Replacement engine suggestion for Vermeer BC625

[ChasBronson]

That's just huge money for 25hp.
That particular engine is not very common...at all.
I wouldn't hesitate doing a compression rebuild on it. In terms of electrical parts the vertical series is likely the same as horizontal series which give you a better chance of finding used.
If that machine has PTO attachment on flywheel and crankshaft side I'd be very careful about trying to fit something else. You might develop a headache with no cure.
Stripped hardware...stop by your local golf course and ask the tech if you can have an ounce of his lapping compound. 120/180 would be fine. Do whatever dance you do for known tough hardware extraction and fill head ( Phillips, socket head) with compound. Works great and you will be surprised!
If you were down the street I'd be happy to have a look...this is in my wheelhouse.
McMaster Carr is your go to supplier for all things you can't find local. Great fill rate and shipping. If you can measure it they can supply it.
Good luck.

keep in mind up here here in Canada and consideringthe prices I seen ona few of your websites, they’re 2k.
I’m going to go tomorrow morning and get some contact cleaner to prep the inside of this flywheel and some metal paper clamps to hold the magnets tight in against the inside of the flywheel until the JB weld cures, I’ll reinstall this ol engine and put it back to work. I don’t have any absolute no time right now to be doing nothing but getting this engine charging my battery again and get back out making money.
I’ve had a small container of lapping compound and the lapping tool since about 1990 and that’s the first time I’ve heard of using lapping compound to help get stubborn hardware out but I can see how that extra bit of grit would make for positive contact haha. That’s a cool trick. Appreciate you sharing that

ya as much as I’d like to try a Honda, no way am I prepared right now to open up that pail of worms because I already know there’d surely be fitment issues. If I replace with new I’ll be swapping this Kohler for another of the same. Yes it’s a horizontal with
1-7/16” OD Crankshaft our the back side to drive pulley then a step down 6” stub shaft bolted to the middle of flywheel that comes out the front to coupled to hydraulic pump via lovejoy

 

[medalist]

Being a mile from salt water I get my share of things rusted and stuck. Wrench in one hand, torch in the other usually. Compound trick really works well...in my old age I don't screw up much but has saved me more than once when faced with the seemingly impossible.
They have golf courses in Canada...stop by your local one. That engine was used on some commercial ZTR machines in a vertical form and do a little research on electrical parts as they could be found on some other models. Bring him a dozen donuts ...generally hungry, and sometimes lonely, but most are willing to help given the opportunity.

I've done some business with this outfit when his Dad ran it. They had some good deals and good working knowledge. If nothing else he might have some good advice. At least this price is palatable.
https://repowerspecialists.com/products/vermeer-bc625-with-kohler

 

[ChasBronson]

Being a mile from salt water I get my share of things rusted and stuck. Wrench in one hand, torch in the other usually. Compound trick really works well...in my old age I don't screw up much but has saved me more than once when faced with the seemingly impossible.
They have golf courses in Canada...stop by your local one. That engine was used on some commercial ZTR machines in a vertical form and do a little research on electrical parts as they could be found on some other models. Bring him a dozen donuts ...generally hungry, and sometimes lonely, but most are willing to help given the opportunity.

I've done some business with this outfit when his Dad ran it. They had some good deals and good working knowledge. If nothing else he might have some good advice. At least this price is palatable.
https://repowerspecialists.com/products/vermeer-bc625-with-kohler

I’m not sure these new engines aren’t showing the front vented shroud like mine has. I have about a 6” stub shaft running through the front cover where it’s coupled to the hydraulic pump via a lovejoy coupling. What do I do use my old front cover on a new engine?? haha

 

[ChasBronson]

Well I priced that new engine up here and then called Brandon at Repower in Oregon. Saved $700CDN by the time the smoke cleared.
I should maybe look into the cost of new jugs/top end kit for this old engine but it never really made much sense to me to take an old engine and do what felt like doing 1/2 a job, doing the top and not the bottom when theyve both seen same hours. Like guys replacing one driveline U joint whereas I, when one goes, just replace them all and not worry about another one going 6 months later.

 

[lone wolf]

Well I priced that new engine up here and then called Brandon at Repower in Oregon. Saved $700CDN by the time the smoke cleared.
I should maybe look into the cost of new jugs/top end kit for this old engine but it never really made much sense to me to take an old engine and do what felt like doing 1/2 a job, doing the top and not the bottom when theyve both seen same hours. Like guys replacing one driveline U joint whereas I, when one goes, just replace them all and not worry about another one going 6 months later.

I measured the bores to Kohlers specs and they were within tolerance for wear. Then got piston assemblies with rings and complete heads with valves etc and seals.

 

[lone wolf]

https://kohlerpower.com/en/engines/manuals

 

[ChasBronson]

I measured the bores to Kohlers specs and they were within tolerance for wear. Then got piston assemblies with rings and complete heads with valves etc and seals.

what did those parts cost ya, just to give me an idea because if I could do what you’ve done that would be great to do that over the winter. Man I’d be some shocked if these jugs were not beyond max spec knowing how many reliable hours this ol girl has given me.

 

[lone wolf]

what did those parts cost ya, just to give me an idea because if I could do what you’ve done that would be great to do that over the winter. Man I’d be some shocked if these jugs were not beyond max spec knowing how many reliable hours this ol girl has given me.

650.00 American. Tear it down first look for cross the hatch pattern remaining, IDK how you can measure I used a dial bore gauge.How many hours you think is on it? And read up in the manual in the link I posted for you.

 

[ChasBronson]

650.00 American. Tear it down first look for cross the hatch pattern remaining, IDK how you can measure I used a dial bore gauge.How many hours you think is on it? And read up in the manual in the link I posted for you.

for sure, no cross hatching left chances are good she’ll be too far gone for factory borePistons. I have different inside bore gauges here up to I ghink at least 6”. Hours on this engine, well let’s just say the hour meter was broke when I gotthe chipper and it shows 744 and that was in 2006 and I wouldn’t dare guess but she’s gotta be well over the 2000hrs and why I said, it owes me nothing. I honestly can’t believe she’s been as reliable as I could ever hope for and then some. Ya somehow o missed the link you sent for the manual. I’ll be 60 this year and spent the better part of my adult life at the bench of doffernt authorized snowmobile motorcycle ATV Stihl, snowblowers etc etc andlooking back grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained. Now still climbing trees but all those years of learning I guess has helped me not taking my equipment to shops to have repaired. I just hope good people like you are considerate enough to guide me on certain things I’m not up on.

 

[lone wolf]

See post 26 from me about a link to get a manual.

 

[ChasBronson]

What are they referring to Ring to groove side clearance. At first I thought that was ring end gap
Roughly 3.125” bore ?
Looking at the front of the engine on the left side coil attached to the same two mounting location bosses is a sensor that’s picks up flywheel signal .... what the heck is that for ???

 

[lone wolf]

What are they referring to Ring to groove side clearance. At first I thought that was ring end gap
Roughly 3.125” bore ?
Looking at the front of the engine on the left side coil attached to the same two mounting location bosses is a sensor that’s picks up flywheel signal .... what the heck is that for ???

Put a feeler on top of an installed ring and measure.Not sure what the pickup is for on that one? Does it have wires that connect to anything it may not matter. The one that was on my stump grinder did not go to anything it was there for a the optional autosweep mode on different model grinders.

 

[ChasBronson]

Put a feeler on top of an installed ring and measure.Not sure what the pickup is for on that one? Does it have wires that connect to anything it may not matter. The one that was on my stump grinder did not go to anything it was there for a the optional autosweep mode on different model grinders.

ya sure I‘d always use a bare piston to push a ring to TDC so I knew the ring would be “square”to the bore then as you said use a feeler gauge to check for ring end gap.
I bet you anything that’s likely what that sensor is for, the AutoFeed... once that engine drops down to a specific RPM it would energize the autofeed coil. Makes the most sense anyways
Hey the team at Repower Specialists are you be commended. Called and placed my order this morning and before 3pm Fedex already had picked it up. 3000 miles away and it’s supposed to be here Friday. Professional team !!!

 

[ChasBronson]

Well this new Kohler is out for delivery today eith Fedex and I searched the web in hopes fo find some reliable on proper oil and break in procedure for this new engine.
I ran SAE 50 in my last CH25 for the summer months but wondered about starting with SAE 30. I know some will say to just start it up and run it wide open but I certainly don’t do that with my fresh saws and maybe I worry about things I shouldn’t but thought I’d ask you guys for suggestions.

 

[medalist]

I would simply do as stated in Kohler oil recommendations usually found in the operators manual.

Repower is a good source... Brandon's Dad was very knowledgeable and prices at the very low end of the market.

 

[lone wolf]

Well this new Kohler is out for delivery today eith Fedex and I searched the web in hopes fo find some reliable on proper oil and break in procedure for this new engine.
I ran SAE 50 in my last CH25 for the summer months but wondered about starting with SAE 30. I know some will say to just start it up and run it wide open but I certainly don’t do that with my fresh saws and maybe I worry about things I shouldn’t but thought I’d ask you guys for suggestions.

I should think like 10-30 will work fine and for break in just dont let it get real hot is all.

 

[ChasBronson]

Ya I’m grateful to have dealt with Brandon and then Chad In shipping. Both very knowledgeable guys. AAA+
Fedex delivered yesterday from 300iles away. I honestly don’t I would’ve gotten it any quicker had I ordered through a local dealer and it came out of Toronto which only 2.5hrs away. Plus o save $570 ta boot

 

[ChasBronson]

I should think like 10-30 will work fine and for break in just dont let it get real hot is all.

spoke with the guys at repower and I’m going to run SAE 40... Brandon said the biggest reason the magnets would never stay on those CH flywheels is because they ran so hot and all that old CH25 of mine ever seen during the heat of the summer months was SAE 50. 5-30, 10-30 in my opinion way too thin to begin with. I always always always let all my equipment warm up so that heavier oil doesn’t take long to thin out.

 

[lone wolf]

spoke with the guys at repower and I’m going to run SAE 40... Brandon said the biggest reason the magnets would never stay on those CH flywheels is because they ran so hot and all that old CH25 of mine ever seen during the heat of the summer months was SAE 50. 5-30, 10-30 in my opinion way too thin to begin with. I always always always let all my equipment warm up so that heavier oil doesn’t take long to thin out.

I didnt think it got hot up there.

 

[medalist]

Ambient temps aren't as much a factor as dirty cooling fins.
Oven cleaner does a heck of a job cleaning them...no good on painted surfaces.