JD
Sounds like you have a snowblower now, so I assume you have some problem with it. Thing is, if it starts with a serial 536.918xxxx or 536.882xxx (which is the Murray built ones with the gear transmissions) it's probably one of the strongest built ones I've run into. Biggest problem I've run into with the 6 I have has been parts, or lack of Sears carrying them but even that's not a show stopper. I have found parts for vitually everything on units from 4 hp up to 10 hp with one exception: the 3/4" auger bushing on the smaller frame units (4 & 5 hp). Even that isn't insurmountable, I've found a bearing that will work in it's place but it's an open bearing so I'm not using that, still looking for a suitable replacement. The bigger ones (7-10 hp) I have not had an issue for anything I haven't either found the part for or been able to adapt something else to it. They have one issue I've seen with the bolt on the idler shaft on the bigger units coming loose and even that issue can be fixed rather easily as I've already done it on a couple.
I have a 7 HP that I converted to roller bearings on both the auger and axel, same with a 10 HP, done some transmission mods etc. I even swapped out a 26" two stage auger onto the 10 HP which was a 32" three stage, mainly because the bigger auger wouldn't fit through the garage door, so many parts interchange. All the Craftsman/Murray ones from that era had good cast iron engines, big impellars, thick metal and throw snow like there's no tomorrow. Even the 4 & 5 HP ones have 10" four vane impellars vs some of the newer ones that I've seen have 9" three vane impellars. Virtually everything is metal except for the belt cover and some of the auger and axel bushings and most of those have alternatives available.
I have one of the six units that's not in that model range, it's a 7 HP friction disc model snowblower. Even there where I needed bushings and Sears didn't carry them any more, I found suitable replacements that work well so options may be available.
Even if the motor is bad, the larger ones (7 hp and up) have single shaft motors and suitable replacements have been used my many people. The biggest issue there is those with twin shaft motors (4 & 5 HP Tecumseh's) in that though there may be suitable replacements, I haven't seen them so I can't speak to that. I did have one smaller one with motor problems and I found a parts machine that gave up it's long block to it, worked great. Like you say, most snowblowers are low hour units so there's little to go bad in a motor except for leaving stale gas in the carbs off season and not changing the oil regularly.
If this is your model range and you have some issue with it, post the facts and maybe someone can suggest a cure for you. Pictures wouldn't hurt either.
