Sears Roper - Original engine?
- Thread starter Rich Curry
- Start date
There were 2 engines that the chrome version Ropers got in the short period they were made for 1970 model year. They were both Craftsman 4hp engines based off the Tecumseh HS40 The first/early ones were black with a nelson type round muffler and reinforcement bracket, and the later/last ones were Hunter green with the new at that time Taylor exhaust.
The hunter green ones (later 1970) were 143 617032 stamped engines. Would have been post October of 1970. I am not 100% sure the part number for the Black versioned ones offhand, but you can see the differences comparing the catalog pics and this survivor
here is the later in the year Hunter green version with the revisions/updates (lot of fun fully rebuilding that one while not damaging original paint!):
One Incorrect thing to note on the above engine, The recoil should be riveted not bolted, unfortunately the recoil was missing when that bike was originally puchased, I located a same color paint Craftsman engine of some equipment to use which was bolt on so I altered the shroud to accept bolts/nuts in order to retain original paint.
The hunter green ones (later 1970) were 143 617032 stamped engines. Would have been post October of 1970. I am not 100% sure the part number for the Black versioned ones offhand, but you can see the differences comparing the catalog pics and this survivor
here is the later in the year Hunter green version with the revisions/updates (lot of fun fully rebuilding that one while not damaging original paint!):
One Incorrect thing to note on the above engine, The recoil should be riveted not bolted, unfortunately the recoil was missing when that bike was originally puchased, I located a same color paint Craftsman engine of some equipment to use which was bolt on so I altered the shroud to accept bolts/nuts in order to retain original paint.
Thank
There were 2 engines that the chrome version Ropers got in the short period they were made for 1970 model year. They were both Craftsman 4hp engines based off the Tecumseh HS40 The first/early ones were black with a nelson type round muffler and reinforcement bracket, and the later/last ones were Hunter green with the new at that time Taylor exhaust.
The hunter green ones (later 1970) were 143 617032 stamped engines. Would have been post October of 1970. I am not 100% sure the part number for the Black versioned ones offhand, but you can see the differences comparing the catalog pics and this survivor
here is the later in the year Hunter green version with the revisions/updates (lot of fun fully rebuilding that one while not damaging original paint!): View attachment 269846 View attachment 269847 View attachment 269848
One Incorrect thing to note on the above engine, The recoil should be riveted not bolted, unfortunately the recoil was missing when that bike was originally puchased, I located a same color paint Craftsman engine of some equipment to use which was bolt on so I altered the shroud to accept bolts/nuts in order to retain original paint.
thank you for taking the time to reply. Very informative info. Thanks again
The hunter green ones (later 1970) were 143 617032 stamped engines. Would have been post October of 1970. I am not 100% sure the part number for the Black versioned ones offhand, but you can see the differences comparing the catalog pics and this survivor
here is the later in the year Hunter green version with the revisions/updates (lot of fun fully rebuilding that one while not damaging original paint!): View attachment 269846 View attachment 269847 View attachment 269848
One Incorrect thing to note on the above engine, The recoil should be riveted not bolted, unfortunately the recoil was missing when that bike was originally puchased, I located a same color paint Craftsman engine of some equipment to use which was bolt on so I altered the shroud to accept bolts/nuts in order to retain original paint.
There were 2 engines that the chrome version Ropers got in the short period they were made for 1970 model year. They were both Craftsman 4hp engines based off the Tecumseh HS40 The first/early ones were black with a nelson type round muffler and reinforcement bracket, and the later/last ones were Hunter green with the new at that time Taylor exhaust.
The hunter green ones (later 1970) were 143 617032 stamped engines. Would have been post October of 1970. I am not 100% sure the part number for the Black versioned ones offhand, but you can see the differences comparing the catalog pics and this survivor
here is the later in the year Hunter green version with the revisions/updates (lot of fun fully rebuilding that one while not damaging original paint!): View attachment 269846 View attachment 269847 View attachment 269848
One Incorrect thing to note on the above engine, The recoil should be riveted not bolted, unfortunately the recoil was missing when that bike was originally puchased, I located a same color paint Craftsman engine of some equipment to use which was bolt on so I altered the shroud to accept bolts/nuts in order to retain original paint.
The hunter green ones (later 1970) were 143 617032 stamped engines. Would have been post October of 1970. I am not 100% sure the part number for the Black versioned ones offhand, but you can see the differences comparing the catalog pics and this survivor
here is the later in the year Hunter green version with the revisions/updates (lot of fun fully rebuilding that one while not damaging original paint!): View attachment 269846 View attachment 269847 View attachment 269848
One Incorrect thing to note on the above engine, The recoil should be riveted not bolted, unfortunately the recoil was missing when that bike was originally puchased, I located a same color paint Craftsman engine of some equipment to use which was bolt on so I altered the shroud to accept bolts/nuts in order to retain original paint.
thank you for taking the time to reply. Very informative info. Thanks again
After finding out the B&S engine I had was not going to fit into my roper frame because of the gas tank hitting angled frame member I thought I’d find a modern engine. Nope, those don’t work either. So I bit the bullet and bought this engine. The seller told me has put a “billet rod” in it. Not knowing much about mechanics in summing he means a billet aluminum connecting rod between crank and piston. I have assumptions as to why this billet rod is better but they are only animations so if someone could tell me about these rods and any comments in this engine would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
