Darmic1

Once the replacement seal was fitted and the sump refitted, things got a little bit worse. I attempted to 'blow in' the bolt heads and around the sump/block join. But the paint didn't want to behave. It reacted and blistered...... So out with the stripper and removed ALL of yesterdays work...... Still it kept me busy! Managed to get it primed and painted in 6 hours thanks to the heat in the garage. Here are some pictures once it was dry and had the Tank, Carb and Bracket refitted. one Query for you guys....... In the first of these photo's is a wire coming from beneath the flywheel towards the Carb. What does this wire do? where does it go? I did wonder if it was something to do with stopping the engine, as I can see no other use other than killing the spark?

That's what I was thinking too Paul..... Had a not so nice little surprise waiting for me in the garage this morning, a puddle of oil beneath the freshly painted Briggs! Its odd because I had the mower running for over 1/2 hour on Monday, no leaks. The engine has been sat on the bench until yesterday without so much as a drip........ Yet after painting it decided to make a mess!!!! Grrr So my plan to leave the engine alone resulted in the sump being removed to fit a new crank oil seal. Here is the offending bit...... after I exacted some revenge!

Cheers for that Paul, I may have found another one, with all the above features on it. Will let you know how I get on......

Thanks Paul, Been reading up on this mower too. The brochures you kindly sent show the mower with a different engine, adjustable handles, a clutch to control the drive to the rollers and an exhaust which vents through the deck. Mine doesn't have any of these features, so I'm guessing mine is a cheaper version?

Cleaned and degreased the engine yesterday, came out ok. Will have to use a stripper to remove the old paint, but first I will have the paint mixed to match that on the engine. Having given up with the new 'Nitromors', its useless. My paint suppliers recommended this stuff. Its not on sale to the general public...... cough!!! An hour later, all the old paint is gone. The surfaces have been washed clean, dried and a quick wipe over with some thinners, just to make sure there's no grease on the surfaces. A short while later a couple of coats of etch primer are drying whilst I went to collect the deck from the welders and drop it off at the blasters. Having left the primer to dry under the heat lamp for a couple of hours, a coat or 3 of top coat are applied. Other parts are also ready for their new clothes, tank, bracket etc.... I gave the exhaust a coat of the VHT matt black too. Am really pleased with the paint finish....... Its really smooth and shiny!!!

Posted my form today........

I'm in awe of your engineering skills! I can paint and pretty things up fairly good, but you sir are the master when it comes to a build!!!

Thanks for the info!

Thats a lovely restoration, out of interest what is the white used on the engine, I have a briggs i'm about to restore?

Hi Ian, no problems on the paint! 'The look' is what made me want it, not having seen anything like it before. Its not got a great age to it, being 1970s, but its unusual....... a google search brings up only this particular mower, listed on ebay and a small amount of info........

Does anyone have the correct name or code for the paint used on Landmaster's? I did find some blue paint under the Hammerite, Regatta Blue BS4800/5252 range, code 18E53 is a match its much darker than the pictures on the brochures, Paul posted. Also found some green under the Blue??? We have found a colour very close to the brochure colour called Arctic Blue, BS381 range, code 112. Also looking for the white as used on these Briggs engines, its quite a creamy white. Any help would be very useful. Here are a couple of pictures of the blue paint I found. This is the only decal I could find, I think Titch will have another little job in the not too distant future........

This mower was stripped down today, I found only one problem with it, a weld has failed on the deck where 2 parts meet. I've dropped that off to be ally welded, be ready before Friday. The rest of the painted parts are now with the blasters to remove all the "hammerite" Here's the bits ready to be loaded........

After cleaning out the fuel tank, carb and spark plug, removing the rust from the flywheel magnets and the magneto, it burst into life on the first pull! It runs really well with no nasty noises, smoke or any other problems. I will probably leave the engine alone, apart from a paint job. The rest of the mower has been stripped down. Here's a short video of it running http://youtu.be/jFnPX0sC-68 (excuse the audio, finger over the microphone)

Google 'Frost Products' They do various fuel tank treatments.......

Thanks for that Paul, If you could email those over that would be fantastic! They will help with getting the correct colour and scheme as its been 'hammerited' Its now home in the garage...... had a really nice day out in the sunshine on the beaches too!

Thats brilliant! Would love to see the pictures of the Gem and the Autoculto! Re entertaining....... There is a new addition to the machinery family, a Landmaster Saturn Lawnmower! Picking it up tomorrow, space for storing my projects is at best limited! So smaller ones will have to be sought.......

Hi Neil, its about 2 hours, but we will make it a day out too. Stop off somewhere along the coast, fish n chips on the beach, let the kids go mad for a bit, that sort of thing! Its a lovely bit of the coast too, from Portland to West bay is Chesil Beach. Then theres Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door.......

Ha ha ha! The most I've ever spent purchasing my machines is £15........

I've just won this one on the bay of E! At a very reasonable price too. A little drive down to just outside Bridport Dorset to collect tomorrow..... Here are the pictures from the auction site.

I have decided not to buy this machine. Its quite a lot for something which may not work.........

I've got the weekend off now so we will be there with the Gem!

Hi Paul, yes home without nodding off! still awake now.....coming up to 48 hours with only 3-4 hours sleep. Think I will sleep very well tonight! Thanks for today....... Here's the pictures I took today at Isfield, sorry for the glare on some, was a bit bright for the phone camera!

Evening guys...... We got home about an hour ago, after a steady drive via Brighton, a walk along Worthing seafront and Pier, a cheeky Burger King just outside Arundel........ Had a brilliant day out, really enjoyed meeting you all, putting faces to the names. Thank you for the welcome! We all had a lovely time. I will get my pictures on asap...... Thanks Steve...... and everyone who made the day enjoyable!

And dont forget a tiny part of Berkshire too!!!

Right, car now fixed, depending on costs might still be able to do this? Is there a charge to exhibitors, is the food reasonably priced or do you recommend bringing food? There will be me and the missus plus the 2 rugrats!!! Advice would be greatly appreciated?