I rebuilt this machine a few years back, used it for two seasons and then sold it only to upgrade to an HS1332, here is a comprehensive list of all the work/mods done to it.
Engine
After I got done servicing and sprucing the GX160 i.e. rebuilt the carb, change the valve cover gasket, changed the oil, changed the plug did the valve adjustment, I came across the GX270 (honda 9 hp motor) that was calling my name. So picked that up to be used for the new project.
GX270 was given the full overhaul to say the least. I wanted to do the job once and do it right, motor was strong to begin with, pulled a 95 psi when I did the compression test and that number is suppose to be in the 80~120 mark.
I am no mechanic but love getting my hands dirty so this was a learning experience which I thoroughly enjoyed.
- Changed the crankcase cover gasket.
- Changed the drive shaft seal.
- Honed/deglazed cylinder walls.
- Changed the piston rings.
- There are no seals around the valve guides, I noticed a bit play in the guide and a bit of carbon build up around the guide, decided to change them both. So, the valve guides, valve springs, valves and valve retainers were changed.
- Noticed some bad casting marks in the exhaust and intake port. Ported and polished both ports.
- Seated the head with the old valves before installing the new ones.
- Rebuilt the carb.
- Changed the spark plug and valve cover gasket.
- Changed the head gasket as I noticed some blow by around the exhaust side.
- Exhaust gaskets were replaced, exhaust and exhaust shields were painted with high heat paint.
- OEM exhaust deflector was installed.
- EZ drain installed on the right side of the engine.
- Drained and changed the oil twice after running the new engine for an hour each time.
- Finally changed the engine oil with Royal Purple.
Transmission
- The hydrostatic transmission was removed from the chassis, all the seals were replaced.
- Even though the Hydrostatic fluid is good for the life of the blower I didnt like how dark it had gotten from the usage. Completely drained it and replaced it with fresh Honda HST fluid.
- Transmission was properly bled per service manual instruction.
- Right transfer case had lost most of its grease over the years, dirt had gotten in as well, I thoroughly washed the parts, checked the bearings, replaced the seal, the grease and installed a fresh gasket as well.
- New auger and drive belts.
Body
- Auger housing was stripped and painted, inside and out.
- Chute was stripped and painted.
- Chassis parts were stripped and painted.
- All the cables were lubricated using cable lube and cable lubing tool.
- The chute control arm was altered a bit to fit around the bigger engine.
- Even though the engine bed is the same for both the HS624 and HS928 the mounting studs are in different location, wider for the GX270 motor. Honda punches 8 holes in the bed and utilizes the pertinent 4 for the motor to be used. I had to cut the old studs and use the other set of 4 holes to mount/weld new studs in order to mount the GX270 onto the chassis.
- Smaller HS624 belt cover was replaced with bigger cover from HS928 model.
- Augers were sand blasted and painted.
- New shear bolts.
- Main bearing around the auger pulley was also replaced.
- Gripo auger housing was installed, made for the HS624 model.
- The tank that came with the GX270 model had a dent on the top which prohibited the cap from making a perfect seal with the tank lip, old tank was discarded and replaced with the re-manufactured GX390 tank.
- Shift and chute lever were disassembled completely, greased and reassembled.
- Factory scraper bar and rear mounted skids were removed, sand blasted, painted, reinstalled and then adjusted to suggested heights.
- Armor skids were installed. The auger housing being used is older style and does not have factory holes for side mounting skids. I drilled two holes for the armor skids, installed a custom made spacer between the auger housing and the new skids. Also, drilled holes in the skids to make room for the scrapper bar bolts.
- Rubber blades were also installed on the main impeller.
Lights
- The GX270 came with the factory headlight and headlight bracket. I replaced it with two 20W cree LEDs mounted to either side of the control cover.
- Installed a hobby box with all the wiring, bridge rectifier and capacitors installed in it on the underside of the control cover.
- Installed an illuminated switch for the LEDs.
1 окт 2024
