Got it all back together after a complete tear down and rebuild. This thing has some serious compression now. Maybe I’ll have some time this week to fire it up for a few minutes.
Wow John, that is really nice! I thought that might what you’ve been up to lately and I’ve been anxious to see the progress. Very impressive, especially for just a bunch of eye-balling! Cant wait to see the final post with a video of you riding it around!
I’m definitely getting faster with these unless there’s something a little unusual or tedious like the re-wire job on the Tiny Tiger. You’re absolutely right though, I got just enough stuff removed that it was better just to go all the way. Plus, it’s always nice to know what condition everything is in everything and to know it’s all put back together correctly. I may try to run it for a couple minutes when I’m done. Now that I’ve got it all apart I don’t think this one has seen a whole lot of use, insides look actually look pretty nice with very little carbonization. Probably ran just long enough and without water to ruin the pump and then off to the shelf...
It started as just a surface cleaning and then all the sudden there’s this big pile of parts
The unit had a really strong smell of cigarette smoke, it’s amazing that even metal soaks that in. I should have this all apart today and will give everything a good clean and lube. Not sure if I’ll try to start the engine when I’m done, probably not. This one has the plastic bearings so no need to risk it. There’s just something satisfying about knowing the engine will run though, even though it’s mainly eye candy for display.
It also looks like it was exposed to something slightly corrosive so the paint is’t going to clean up to pristine when it’s done but it’ll still look nice.
There was one like the Orline pump on epay with an electric motor for $40 but the idiot couldn't figure out how to remove one screw on the shaft and the mount bolts to separate the electric motor.
I tried reaching out to this seller a few times as well, it’s too bad really - it look so like a decent unit to start from for a conversion to O&R powered.
There is another one on there now but it has the cart and everything. Shipping is crazy...
Found one of these compressors for sale here locally. It has the original electric motor but I’m debating on maybe getting it and doing a similar O&R conversion.
I realized after it was too late that I forgot to take a picture of the wiring before it went back together, just got carried away in the moment trying to get it all done.
@CNew you do have the Polaris power head & attachments over in the US, probably just as hard to find as the Tarpen Mini engine power head is over here.
I’ve only seen photos on this forum of the Power Pole that has the outboard, tiller and snowblower attachments, unfortunately I don’t have one...
My mum and sister wanted some raised beds made for the garden. As we are still in lockdown we had to use materials we already had. We created a video of building them which features lots of Bolens action with the 1962 Bolens Ride-a-matic
Very cool! That specific model of Bolens is one of my all time favorites. I missed out on a nice one while I was in Minnesota. Great to see it running so well and getting out to use!
The Comet pump arrived today. Unfortunately it’s missing the ignition coil cover and the actual pump mechanism but it’s still great to be able to add this to the collection and round out the Comet tools.
Ohlsson & Rice: Comet Pump
in Ohlsson and Rice
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Yep, the foil worked great! The manifold is the original. It has a few little spots that are permanent but overall it cleaned up pretty well.
Had to put heat shrink on all the coil wires since they were so stiff and brittle and cracked at the bends.