I had that same problem for years on my Ariens 8HP 24", especially at the end of the driveway. Three years ago I installed an impeller kit and it threw the snow about 30% farther and has never clogged again.

What happens is many blowers have a large gap beteen the impeller blades and the housing, this is where the clog occurs The kit is rubber paddles that when installed properly just meet the housing and elimiante any gap.

Here is the link for the kit I bought and am extremely pleased.

Clarence Impeller Kit

http://smllengns.tripod.com/

Also do a Google search for "Clarence Impeller Kit", this will display some forums and reviews of what others think of the product.

It may take you a little time to install, but well worth it for the improvement and aggravation of cleaning the chute to continue.

I installed a custom impeller modification I made myself. however I don't think this is going to solve your problem. If I understand you correctly the impeller does not turn freely under heavier loads. If this is the case. I think you have a bit more serious remedy needed. Your going to have to disassemble the gear case. and visually inspect the gearbox. here you will be able to access the damage. hopefully It will be one of two things a broken grove pin(much like a shear pin) or broken gears, preferably the prior versus the latter. which can be a much greater savings on the pocket. Good luck! I highly recommend the snow blower forum http://www.snowblowerforum.com/

I lost all my interest in this forum! since the merge .PS its always good stating the year, model and serial number of your unit!

I just had it at the small engine repair shop last year as the unit wouldn't turn over. It ended up being the sparkplug housing.. I think... I'm so NOT a DIY guy when it comes to engines and stuff. Give me a broken computer and I'll fix it for you licked-split, but an engine or most home repairs are beyond me. I was thinking that I may have to take it back in to the shop for them to look it over. The engine now runs like a champ, so at least with engines, I know they do good work. I might have to point them toward this problem so they can determine what is going on.

The impeller kit looks very interesting, and I'D LOVE to have it throw farther and work with wetter snow. However, I looked at mine and the impeller is mounted horizontally instead of vertically and the impeller meta is THICK and has an angle-bend on the end instead of being flat, so I don't know that the impeller kits I saw online would work with this unit. I will probably ask them about installing a kit as well.

Thanks for the info. You've helped me to determine what my next step is. Either option requires me to take it to the shop. If you think if anything else, drop me a line. If it's something simple, I'm all good with trying it, but disassembling everything is way past my comfort zone, and the impeller kit on the video looked easy enough to install that I would give it a try, but again my unit doesn't look like it would be that easy to install w/o taking off the impeller, drilling holes, and then remounting it. If it's something more advanced, at least it will help me figure out the best way to address the issue.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff,

Although member Bertman gives another opinion on your issue, I don't feel it's a transmission problem. However I did fail to mention the cause could also be a worn drive belt that is slipping enough not to generate enough RPM's to move the impeller fast enough to clear the chute. A belt replacement and adding an impeller kit is far cheaper than a transmission repair so I would start there. Below is a link for the parts manual, here you will find the parts applicable to your model.

Your model 317E640F352 appears to be a 1997, 26 inch, 8HP Tecumseh, color red,, purchased from Walmart according to the parts manual.

Looking at the impeller it does not look like my Ariens impeller but it doesn't mean the impeller kit won't work. I would Email Clarence and tell him exactly what unit you have and ask which, if any, kit would work.

I respect that your DIY skills may not be up to the task of installing the kit if one is available. I found things went much easier on the drilling installation by removing the chute and drilling into the impeller from the top. You can always purchase the kit and have the repair shop install it.

I'm not impressed with this new Houzz forum, I seem to have trouble posting links. If the links don't work just copy & paste the link in a new browser window.

Here is a pic of your impeller (part # 684-0065)

Parts Manual Download

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCoQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmanuals.mtdproducts.com%2Fmtd%2FDocGetter%3Fdoc%3D770-97-9c.pdf&ei=n6_9VJ6wLYO-ggSBr4P4DA&usg=AFQjCNFTsLpgYjsrRkZFrTo5yjRcZlvjkQ&sig2=tmr71zEasg3tLFml4RzKYw&cad=rja

Follow Up From Last Post.

Here are some pics of
my Ariens 8\24 (1995) to get an idea what the impeller kit looks like
installed.
This is after 3 years use, no rust on the hardware.