Thats good to know, never had one apart before. I always liked and still want one of their self propelled models with the castor wheels on the front, just one of the best ideas I have ever seen on a push mower. I remember we had one new at the local mower shop for years, they couldn't sell the thing, it was just too expensive, even compared to a Honda!
A quick google found Tecumseh was the primary supplier for Ariens for 49 years! Then Briggs took over. Being American there would have been no real reason to fit a Japanese engine, Honda would have just been way too expensive would be my guess.
