Honda GX versus GC Engines

VENTRY Fans with GC160 engine and GX200 engine

What is the difference between the Honda GX and GC series engines?

We utilize Honda GC- and GX-series engines on Ventry^® Ventilation Fans, our patented portable gas and electric fans which are used primarily in fire fighting and brush burning/stump burning. The main difference in the engines we use (GC160, GX120, GX160 and GX200) is that the GX engines are commercial duty while the GC160 is considered residential duty.

Other differences:

GX-series engines have low-oil shut-offs, which prevent damage to the engine.
The GC160 engine has an aluminum bore where the GX-series have cast iron bores, giving the Honda GX- engines a longer life.
GX-series have a fuel-shutoff valve so that if they are run infrequently you can run the fuel out, which is easier on the carburetor. Shutting off the fuel valve also prevents the accidental mixing of oil and fuel which can happen if the motor is jostled a lot (for example, when a fan is carried on a truck over bumpy roads).
GX-series have an on/off switch where the GC-series have the on/off combined into the throttle control. On the GC motor, this makes for simpler operation, removing one step, but it has the drawback of not being able to run the fuel out of the carburetor.
You’ll find a lot of metal on the GX-series and plastic on the GC. For example, the gas tank on the GC is plastic; on the GX-series it’s steel.
A bonus of the GX-series engines is that models GX160 and GX200 are available with an integral power supply unit which will run a halogen or LED Point of Entry Safety Light. Because the POE Safety Light is wired directly to an alternator in the engine, it is not available on the economy GC160 or as an add-on to existing Ventry Fans.
For commercial use, Honda warranties the GX-series engines for 36 months and the GC engine for 3 months.
GX-series engines are generally made in Thailand while GC-series engines are made in the USA. This is subject to change but based on the hundreds of engines we have inventoried over the years.

Honda GX engine

Honda GC engine

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