What the heck has happened to Ariens ??? Isn't it an American company ??
I have one just like yours only a few years older. I haven't used it for 3 or 4 years but I start it yearly. The old Tecumseh starts easy with the primer bulb carb. I bought a couple new Toro's a few weeks ago and couldn't be more pleased. They start on the first pull and will auger through 10" of snow and blow it across the alley into the neighbors yard. The 4 stroke engines replaced the old 2 cycle Tecumseh engines they used since the original paddle wheel Snow Pup. tmm
I'm guessing you're seeing the 196/208/212cc Chinese made Honda Clone engine, probably 6-7 hp.
Due to the amount of old Tecumseh powered snowblowers out there, between myself and friends, we have installed several of the harbor freight "Chondas" on snowblowers (3x toro 421's and 1x 1968 Ariens Sno-Thro), and have had good luck at least for the last two years. My sister also has a troy-bilt snowblower with one of these and it's doing well too (6 years old).
Even the briggs engines look a lot like that now. I wouldn't personally be too worried.
I have one just like yours only a few years older. I haven't used it for 3 or 4 years but I start it yearly. The old Tecumseh starts easy with the primer bulb carb. I bought a couple new Toro's a few weeks ago and couldn't be more pleased. They start on the first pull and will auger through 10" of snow and blow it across the alley into the neighbors yard. The 4 stroke engines replaced the old 2 cycle Tecumseh engines they used since the original paddle wheel Snow Pup. tmm