What are you planning to use it for? With the Tecumseh, it is probably only intended for occasional duty. It will be noisy.

Well, if ya can afford it, buy it! Have the previous owner start it up for you. If he can. Tecumseh engines are as good as Briggs & Stratton. They've been around a long time, and with proper care will last as long as Briggs!
Now, being that it has been setting for a while, you might find the carburetor has jelled gasoline still in it, but thats not a big problem. Some engines didn't seem to have as big a problem with that, although there should be parts available for the Tecumseh and/or Briggs carbs. Probably will need a good cleaning, although ya might get lucky and it might start up and run o.k.
Generators usually just sit around gathering dust, for maybe a year or two, then the owner tries to start it, and it won't! A good dose of Stabil in the fuel can for the generator will help keep the gas fresh for quite a while.
Also: A warning!! DO NOT MAKE UP A DOUBLE MALE PLUG, TO CONNECT THE GENERATOR TO YOUR ELECTRIC SERVICE IN YOUR HOME! You can electrocute any linemen working on the lines after a storm, or whatever brought the lines down!
And, do not run the generator inside the garage, and watch that the fumes don't get into the house, thru the garage, an open door, or an open window! They'll put you to sleep permanently!
HTH: Rusty Jones, The Mower Man

thank you so much for not being jerks about being in the wrong forum.!!!!!:))

the generator will be used for occasional power outtages mainly and then also the occasional remote building site. the generator has already been started and seems to be one of the lucky ones that didnt have to carb all gelled up. Any solution to the noise level of it....i live in a resedential area with some p.i.t.a neighbors.???

"i live in a resedential area with some p.i.t.a neighbors.???"

Good enough reason to buy it! You might want to run the outdoor rotisserie with it.

hehe.....my neighbors love me....i shoot groundhogs all the time with a 12 gauge..plus the occasional late night coyote that dares to come into my yard....i drag dead deer through the yard from the field i hunt in, have a fire pit big enough to burn a car in(more than 4 feet deep dug out with a trac hoe)have been known to decide to cut my yard after dark:)) so i like to not push to many more buttons then i already do. is there a bigger muffler that i could install....the one thats on there now is smalled than my 4 horse push mower.

I have a similar generator, and the noise will drive you crazy. Mine has a 8 hp Tecumseh, there are several mufflers/muffler kits you can buy but they are only going to do so much. A lot of noise is transmitted through the engine itself and not the exhaust. And running wide @ss open, it gets to be annoying. Make sure and keep a can of either near by, starting one of these on a cold day can wear you out. I keep a can of "easy start" right with the machine and use it any time it's below 70F. I think the only way to really reduce the noise is with a "geared" machine which allows the motor to run at 1800 rpm vs 3600 rpm. Make sure an read the instructionns on "flashing" the field before you need the thing in an emergency. Regarding the price, in atlanta, they have a new "Big Box" store for electronics (I think called AppliancesMart). You can buy that machine new for just under $400. Probably has several feartures not found on the one you are looking at (built in converter for DC power, load meters etcc), you might want to use this as a bargaining chip. I wopuld search the internet for retail prices first.

You have to use starting fluid below 70F?? Yeesh, that is a very nice day here. LOL That stuff is really hard on engines with aluminum bore, the walls may be scored already.
The 1800rpm gensets are direct drive, they use a 4 pole rotor instead of 2. They are heavy and expensive.

I thought those low speed RV generators were geared, like PTO generators see the link), guess I was wrong. Just curious, how does the use of either scour an aluminum bore. I've been using the stuff for the first start of the season for my wave runners for over 10 seasons (once a season after pulling out of winter storage) with no ill effect. They are oil injected, so maybe this makes a difference. I have to put the things up for the winter when it falls to daytime highs in the high 70's, too cold for the kids in that kind of weather :)

Here is a link that might be useful: PTO Generator

When I had the D4 CAT, an old diesel mechanic told me not to use ether for starting or the engine would "get used to it". ... meaning, I'd have trouble starting it, without the ether after awhile.

can engines really get used to things????

Sure they can! Try running one without oil.

I don't know ... he seemed to talk from experience. Who was I, to argue?

I have bad load of emaphazema( sp)in my lungs,and I have been using starting fluid in my pull start engines for years.They start in one or two pulls.Three or more pulls,I feel like I am having a stroke,or a heart attack.I'll risk the old Wives tales about using starting fluid.I just spray a little on the air filter,and not flood the carb,....tbk

I thought you were going to tell us you use ether to help with your emphysema!

My tecumseh powered snow blower is noisy, and has only had one oil change in its 11 year life. It still works despite that abuse and I expect it will last a while longer before it rusts away.
$250 is a steal if its got enough power to support essential services in the house. 5250 will be the surge rating, its continuous rating is probably 4500. If you have a well pump that too small. But for lights tv fridge its fine.
I would recommend getting a transfer switch installed for safe operation by a qualified electrician. That would likely take the total cost of the gen and install to close to $1000