Ariens ST824 Tecumseh-to-Predator 301cc Engine Swap

The Tecumseh broke a connecting rod due to operator error. I let it rev too high for too long.

The old mounting studs for the Tecumseh were pounded out. New mounting holes were drilled in the engine deck mounting plate. New bolts were inserted up from inside the locomotion transmission bay. A stick welder with 1/16" rod tacked the bolt heads to the underside of the engine deck. There's way too much stuff in that transmission bay to get a MIG gun on the bolt heads and see what you're doing. Stick welding is the only option not requiring complete disassembly of the rolling gear and transmission.

The Predator muffler heat shield interfered with the snow discharge chute. So, the heat shield was removed.

The belt keeper required some custom spacers and different bolts to get its functionality converted over to the Predator engine. Spacers could be hand fabricated with 3/8" galvanized pipe (think natural gas line).

And since the PTO shaft on the Predator is just around an inch higher than the Tecumseh, new belts had to be purchased:

3L360W -- The drive wheel takeoff.
4L420W -- The impeller takeoff.

A 4L415W was ordered off Amazon to see if it will be just a bit tighter and still allow for the necessary slippage once the auger engagement lever is released.

02/08/2021 UPDATE: The 4L415W belt arrived from Amazon. It was too tight and didn't allow for disengagement for the auger when the operator control is released. So, it looks like we're sticking with the 3L360W for the drive wheel takeoff and the 4L420W for the impeller takeoff.

BEFORE THE SNOW SEASON OF 2022 UPDATE: Discovered the "L" belt slipped on large thrower loads (deep regular snow or wet/heavy stuff). Moved up to an AX40 belt for more power transmission due to increased belt/pulley surface area contact for the impeller takeoff.