Honda GX160 5.5 HP Gas Engine - 163cc OHV, 3/4 in Keyed Shaft, Recoil Start
The Honda GX160 is the small commercial engine that small engine-driven air compressors, plate compactors, pumps and pressure washers have been built on for decades. 163cc, overhead valve, cast iron cylinder sleeve, recoil start, and about as close to a known quantity as a petrol engine gets.
On the compressor side this is the engine that pairs with a 2 HP class single-stage pump on a wheelbarrow or small skid unit, including the ACS KU pump rated for 5.5 HP engine-driven duty.
Key specifications
- Displacement: 163 cc (9.9 cu in), single cylinder OHV, air cooled
- Net power: 4.8 HP (3.6 kW) at 3,600 RPM, SAE J1349 net
- Net torque: 7.6 lb-ft (10.3 Nm) at 2,500 RPM
- Shaft: 3/4 in diameter x 2-7/16 in, straight keyed horizontal, tapped 5/16-24 UNF, 3/16 in keyway
- Start: recoil only
- Fuel tank: approximately 3.3 US quarts
- Oil capacity: 0.61 US quarts
- Dry weight: approximately 33 to 34 lb
About the 5.5 HP figure
The GX160 is known throughout the trade as a 5.5 HP engine and that is how equipment built around it is specified, so that is how it is listed here. 5.5 HP is the legacy gross rating. Honda's current published figure is 4.8 HP net under SAE J1349, measured with the production muffler and air cleaner fitted. The engine did not change, only the convention for quoting its output. If you are replacing a 5.5 HP GX160, this is the right engine.
Recoil start only
This is the QX2 configuration, recoil start with no electric starter and no charging system. On a small compressor or a compactor that is almost always what is wanted, since there is no battery on the machine to charge. If you need a 12 volt start at this size, tell us and we will look at what is available.
Repowering a small compressor
Two things to check. First the shaft: this is the 3/4 in Q-type keyed shaft with a 3/16 in keyway, which is what small compressor sheaves in this class are bored for. A 1 in shaft engine will not drop in without a new sheave. Second, the unloader and idler arrangement, since a gas compressor needs to start unloaded. Tell us the compressor and we will confirm the shaft, the sheave and the idler before you order.
Typical applications
Small engine-driven air compressors, wheelbarrow and skid compressors, plate compactors, trash and transfer pumps, pressure washers, small generators and general light construction equipment.
The Honda GX160 is a 163cc OHV commercial gas engine with a 3/4 in keyed horizontal shaft and recoil start. Tell the Warthog Air Compressor Store team what machine it is going on and we will make sure the shaft and the drive match before you order.
NOTE: Actual product may be different from pictured!
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