Almost completed this little project, just have one problem I hope someone can help with....... The flippin thing won't start!!! Grrrrr!!!
To recap whats been done....... To try to eliminate these sort of problems I have replaced both worn crank bearings, fitted 2 new crank seals, resealed the joint between the 2 crank case halves. Made and fitted a new gasket with a smear of sealant between the crank case and barrel, replaced the seal on the crank case drain. It has a new spark plug, a new condensor and new points. The coil tested fine and there is a good strong spark. The points are just opening at 3/32nds before tdc and gapped to .018' The carb fitting is tight with no signs of an air leak there........ The carb itself is clean and has no leaks, however, I'm not sure how to set the float on the Amal 379. There is a notch on the float pin, but the float seems to sit really low when it's at that point, not really allowing much fuel into the bowl. I've tried different points on the pin but still no luck.........
Having spent the day trying to start it, i'm pretty close to taking the club hammer to it!
Ordered up some 4mm rubber sheet to remake the soil flap at the rear of the rotor cover. Once cut and fitted, I placed the cover back on the machine....
Overhauled the drive and rotor unit at the front. Washed out the dirty oil and water in the parts washer..... Dried it out with the airline and refilled with EP free sae80 gear oil....... Then attached to rest of the machine.
Had a doubt about the crank bearings in the little JAP, so bought new ones along with seals to be satisfied there would be no problems later. Got it all back together and fitted to the frame of the Gardenmaster.....
Done a little more to this over the last couple of days...... The frame has been stripped, etch primed and painted. Once dry I made a start putting it back together......
The engines air shroud, starter recoil, fuel tank and bracket then had the same treatment. But as its metallic, the final finish is two part, base coat and clear lacquer. Once the base coat was dried sufficiently I painted the raised JAP logo to highlight it and then applied several light coats of clear. I really like the colour used on these little JAP engines, this was matched by my local paint supplier....... It's a nice contrast to the blue of the rest of the metal work. Here they are in base coat and then once cleared.
After the engine was finished with today, I made a start on removing the old green paint from various bits........ The rotovator cover and exhaust shroud were given the usual treatment, paint stripper, wire brush, etch primer, and then several coats of blue!
I did a bit more to the Gardenmaster today...... The engine had a leak between the barrel and crankcase, so I removed separated them and cleaned all the old sealer away. I then made a new gasket and refitted with a smear of RTV sealant. I then repaired a small split in the exhaust and gave it a clean up to remove the rust. Once all that was done it was degreased and then sprayed with an appropriate heat resistant exhaust paint. I then gave the barrel a light dust with some dark grey spray paint to tidy it up.
Alas...... There is some blue under the green paint! That's despite a previous owners best attempt to disguise the machine. The only bit not stripped to bare metal and repainted was the bit behind the engine......
Good job I bought 2 cans of blue today! Although I had already decided to make it match my other Landmasters........
I could always tell them it was 'patented Landmaster anti-theft colour' Park it down the allotment amongst the greenery and the local 'do as you likies' wouldn't see it!!!😂😂😂
I've been looking for traces of blue paint today, I have never seen one of these in 'Green' before, most are either the metallic blue or the same Blue as my Saturn mowers. I don't seem to be able to find any previous colour, I've checked under nuts and bolts, behind the makers plate, beneath the handlebar rubbers, everywhere! This is also painted straight onto the bare metal, no primer, leading me to think could this be the original colour? Any help with this would be very much appreciated! I have a can of this green already mixed ready for painting. Also have had some of the JAP engine Blue mixed and ready.
Was wondering why there was no spark? Seems to be some bits missing? A previous owner had removed the points and condenser and fitted a Meco unit...... The stator plate might cause a few problems as the threads to mount the points on has been stripped, Hopefully Paul at Meteens has a replacement!
Tested the coil today and it's good, therefore it has to be the Meco unit. I'm going to put it back to points and condenser and have ordered the new bits from Meteens.
There were a few other issues with this one, someone had attempted to remove the flywheel with a hammer and chisel, bending the light alloy shield around the flywheel and causing it to rub against the flywheel. The recoil and housing was missing too, but Mr Mackellow has sent me a replacement for that.
This is my latest muse...... It arrived just before I came to a halt with the Farmer's Boy tractor....... It was given to me by a work colleague for free! He had been using until about 6 months ago when it just stopped and refused to restart. Initial inspection suggested a dirty carb and fuel tank, however once cleaned and refueled it still wouldn't go! So I dug a little deeper, after removing the air shroud and flywheel I noticed there was NO points or condensor. There was what turned out to be a Meco electronic ignition fitted, but this was dead, absolutely no spark whatsoever. I guess the coil could be at fault, not got around to testing that yet.
Back to the machine named in the title........ The farmers Boy ratchet springs arrived yesterday...... A perfect copy of the originals and plenty of spares too!
AN OLD RESTORATION
in Ride On's
Posted
I'd contact Titch at Machinery decals..... it might be with a member of his president forum???