pmackellow

New test stand ready to go...

Now that I have the “J” engine mounted on display, I decided to make another stand for engine testing. Just finished up drilling and tapping the holes as well as the grinding and sanding. I’m going to use the nice spongy wide footprint vibration damping feet on this one.  Hopefully I can paint it this week.
 

Thought I would test out an idea on this gas tank repair on the cheap since I’ve got it opened up. When I heated the bottom to loosen the epoxy seal the heat deformed the plastic cone that holds the fuel filter screen on the end of the pickup tube.  I basically modified a 1/8 x 1/8 compression fitting. I drilled out the center so it could slide on the pickup tube all the way through to make it adjustable and easier to set it at the right position just above the bottom of the tank base plate. I then punched out a 1/4” piece of fuel screen and secured it all in place.

Finally got the “J” mounted for display. I’ve got it bookending my workbench on one side and the cut-away engine on the other.
 

All back together now...
 

Happy birthday mate have a good one
 
 

Not exactly what I thought I would be working on next but I picked this up yesterday from a guy out in the desert. It has such a great sweaty patina and I’m going to try to preserve it as much as possible. I plan to go through it and hopefully get all the internals fixed up and in good working condition but only do minimal cleaning to the rest of the unit. Something about this one just has a great look to me the way the age and color have changed over time.
 
I started dismantling in and ran into my first problem. I can’t seem to free the generator rotor shaft from the crankshaft. I’ve tried the usual things like smacking the mounting bolt, etc. but nothing is working.  Does anyone else have any ideas?  At first I thought I was going to get lucky with the wiring because it looked intact but after closer inspection several wires are cracked entirely in half and I can see the expected corrosion. So I’ll have to re-do that too. I’m going to have to find another bearing as well
 
 

You mean this one, it was just delivered about 30 minutes ago  
Unfortunately it did not come with a tank mounting bracket or air cleaner. Otherwise it is fresh NOS.
 
Also found the warranty card and operation pages hidden away in the box.  The engine itself was wrapped in the comics section of the newspaper dated Dec 1959.

Back together and out of the workshop 
 
 
 

After seeing CNews fantastic mower project it got me thinking...
 
I had a spare O&R engine in stock and a very sad looking Nash Boadicea mower with a tired JAP 34 on it...
 
It's not finished yet, just a bit of fun using what bits I have in stock...
 
 
 
 

While not unusual or anything I was happy to land a NOS military engine with the original box and packaging for the tank and air cleaner. This engine is pretty much pristine and never been used.  Best part was I got it at good price.

Now in its new home...
 
 



 

I think its about time for an addition to the shed it looking a little cramped these days. Maybe a second store ?

Now in its new home...
 
 



 

just received confirmation 2020 show is cancelled not a surprise as most of show was indoors

Are that green handle sets it all off well Paul. I would call that a success 👍

Back together and out of the workshop 
 
 
 

No set screw on mine. Turns out it just had multiple cir-clip retainers. I was able to get the shaft and pulley removed along with the two bearings.  Now the fun begins, trying to find new bearings...

pmackello,
   Is that a Cub Cadet 70/100 in the background?
 
 

Nice job Paul.    Think I saw a Boadicea at John's during the clear out., could that be the one. ? 

Again, a perfect fit for an O&R. Looks great Paul !
I really like that so guess I gotta look for a small mower now.

Back together and out of the workshop 
 
 
 

A few more progress photos...
 
 
 

 

 

Back together and out of the workshop 
 
 
 

I’ve been wanting to dig into this one for awhile. Finally got it 97% disassembled. The main bearing on the blade pulley is a little raw. Would be best to replace it or at least get at it to put some bearing grease in there. I’m not sure how the roller spindle comes apart. There looks to be a clip holding the back of the shaft but it also seems like it may have some sort of taper fit like a crank shaft. Has anyone had one of these off before, any photos or tips?  
 
Someone has been inside this machine a few times. There were all sorts of make-shift gaskets and seals, horrible job. Worst part about the whole thing is the spark plug threads in the head are completely stripped out.  I mean, how hard is it to thread in a spark plug? If you can’t do that then you should definitely NOT be operating a gas powered circular saw! The coil is also going to need some TLC, wires are all cracked and split. There was also a pretty terrible splice job on the power button.