluethunder3320]

ops sorry. in that case the predator will work fine.

IMO, briggs is better, and you can save a lot of money just rebuilding the carb

 

[Con]

ops sorry. in that case the predator will work fine.

IMO, briggs is better, and you can save a lot of money just rebuilding the carb

Thanks for the reply Bluethunder3320, can you or anyone else explain to me or point to a post that would show how to do this for a novice that has not done this before.

 

[r97]

Not sure how much your going to improve upon the shaking, rattling, and noise with the predator. IMO, all of those are the nature of the beast. I would fix the briggs and call it a day, or if you really want to upgrade, get a nice engine. The Subaru below or a Honda if you plan to modify extensively. You could also look for a large briggs or Tecumseh flathead on craigslist.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Robin-Subaru-Engine-9-HP-Free-Shipping-/290645697399?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43abd56377#ht_637wt_952

http://www.robinamerica.com/pfeatures.aspx?pid=10

 

[Bluethunder3320]

this might help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=purZojxLpDQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHE_0CMYYTU