Buying Advice Can a honda gx390/gx160 run vertically?

[Coca Kohler]

Sometime in the near-ish future I know the engine will completely die in my mower and I was wondering if a Honda gx390 or any Honda gx engine can run with the crank shaft facing downwards instead of to the side. I know that they generally run so the crankshaft is facing horizontally but I was mainly worried about the sump and the low oil shut offs. The mower that it would go on is more of a towing tractor and I would also think that the gx motor would be a fun engine to tune and mess around with so I can learn more about engines.

 

[Mini Motors]

Typically, no. And you hit on the reason. Oil.

 

[Coca Kohler]

Ok thanks.

 

[robert@honda]

Honda does make vertical-shaft versions of almost all the horizontal-shaft GX engines...the vertical crankshaft models are call "GXV" while the horizontals are simply "GX"

--In most cases, there are far more verticals manufactured vs. horizontals, so if you are shopping for a used engine, it will be easier to find a vertical.

--Some of the larger GX engines have a pressurized oil system and spin-on filter, but DO not allow for 90ｰ rotation of the engine.

--Full details, specs, sizes, power, torque, etc. are all online; click on image below to go there...