S1g 579 #1 Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) As a lot of you have seen on the other forum last year I aqquired a howard 800 which was a prototype replacement for the howard gem. However due to costs the machine never went into production. This will be a very slow project as it is in a shocking state and as most parts are unique it means everything has to be reconstructed. Possibly as few as 20 machines were built, and its likely only single figures still exist! It is also said that due to continual development work no two machines are the same. Edited February 1, 2014 by S1g Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #2 Posted January 30, 2014 One of the first jobs after checking the condition of the gears was to rub down and spray the gearbox with some high build primer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #3 Posted January 31, 2014 The biggest issue is the engine, or rather lack of it. Checking the factory records there's no mention of what machine had which engine fitted. Due to the experimental nature of the 800's it is very likely that the engines were switched round and round. After studying original litriture an talking to an ex howard employee it turns out there was 3 different options. Sachs 600 diesel, today very difficult to find and can be a bit temperamental. Howard's own twin cylinder 810 cc engine, I ruled out this option because it would require a front starting set up which I only ever seen one photo of one, and never any in the flesh. The 3rd option is a kohler k301 which is what I plumped for, as they are easy to find, -or so I thought! The first engine that I obtained had the Conrod gone. The next was this one which looked and felt ok till I took it apart, the long and short of it is that it is shot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #4 Posted January 31, 2014 I was promised another one at the start of the month,however to cut a long story short this is now not going to happen. I remembered then an ex fire brigade water pump that has sat in the hedge round the back of my work for 13 years after being robbed of most its external parts. I wasnt hopping for much but after removing the head I could see luck was on my side, the piston had stopped at tdc so it is very good internally just needing a new set of rings, as the old ones are seized in the groves. It will be a bit of a bitsa but should make a very good engine once sorted. 1 simar kid reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #5 Posted January 31, 2014 As can be seen the clutch was fit for scrap so I have rebuilt it, this machine has a twin plate set up, so in turn this means that the kohler crank extension with the longer lugs has to used. I dug through my spare and found one the correct spec. For good measure I also fitted a new centre berring. The nearest bell housing that I could find came off a standard gem, one of the mounting holes will need adapting to fit properly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #6 Posted February 1, 2014 It seems that many different wheel options were tried on the 800. Mine came with wheels similar in design to the standard gem. Allthough there was plenty of tread left on the existing tyres, through standing for so long they were very badly perished so a new set of Vedestrain and tubes were fitted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #7 Posted February 1, 2014 I allways think its the little details that make a restoration project so commished the reproduction of these Id plates. Not cheap at £45 each but I think it's money well spent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #8 Posted February 2, 2014 The chain case fitted to this machine was obviously a later replacement off a gem, originals it should of been plain, as you can see this one was just a bit beyond repair. I have ground the gem name off and rewelded a replacement cover up as new ones are no longer avaliable. Not the best photo but can just be seen at the top with a skim of filler to finish off. Whilst the welder was out I plugged all the holes in the tool box, here it is again with a Skim of filler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #9 Posted February 2, 2014 Nice work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 19 #10 Posted February 2, 2014 I like to see photos and read about other guys resto projects step by step. Great project - seems to be going well! Keep the updates coming and don't spare the detail. Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #11 Posted February 3, 2014 Am now waiting for a carb kit to come in from the states(about half the price of one in the uk) and also am waiting for some more off cuts of steel to finish the rotor shields off, this is why I allways keep a few projects on the go at once. 1 Lauber1 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mart 0 #12 Posted April 20, 2020 Dear S1g A Google search finds you restoring this H800, albeit a few years ago. Can I pick your brains please. Lockdown means I've got around to looking at an old Howard rotivator I inherited a few years back but know little about. It has a H800 serial number, and the only likeness I can see is of the very few H800 photos I can find. So I assume it is one of "the 20"-ish machines Any advice appreciated please. Martin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanA 0 #13 Posted November 1, 2020 Hi Martin, just messaged you. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
