Millers Falls mower engines

[pault]

my ride on mower is died. briggs & stratton motor. looking at options, looked at B&S, honda.
does anyone know anything about  Millers Falls engines, apperar to be honda clones, other wise known as chonda, cant find anything on net about reliability

[STeveo]

For the price, the Chonda engines will (if looked after) give good service. When they blow you just throw and get another and you will still be ahead than if you bought genuine Honda. I have bought a couple of these and also a 16hp from these blokes with no problems and good service. All engines needed oil and petrol and started on second pull (16hp was elect start). They carry up to 25hp verticles if you need more power.
 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6-5hp-Vertical-Shaft-Lawn-Mower-Engine-Motor-Petrol-4-Stroke-Push-Ride-on-/170896317344?hash=item27ca36dba0:g:V9EAAOSw5cRZHRtK

[pault]

interesting thoughts
thankyou.

[STeveo]

I used the 6.5hp in the link to replace a 7hp Tecumseh on a 30" mower and has been powering along for 12 months. This was $205 to my door. The local Honda dealer wanted $1,100 for the same size and considering that some Honda engines are made in China or Thailand maybe their lasting power is not what the Japan made ones from a few years ago were.
So the sums are that I can fit 5 1/2 Chonda engines for one with a name brand. How does that sit with you?

[pault]

I went ahead and got a millers falls 13hp OHV single to replace a B&S side valve.
fitting had a problem with the keyway in the mower drive stack pulley. while the crankshaft has a 1/4" keyway, the pulley has nothing. Originally there were a row of rectangular punch marks on the tube between the pulleys, These would have protruded into the tube and engaged with the crank for a positive drive. It would seem they they do not last. I have a 1/4 whit worth thread  tap. So I drilled a series of holes along the pulley stack, threaded the 1/4WW and spent a $1 on some grub screws to engage in the slot on the motor crank.. A New pulley is $120. Nice win for once.
Fitting the engine was easy. The mounting holes lined up perfectly. I should mention that mount holes on these engines do not come tapped. The bolts holding the original motor may have a threaded taper on the end. These are self threading bolts. Easy enough to do before motor install.
with belts tight, wiring, oil and petrol, dont forget the throttle cable.
Before running it might pay to check bolts and especially tappets.
Mine were too tight, specs in handbook.
Motor started very easily, ran for 10 min or so and drained oil.
there where some little lumpy bits, new oil and all is good.
This is a victa/murry mower. the new motor will not fit under the bonnet. looks a bit naked without the bonnet, have fitted a bumper of sorts for the trees here. Time will tell about how good the Chonda is?