I've had a hate on for this engine since the first time I tried to start it last spring when it was brand new. Hard to start, would kick back and rip the cord out of my hand, noisy and used twice the gas my old splitter did with the Kohler engine. So I made the transplant today to a real engine, the GX 270. Added oil and gas and it kicked the first pull then started right up on the second. It's a heck of a lot quieter and I'm sure it will use less gas. With ball bearings on each end of the crankshaft it will not only outlast me, it will outlast the next owner if he changes the oil on time. It's a pretty tight fit with the longer crank on the Honda. Only about 1/4 inch gap between the pump body and hydraulic filter. I think I'll be quite happy with this splitter now. The engine was the only thing about it that really bealed my arse. It rubbed me the wrong way right from the start. I can say today to the Briggs & Stratton: I won.
Glad you're happy with the swap. Su€k$ to have to spend extra money on a new splitter, but as long as you're happy, good investment.
Life’s to doggon short to have to deal with aggravating nonsense like that when your trying to accomplish work tasks efficiently.
You'll like it. My splitter, power washer and 12 yr old lawn mower all have Honda engines and still start on the 1st or 2nd pull.
That was the deciding factor, the legend of Honda. My pressure washer is also a Honda and starts and runs great. The GX series are commercial engines so I should never have a problem with reliability.
I’ve got a splitter I bought in 1991 with the original Honda gx240 on it & it still starts & runs like a top!
Seems like more and more people are having problems with Breaks & Scatters engines. The old flathead ones held up good for me.
The BS XR series engines are just chinese honda based clones. Had a few on customers splitters that had typical china engine fuel system problems. Part support through briggs is poor to non existent for this series. The OPs solution is the only proper repair for these briggs in my opinion.
For the past 35 years everything I have purchased was either Honda or had a Honda engine on it. Their stuff just works. Others have had luck with different engines but why would I switch. Never had one break down. The only issue I have had is with fuel. Fuel in Northern Kentucky is garbage. All my Honda stuff starts on the first pull. If it doesn’t I forgot to turn the switch on. My F501 tiller is 29 years old and has the original spark plug. I have beaten it mercilessly. brenndatomu worked in one of their dealerships and he can tell you any products/engines to avoid if any. My good friend owned the largest Honda dealership in the country up East. I sold hundreds of pieces of equipment to my friends for them. Therefore I got good deals. I think you will be very satisfied with that engine. Keep your fuel conditioned.
I must add one thing after looking at your pics again. DO NOT tow that machine anywhere without turning the fuel off. The gravity feed tanks are great but bouncing up and down the road will fill the crankcase with fuel especially with zero suspension. If you run it after that you will spin the bearings right out of the crank. I’ve seen them so full of fuel you couldn’t pull the starter rope. That’s why they put the fuel shutoff valve on them.
That's something I had already read about here at FHC and follow religiously, even though I'm only towing it behind my mower to the garage. I also add Sea Foam at the end of the splitting season and only use alcohol-free gas.
I have a Troy-Bilt tiller I bought in the early '90,s with a flat head B&S engine and it's been perfect. Starts almost always on the first pull even after sitting all winter. Their OHV engines seem to suck though.
