It runs smoothly right out of the box.
I would upgrade the gear box to pump mounting bolts on the geardrive. I have a ygr gearbox that had 2 of the bolt heads just break off inside the geardrive after like 15 hours. Ate 2 rubber seals, very annoying.
So, you guys with the Predator 459’s… how are they holding up?? Have you been riding them hard & putting them up wet?
I’m starting my 6.5GPM build with this engine in about 2-3 weeks. I’ll let you know how she runs after I build it since I have jobs lined up for around that time, and after a couple of months.
It will run the Udor cc 26/20 at around 7.8GPM and 2100-2400psi on 200ft of hose. Multiple guys have videos posted of the bucket tests. I run one and have built a few for others. Pump is rated 6.9GPM. Over performs. 
We have seen a couple of the push button starter switches go bad. Buy the warranty.
My push button start switch went bad. Lol. Engine still runs great though! I’ve been lazy and haven’t fixed the switch, so I jump the starter solenoid posts with a screwdriver to start it.
Have you ran the daylights out of it? I’m considering buying one of these & hate to rely on anything that doesn’t have Toyota, Honda or Gibson stamped on it.
I wouldn’t say “run the daylights out of it,” as I know there are guys in here with hundreds and thousands of hours on their engines. I built this unit the beginning of this year, and aside from the push button start switch I’ve had no issues. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one, and indeed I plan on doing so.
It’ll be out of daylight and seized in about 80 hours. If you have to go cheap get a lifan motor, I’ve had em pulled apart and tolerances measured it’s about the closest thing you can get to a Honda from China. The rest are trash, no good.
Thanks for the info! I’m putting a 16hp Vanguard on my rig but always like to keep a plan B up my sleeve & Hondas are rather elusive lately. Keeping an eye on the classifieds. I missed a GX690 with an Udor for $600 last winter. Had 600 hours on it.
$600 for a 690 with those hours and pump is a grab it with both hands kinda deal. You gota be quick these days.
I’ve put much more than 80 hours on this Predator and put several hundred hours on my past 4 predators each. I’ve never had one sieze.
Ironically the one Lifan motor I have bought was garbage and wouldn’t start after 12 hours. Lol
You ain’t kidding! I just missed a GX660 for $75. Posted 50 minutes ago. Has governor issues. I was barely the second response. Dammit!
I wouldn’t take 80 hours as gospel, more the idea that some junk is better than other junk. I’ve had hondas that wouldn’t start as well, couple of kicks with the gumboot got her fired right up.
I’m catching your drift sir! I’d be thrilled to tear down a 20 year old Honda or Vanguard this December & break it in next spring with zero hours on it. It looks like used Hondas typically come with a muffler. Odd.
A rebuild kit for a small motor is about $100 with gaskets, if you’ve got the time, patience and a basic understanding of motors you could have a bench full of fresh motors ready to go for $1000. You build one you’ve built them all, they’re all fundamentally the same.
I took 3 years of small engine repair in high school. My shop teacher tore a complete engine down, rebuilt it from scratch & had it running at the end of the class (2 hours). He was honing the cylinder 45 minutes in. He just wanted to show us it could be done after a snarky student said it wasn’t possible.
My friends have done the same. They’ll be great help to me and have helped me with my personal vehicle, so I’m glad i’ll have help there. Makes for a good story sometimes haha
Looking to build a back up unit using the same Predator machine. How has yours been holding up?
Starter button worked 3 times. 40 hours in, muffler fell off because the studs rusted & broke off. Bit the bullet & bought a Honda GX630 like I should have in the first place.
Been using it for a year.
Surprisingly, everything is still good. Switch is working, despite me thinking it was gonna go out after a couple of uses. Even if it does, you can still pull start the machine and get it going. I’ve had no issues and if I upgrade soon, I will be keeping this as a backup unit or rig it so a second person can use it with me.
