Darmic1

Thanks guys, yes, the decals will finish them off!

Took me about 2 1/2 hours, and it was all back together and running for the 1st time. Just need to get a new drive belt on Tuesday, fit that, then im just waiting on some of Titch's decals, which are on order. Here are the 2 Saturn's side by side....... And here's a short video of this one running for the 1st time. http://youtu.be/-bFMtRQINbE

Well I got a bit busy in the garage again this afternoon, after having visited a local show, The Berkshire Country Fayre is held on the Englefield Estate. It advertised vintage agricultural and horticultural exhibits along with other related stuff, however the horti side was AWOL! Plenty of Fergie's and a couple of Fordsons, one Roadless and a David Brown. So I didn't even get the camera out. Still, I made good use of my afternoon, here's the results........

Thanks guys......... glad to be back in the garage again. Was getting a bit of cabin fever!

After waiting for a few weeks for a welder to replace some of the rotten metal in Saturn 2 grass box, I finally got it back. I've had the painting on hold as I wanted to do all the blue in one hit. I made use of the dry afternoon yesterday and here is all the metal work with its shiny new paint on.

Im trying to 'get permission' to keep the Landmasters and Atco in the spare room as the garage is full! Have faithfully promised to drain all fluids but the 'Lady is not for turning' now for plan B........... move the missus under the patio?

That looks a purposeful bit of kit! Hope it cuts as good as it looks!

Now the "cup" was remade it was on to the actual muffler. When I ordered a new one I received one which was to big a diameter to clear the belt guard on the deck. After hours of searching the internet I managed to find the correct diameter muffler. However, it didn't have the correct thread size. The Briggs has a 1/2" pipe fitting as standard and this replacement muffler had some obscure metric thread smaller than 1/2". How to fix was my next question...... So a trip to my local Unimaster to have a chat. My thoughts were to have a short piece of pipe with an external thread of 1/2" one end and the other end threaded internally with this obscure thread? However they don't carry a cutter to do this strange thread. So after a bit of head scratching on both sides we came up with a plan. Drill out the 4 spot welds which held the threaded piece in place, remove it and replace with a 1/2" pipe fitting machined to fit the opening. Once welded in place it would serve the same purpose as before, only fit! Here are the pictures of this little fix and the finished exhaust system fitted.

Managed to make the "Cup" which fits over the exhaust muffler today. Without it the 2nd Saturn wouldn't be correct, and vent beneath the deck. I haven't welded 0.9mm steel before........ And I don't want to again!!! It took 3 attempts at making this, Even with the welder turned right down it kept blowing holes. I ran out of gas, then wire, used all my power file belts and flap disks...... Eventually got it right on the 3rd go!

Thank you, Its an old Ford Blue, used on agricultural machines. I had the colour matched at my local paint specialist, Its called Empire Blue.........

Here is a link to the video of the mower running....... http://youtu.be/Fk2kmgTbUeo

I have a nice little job to make the exhaust vent under the deck on the 1979 Saturn. The old exhaust had corroded really bad and will require remaking. I have purchased the new muffler part, but Landmaster fabricated a "cup" which fits over the muffler and a tube vents the exhaust gases beneath the deck.This is all that was left of this system

Thanks Paul! Just waiting for the 2nd one to come back from the blasters, engine for it is sat on the bench ready to be reunited......

Thanks Ian, the first one is finished bar the decals, Here are a few pictures in the daylight.

Spent 3 hours in the garage this evening and the 1968 Saturn is all back together. Titch has the job of recreating the Landmaster decals for it, only then will it be finished. I will get some daylight shots tomorrow. Also managed to finish putting the engine back together for Saturn 2, the 1979 one.

Found the numbers for Saturn 1s engine now, they are......... Model Type Code 92502 0253 01 6801222 so I guess 2nd January 1968? This means I have a very early Saturn and a much later one....... pretty happy about that!

Saturn 2s engine got its new clothes today, along with the air shrouds, air filters, starter, fuel tank and the flywheel screen. Saturn 1s deck and grass box was collected from the blasters today, managed to get them painted too. The handles, roller and guard are all powder coated satin black.

Cheers Paul, collecting some paint for the engine and mower tomorrow. The blasters have called to say its all ready......

A few hours later.......... All reassembled after finishing stripping and priming the air shroud, recoil housing and air filter case. Very pleased to report we now have a good strong spark, so hopefully it will now run!

The postman bought me a pile of goodies today, all the bits needed to rebuild the Saturn's engine.......

I managed to get these parts of Saturn 2s engine stripped of all the old paint, wire brushed and etch primed today. Wont be putting the top coat on until the new parts are fitted and the engine is built up.

Will have early and main crop spuds, runner, french, borlotti and broad beans, peas, carrots, red onions, white onions, shallots, parsnips, cauli, brocoli, several varieties of cabbage, leeks, beetroot, sprouts, gem and iceburg lettuce, red and white spring onions, 2 or 3 varieties of toms, cucumber, lots of chillies. Then there's the fruit, rhubarb, blueberries, raspberry's, strawberry's, gooseberry's and blackcurrants........ blimey, think I best get digging!

Its a great feeling when they fire up after a major overhaul....... Good luck with the wood cutting!

Saturn 2 got dismantled today. Gave up trying to start it, so I exacted some revenge with the spanners! All the parts are now at the blasters along with Saturn 1. Then I performed a dissection of Saturn 2's heart......... The engine is now totally stripped, having ordered new condensor, points, magneto armature, full set of gaskets and seals, new diaphragm, tank cap, air filter, exhaust and spark plug! If it wont start after that it may end up in space as its name suggests!!! All parts have been cleaned and degreased. Valves have been decoked and lapped in, will put some pictures up tomorrow.

The numbers stamped into the cowling are: Model Type Code 92988 0960 01 79012922 So that makes it a 29th January 1979........