Jacobsen Imperial 826: Your Ultimate Guide to This Vintage Snow Beast

That old, red beast in the corner of your garage isn’t just a snowblower; it’s a Jacobsen Imperial 826, a relic from an era when machines were built with steel, grit, and unstoppable power. The problem? Owning one of these vintage titans can feel like you’re on your own. Manuals are scarce, parts are elusive, and finding reliable repair advice is a challenge.

Many owners face the frustrating reality of a powerful machine that won’t start, struggles to throw snow, or has a mysterious mechanical issue that modern technicians won’t touch. This guide cuts through the confusion. Here, you will find the comprehensive, expert-level information needed to resurrect your Jacobsen Imperial 826, transforming it from a dormant giant into the reliable workhorse it was built to be.

A Legacy Forged in Iron: History and Specifications

Understanding your Jacobsen Imperial 826 begins with appreciating its heritage. Jacobsen was a premium American brand, renowned in the 1970s for producing durable, professional-grade turf equipment and consumer snowblowers. These machines were engineered to last, a stark contrast to many of today’s disposable models.

The Imperial 826 was a flagship model, celebrated for its heavy-gauge steel construction and robust components. Unlike its competitors, Jacobsen often manufactured its own machines, ensuring a high level of quality control. This dedication to craftsmanship is why so many of these units are still capable of clearing snow today.

Decoding the Numbers: Key Specifications

The “826” designation is straightforward: it signifies an 8 horsepower engine and a 26-inch clearing width. This combination provides ample power to tackle heavy, wet snow and clear significant paths in a single pass. Below is a detailed breakdown of what makes this machine a formidable force against winter weather.

Component	Specification	Significance for the User
Engine	Tecumseh HM80 or HMSK80 8 HP	Provides strong, reliable power for cutting through deep or compacted snow. These engines are known for their longevity.
Clearing Width	26 inches	Allows for efficient clearing of driveways and sidewalks with fewer passes.
Drive System	Friction Disc Drive	A simple, mechanical system that is durable and relatively easy to service compared to complex hydrostatic transmissions.
Speeds	Typically 4 Forward, 1 Reverse	Offers versatility to match ground speed with snow conditions, from slow crawling in heavy drifts to quicker passes in light powder.
Starter	Recoil (Pull) Start & Electric Start Option	Provides the reliability of a manual start with the convenience of an electric start for cold-weather situations.
Construction	All-Steel Auger and Housing	Ensures maximum durability and longevity. This machine can handle impacts with ice and debris that would damage plastic components.

The Heart of the Beast: Mastering the Tecumseh Engine

The soul of the Jacobsen Imperial 826 is its Tecumseh engine, typically an HM80 or HMSK80 model. These engines were workhorses, but they have specific needs and common failure points that every owner must understand to keep the machine running reliably. Neglecting the engine is the primary reason these snowblowers end up abandoned.

The most frequent issue reported by owners is a failure to start, especially after sitting for a season. This is almost always related to the fuel system or spark. Proper maintenance and troubleshooting can solve the vast majority of these problems without requiring a costly mechanic visit.

Engine Won’t Start: A Systematic Diagnosis

When your Imperial 826 refuses to start, resist the urge to pull the recoil starter endlessly. Instead, follow this diagnostic sequence to pinpoint the root cause efficiently. This methodical approach saves time and prevents unnecessary part replacements.

First, check for fuel delivery. Stale gasoline is the number one enemy of small engines. If the fuel in the tank is more than a few months old, drain it completely and replace it with fresh, ethanol-free gasoline if possible. A simple test is to remove the fuel line from the carburetor; fuel should flow freely. If it doesn’t, you likely have a clogged fuel filter or fuel line that needs replacement.

Second, verify the spark. Purchase an inexpensive inline spark tester. This tool connects between the spark plug and the plug wire, lighting up to indicate if a spark is being generated. If there is no spark, the issue could be a fouled spark plug, a faulty ignition coil, or a disconnected safety wire. Replacing the spark plug is a cheap and easy first step.

The Carburetor Conundrum: Cleaning and Adjustment

If fuel and spark are present but the engine still won’t run or runs poorly, the carburetor is the next logical culprit. Over time, tiny passages inside the carburetor become clogged with varnish from evaporated fuel. A thorough cleaning is often the only solution.

To clean the carburetor, you must remove it from the engine. Take clear photos during disassembly to ensure you can reassemble it correctly. Disassemble the carburetor, paying close attention to the float bowl, needle, and jets. Use a dedicated carburetor cleaner spray and compressed air to clear every passage. Never use a metal wire to poke through the jets, as this can easily damage them.

Once clean and reassembled, initial adjustment is key. The idle mixture screw (on the side) and the high-speed mixture screw (on the bottom of the bowl) should be gently seated, then backed out 1.5 turns as a starting point. This baseline setting will usually allow the engine to start, after which you can fine-tune it for smooth operation.

Conquering the Snow: Auger and Drive System Solutions

An engine that runs perfectly is useless if the snowblower can’t move snow or propel itself. The auger and drive systems of the Jacobsen Imperial 826 are robust but require periodic attention to function correctly. Problems in this area often manifest as the machine throwing snow weakly or failing to move forward under load.

These issues can be intimidating, but they are typically caused by simple, replaceable wear items like shear pins and belts. Understanding how to identify and replace these components is a fundamental skill for any vintage snowblower owner.

The Unsung Hero: Why Shear Pins Are Critical

The most common cause for an auger that doesn’t turn is a broken shear pin. Shear pins are designed to be the weakest link in the system. When the auger strikes a hard object like a rock or a thick piece of ice, these small bolts snap, protecting the expensive and hard-to-replace gearbox from catastrophic damage.

Never replace a shear pin with a standard bolt. A regular bolt is too strong and will not break under stress, transferring the destructive force directly to the gearbox. Always use the correct replacement shear pins. Inspect them regularly, especially after clearing heavy, chunky snow.

Power Transmission: Belts and Friction Disc

If the auger turns but throws snow weakly, or if the wheels spin without much force, you likely have an issue with belt tension or the friction disc. The Imperial 826 uses belts to transfer power from the engine to the auger assembly and the drive system. Over time, these belts stretch and wear, causing them to slip under load.

To inspect the belts, you must remove the belt cover. Look for signs of glazing (a shiny, smooth surface), cracking, or fraying. A properly tensioned belt should have about half an inch of deflection when pressed firmly. If the belts are worn or loose, replacing them will restore much of the machine’s performance. When it comes to cleaning up after a messy job, people often debate the effectiveness of different products, and the online discussions about Kaboom vs Scrubbing Bubbles show how much people value a tool that works right.

The machine’s forward and reverse motion is controlled by a rubber-edged friction wheel that presses against a metal plate. If your snowblower struggles to move, especially on inclines, the rubber on this wheel may be worn down or contaminated with oil. Inspect the friction wheel for wear and ensure the engagement mechanism is adjusted correctly to provide firm contact.

The Modern Restoration: Sourcing Parts and Upgrades

The biggest challenge for owners of the Jacobsen Imperial 826 is finding parts. Since Jacobsen no longer supports these consumer models, you have to be resourceful. However, the search is part of the appeal for many enthusiasts, turning a simple repair into a rewarding project.

The key is knowing where to look and what to look for. Many engine components are still available because the Tecumseh engines were used on a wide variety of equipment. Body and chassis parts, however, can be more difficult to find.

Your Parts-Finding Toolkit

Start your search online. Websites like eBay and various small engine parts suppliers are invaluable resources. Use the model number of your machine (e.g., 52640) and the engine model number (e.g., HM80) in your searches. You will often find “New Old Stock” (NOS) parts—original parts that were never sold and have been sitting on a shelf for decades.

Don’t overlook local resources. Small engine repair shops, especially those that have been in business for a long time, often have a “boneyard” of old machines. You may be able to find a parts machine for a very low price, which can provide a wealth of spare components. Online forums dedicated to snowblowers are also a great place to connect with other collectors who may have spare parts or know where to find them.

Many wear items like belts, bearings, and chains are standard sizes and can be cross-referenced at industrial supply stores or auto parts stores. Measure your old parts carefully and bring them with you to find a suitable replacement. Learning how to secure and transport heavy equipment is a valuable skill; it’s quite different from figuring out how to transport a ladder without a roof rack, but the core principles of safety and stability always apply.

Is the Jacobsen Imperial 826 Still a Good Snowblower?

In a world of plastic-clad, short-lived machines, the Jacobsen Imperial 826 stands as a testament to American manufacturing. Its value, however, depends entirely on the owner. For someone seeking a simple, push-button experience with a full warranty, this is not the right machine.

But for the hands-on homeowner, the DIY enthusiast, or the person who appreciates robust, mechanical simplicity, the Imperial 826 is an exceptional value. A well-maintained model can easily outperform many new, comparably sized snowblowers, especially in heavy, wet snow. Its all-steel construction gives it the mass and rigidity to power through drifts that would stop lighter machines.

Owning one is a commitment. It requires a willingness to learn, to get your hands dirty, and to hunt for the occasional part. The reward is a powerful, incredibly durable machine that you can maintain yourself for a fraction of the cost of a new premium snowblower. With the knowledge in this guide, you are well-equipped to keep this vintage beast roaring through winter storms for many years to come.