MF 12 Starter

[mdsbuck]

Working on MF 12 that has sat for years outdoors. Previous owner said stopped using when starter went bad. Is this something I can get parts for (brushes, etc) if I take it apart? Or are new ones still available? Anyone have NOS?
Also looking for carb kit. It appears I do have the original 12hp tecumseh engine.
 

[steve_in_mo]

Is the starter on the engine or do you have a starter-generator? The starter-generator can be rebuilt. The smaller starter on the engine is not impossible to rebuild but new ones are available on eeebayyy pretty reasonable.

The correct carb kit would depend on which carb is on that engine. It could be a Carter or more likely a Walbro. Read the instructions before you take the Walbro apart - it's a lot more touchy than a Carter.
 

[joe csuti]

Steve has a a better idea,buy a new starter on ebay,new aftermarket are avail for about$58 doing this will probably eliminate problems/headaches as tecumseh used 3 different pn sq case starters & 2 different pn round case starters(not counting s/g) on the hh120 depending on spec# and age of eng.

All of 3 sq case starters use a brush card(four holders/brushes mounted on a card)however depending on pn of starter 2 of them use same brush card & the 3rd uses a different pn brush card,to get correct card you need pn of starter which is usually on a gum label on side of starter case that's against block,you have to pull starter to see label,on round case starters brushes are replaceable seperate & starter pn usually on end cap of starter.

For carb kit you need mod/pn off carb body to get correct rebuild kit as there are 5 different pn carbs listed for hh120 eng,at least 3 use different pn for rebuild kit.

If you remove carb & disassemble,after removing bowl and BEFORE removing any other internal parts look at main jet aluminum casting,you'll probably see a raised bump on one side of casting running the length of same,this is the gas supply for idle circuit,IF there is a small brass plug installed in bump at bottom,DO NOT remove brass nozzle in main jet unless absolutely necessary,if anything try to remove plug or drill a small hole thru & plug/tap for a screw later & run a very fine wire thru hole/plug to center of nozzle in main jet to clean out.When carb assembled at factory brass main jet nozzle was installed in body,then a small drill was installed in hole where brass plug is & a very small hole was then drilled thru threads on brass nozzle to supply gas to idle circuit in carb body,along with dirt in idle passages & hole in threads not lined up with idle passage after nozzle reinstalled will cause eng to surge/hunt for it's speed when carb reinstalled(been there,done it)IF you do have to remove nozzle,then get a new service nozzle for carb,goto link below to see difference between old/new service nozzle,if you have brass plug you probably have old style on right.The service nozzle is getting a little hard to come by & expensive also there are 3-4 different pn nozzles depending on carb pn,superX power lists them on their website & they run $12-$15 depending on nozzle/carb pn.
nozzle

 

[mdsbuck]

Thanks guys now I have somewhere to start with both the carb and the starter. I really appreciate all the information. Have worked on lots of small engines but not a MF with Tec. motor. Just asking questions first before I learn something the hard way!
Hope someday I can help someone as well.
 

[joe csuti]

You might want to goto ebay & type tecumseh manual cd in search or type 160671628312 in search,cd will have all service/repair manuals for cast iron(hh series) & aluminim block eng along with peerless trans service manuals,I use this cd when working on tecumseh eng.
 

[greygoat]

NAPA's "Outdoor Power Equipment" catalog has lots
of Tecumseh parts, including GOOD carb kits.
You'll need engine model and serial numbers as
stamped into the engine shrouding.