I have had that same model blower that I bought new in late 70's or early 80's and the thing just keeps on trucking. It is in my shop now getting it's auger drive rebuilt with new bushings, seals and woodruff keys. I am a retired machinist with the ability and the milling machine with divider head to fab new gears from bronze instead of the original aluminum. I will state categorically this generation of MTD built blowers are far better built than the newer junk out there as I've had to repair literally every other blower on the street for neighbours over the years while that beast just keeps moving snow.
