mattblack

That axle/handle set up doesn't look too substantial, I bet rust claimed a lot if they were put away wet.

Yes, I got the filter bowl and other parts from Meetens, it looks like same bowl is used for both fixing types. I may get something to drive in due course, but I will be happy if it runs at all... Longer term It would be nice to put a little collection of different Villiers 4-strokes together for display, but I'm not really a 'club' person... I was supposed to pick up another (non - Villiers) project yesterday but my van had other ideas, so watch this space.

About 10 years ago I worked for a company that hired out groundcare equipment. I did a bit of everything, grinding cylinders, servicing machines, delivery/collection and on site repairs. A favorite reported fault on rotary mowers was 'vibrating'. When I got there the deck would have chunk missing, the engine would be hanging off and the crank would be bent... but 'We haven't hit anything, it must have been like that when you delivered it...' It was the same with the cutting unit arms on the big ride-ons.

Slowly coming together.

I've seen this several times on the site of a demolished factory and I'm intrigued as to what it is/was. It has a home made look to it, for some reason that housing on the front(?) makes me think mobile compressor. Whatever it is, I'd love to save those small wheels.

Better to get the plating done sooner rather than later... https://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/blog/events/eu-proposes-chrome-plating-ban

The Pathfinder was styled after the works DOHC single seater racing cars. EDIT: as expeatfarmer has said above. DOH!

Made a bit more progress. The carb was a bit crusty inside. looked like it may have had water sitting in it but it cleaned up OK. coming back together. Cleaned up the tank and cowling and filled the dents.

Thanks, having seen your work on here I really appreciate that! I hope it will run as good as it looks (actually, I just hope it runs)

Got a bit more done over the last few days. Head decoked and valves ground. Mag backplate cleaned up and new oil seal fitted. Block and head all cleaned up and painted.

Is the vacuum cleaner O&R powered...? Seriously, very impressive collection! (and a very nice shed).

Yes, 'Terry' leaf spring greaser. I'll leave the other one a while longer, but just say it's automotive.

Picked this MK 25 HS up yesterday, another ebay purchase. Exhaust and flywheel cover missing but for £15...

I don't know if it runs. I don't THINK there's anything wrong with it, just never used after the grounds maintenance was contracted out years ago. There were a couple of Hayter Harriers and IIRC a Ransomes Certes as well that got sold/given away. There's a trailer behind it as well.

This lives at work, it hasn't moved in the 9 1/2 years that I've been there. I'm not sure if the deck is still around or went in a scrap clearout.

I spotted this in this month's 'Street Machine' magazine, I know nothing about it apart from it was photographed at a drag race meeting at Sywell aerodrome, and I'm guessing that's a 4 cylinder bike engine and 'box... (is that a Honda logo?)

I know what these are, can you fathom out what they are for? First one is obviously a clamp, it was made years ago by my late father for a specific purpose. This one may be easy? Not the best photo, but there is a grease nipple on the left, and the threaded part is hollow.

Looks like a good turn out of varied machines. Can I ask what make the tiller(?) is on the right of the third photo (607) The reason I ask is there is a Villiers MK25 engine on ebay that looks to be the same colour and I wondered if it might be off the same machine?

Oh well, it has survived about 10 years of me hacking away at it in November, and in my defence it's really the O/H's allotment... Anyway, back to the important stuff... I was in 2 minds whether to strip the engine down further, but as I want to give the block a good clean and check the bearing shells I decided to at least take the piston/conrod out. Then I decided to take the crank out so I could change the oil seal, which was when the fun started... the bearing stayed on the crank, so it wouldn't come out the other side without taking the camshaft out... which wouldn't come out without taking the governor out... Piston rings rings look good, I hope my piston ring compressor goes down small enough. Shells and crank are good as well. Block ready for a good clean and paint. Will sort out a shopping list for Meetens next...

Had a week off work, so between changing the servo on my van, changing the oil and filters, pruning the plum tree at the allotment and picking up my MK12 engine I did a bit more... Stripped the paint off the tank and cowling, is the light green an undercoat or the original colour? (cowling is dark green inside) Tank will need a clean inside, a few nuts, some brake cleaner and a good shake should do it. Sump cleaned out (oil was clean, but there was a bit of sludge in it) Can't upload anymore photos in the this post so I will continue tomorrow...

"...almost entirely intact..." I think that's called 'journalistic license' Not to take anything away from the discovery and recovery of course, but I do wish people wouldn't use the term 'restoration' for projects like this. 'Recreation' is more like it. (just my take on it).

I picked this ebay purchase up today. I bought it because it was cheap, local and I liked the shape of the fuel tank and the Monro tiller data plate. It was listed as having no compression, if that's the case hopefully it will just be a stuck valve. On the plus side it seems all there. I will get stuck into it when I have done my MK15.

Thanks for that, I was beginning to think no one else could see my thread but me... I suppose the wire retainer being earlier would tie in with the 1958 build date? I have heard Meetens are very good for Villiers parts, but I can't see anywhere on their website to order online, do you have to ring/email them? I picked up another little project today, will start another thread about it shortly.

Engine has obviously had some attention in the past, bore still looks good with no wear ridge. Someone cared enough to do this brazed repair to the pulley, maybe to to get a bit more life out of it when it was a working engine? ...on the other hand, whoever made the new seals for the fuel cap and air filter only had cork effect vinyl floor covering to hand, and their teeth for tools. Valves look OK. Is this the date code? (IE March 1958)

I picked this engine up on ebay back in the summer as a winter project. After cleaning and setting the points and changing the HT lead and plug I got a good spark (much to my surprise, was sure the coil would be dead) so I have started stripping it for restoration. As you can see one thing I need is the air filter oil bath, however all the pictures I've found of other engines show it held on by 2 metal strips, rather than the wire retainer mine has. Does anyone know if they are interchangeable? I will take some pictures of where I am at now and post them up.