OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions On Ride On Mowers Frames Loncin Engine

Hi, i have an old Bolens ST160 and am thinking of replacing the briggs 180 opposed 16 horse with a Loncin 16 single from Ebay. Just wondering if anyone would like to comment on these engines be it good or bad. They are a chinese make and from some forums i have been to they seem to report they are ok for general use. I went to their website to look at parts etc, the model engine i was looking at possibly buying wasn't in their parts list, not a good start. i downloaded a random parts list just to have a look, the part numbers were written too close together to decipher some of the numbers. Are these the motors that you can swap parts with honda parts i have heard about? Here is the manufacturer website:

http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://www.loncinengine.com/&ei=mvgzTaiMJMTJcbusgegH&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEIQ7gEwBA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dloncin%2Bengines%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1400%26bih%3D857%26prmd%3Divns

Anyway, just thought i might upgrade the old Bolens but don't wanna spend too much on it.
Thanks for reading/replying.

smythie, like you I haven't heard of Loncin, but they seem to have been making motorcycle engines for a while, and those engines seem to be regarded as serviceable rather than good. Why would you want to replace a Briggs & Stratton Industrial/Commercial engine with an unknown brand that you might not be able to get parts for? If the Briggs is irretrievably shot (say, connecting rod through the crankcase, and no junked crankcase available) it might be sort of understandable, but to describe this move as an "upgrade" seems to be stretching things a bit.

I would have to agree with Grumpy on this one.
Provided you Briggs has not self destructed and is still serviceable, I would make any needed repairs to the Briggs.
The Briggs engines are fairly simple and easy to work on, with a good range of spares available.
That would be the way I would go, but in the end it is you decision.

Thanks for the input guys, all noted.

The issue i have onb my mind is this is a 30yo Briggs, it needs new rings, plugs, air filter, muffler and a few other odds, it's one of those "idle only" carbs with one screw for adjustment and fixed high speed adjustment, if you tune it for smooth idol you dont get as much power at high revvs, i put a carb kit in it (i think that was around $100) Cost me 100 odd for inlet manifold (my fault, screwed carb on too tight and busted the orig) and didnt make much difference to it. It uses a bit of fuel and oil, so i figure by the time i spend money on all this stuff am i wasting time and money on something that might not last another 12 months, 2 months or 12 years, that is the burning question.

Once again, thanks for your input.

Gary

Can you post a picture of this carburetor? I don't immediately recall a Briggs carburetor of that period that doesn't have an adjustable main jet. Sounds like it would more likely be a large one-piece flo-jet, which has a main mixture adjustment disguised as the float bowl retaining screw.

Hi Grumpy, here is a website with some pics with the carb i have on my 180 opposed twin...
http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/briggs_opposed_twin_carb.asp

Thanks for that smythie, I thought that carburetor was introduced a bit later than 30 years ago (1980). If you can get more power at high speed by adjusting the idle jet, it is obviously running lean for some reason. (The idle jet shouldn't even be emitting a significant amount of fuel at high speed: it should only produce a flow when the throttle butterfly is in the nearly-closed position). You can check whether the engine is running lean by looking at the spark plug colour, and by slightly applying the choke and seeing whether the power increases.

There are engines that give better fuel consumption than your old Briggs, but they tend to be rather more complicated and perhaps to give a bit more trouble (the OHV Briggs V-twins are an example). For a contractor who has his mower professionally serviced, a modern engine of a reputable brand is probably the best way to go - the fuel saving and quieter, faster mowing can be important. The Loncin engine is of a somewhat more modern design than yours, but that wouldn't console you much if it gave trouble and/or you couldn't get the right parts and service information, quickly, when you needed them.

Would the Briggs swallow the total value of a new Loncin motor to repair???

You know the briggs will do another 30 if its pulled up to scratch, its just done 30. Then i suppose one has to ask, how much longer will the mower do, ive seen some 30yo ride ons, they get a bit sad.


I have to say ive had a similar dilema myself. I got a deutcher slasher for my dad. It had a G65 Honda on it. Muffler is stuffed and the pull starter is missing. Just to replace those two i can buy a new 6.5HP Loncin with electric start. The Loncin is leading the race at the moment.