Stormin

Coming on nicely, Ewan. BTW. Workshop wall looks like mine. Not finished painted.

Well done, Charlie.

Nothing really worth photographing, Chris. Besides, my hands were dirty.

Valve clearances set, Cover/breather re-assembled. Had to make a new gasket. Engine back in place and drive pulley, P.T.O. and drive belt cover back on. Carb cleaned and checked. Wiring reconnected. Started on lapping the head. Ordered a head gasket and it should be here Monday or Tuesday. In the meantime, carb to be re-fitted and as the exhaust/silencer fell apart, I suppose I'll have to make a new one.

Looking good, DJ.

Valves nicely lapped in and reassembled. Great fun getting the collets back in place. Even with the engine on it's side. Also disassembled the tappet cover and cleaned the filter that lives in there. Points also removed, cleaned and replaced.

Two wires to each switch. Just join the two off each switch together.

Thanks Chris. Wasn't sure if it came apart or not and didn't want to force it.

Flushed out the tank and drained the carb float bowl. Strange light green liquid in the bowl. All back together and fresh petrol in. Connected the battery and turned the key. Fired up and ran. Briefly! Turned the key and the engine spun but didn't restart. But there was a slight tinkling noise. Turned the engine by hand and it turned easily. Turned the other way and it locked up. So I took the head off. Piston at top of cylinder and didn't move when engine turned. But I could push it down by hand. I think the con rod has come loose or broke. I went to see the man I got it off and he refunded some of my money. So the raider has been tucked away, till I've time to investigate.

Safety switch? What safety switch? I can see if the P.T.O. is engaged or not.

That's not bad considering the ground. Just needs going over with disc's then rotavating.

Pity we didn't know. we'd have been round for a brew.

I made my own quick attach for the rear of my C-125. Simple to do.

Don't really know what I'm going to do with it, Chris. Several ideas going through my head.

Your driving on the wrong side, Koen.

Collected a '75 Raider 10 today with side discharge cutting deck. Engine supposedly OK, but gears cannot be selected. The idea is to eventually restore it, or make something special. The engine will go into the C-125 while the 12hp off that is rebuilt. Below photo's of as collected. Not to bad I suppose, seeing as it's been stood outside for a number of years. The deck has not fared as well. But I think it can be rescued eventually. First thing was to blow the tyres up to make it easier to push about. Next a good pressure wash. Strangely there's red paint under that blue. Then it was up onto the work bench. Just to see what would happen, I connected a battery. Turned the key and the engine spun easily. I did check the oil first. Cleaned and checked plug and points and got a nice healthy spark. Here is when I found throttle and choke cables/controls, very, very stiff. Never mind, choke fully open, throttle halfway, squirt petrol into the carb, turn key and...... It fired up and ran for a second or two. While I set too on the controls, I left the old petrol in the tank to drain. Have no idea how old it is, but I've never seen golden brown petrol before. Well, not out of a plastic tank. That's it for now.

I thought I'd need a new exhaust valve, due to the state of it. But while collecting the Raider 10, the chap who I was getting it off, refurbished it for me. That's saved me a couple of bob.

From America? That include postage?

Where from, Mark?

All the best, Lads.

The Auto Culto's we have are good enough, Andrew. I doubt a Brinly would be any better.

Thanks. I'll have a look, Chris . I need to get info on these Kholer engines. Never worked on one before.

Well done Chris. I said you'd enjoy it.

Took the engine out today after taking the head off. Bore looks good, but not measured it yet. Bit of wear on the valve side. Exhaust valve looks well past it's sell by date. Inlet is ok, as are both valve seats. Considering the state of the exhaust valve, I would have expected that to be bad as well. Pretty clean in there except round the exhaust valve. Head gasket was leaking oil. As was the other head gasket. Yes! You read that right. Two head gaskets. Head does look a little warped, front to back. Next, tractor off the bench and engine lifted out. Found another use for the ambulance I made for Newby Hall last year. Off for a wash. Nice and clean now.

Compared it with the Black Horse, Koen. But with using oil and the suspect leak of head gasket, I think a look see inside is due.