[andyfrost]

I seem to recall they were a sort of maroon colour , (rather a similar shade to the small Clifford rotavators) and powered by the small 65cc BSA engine.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

I’ve waited a few days to reply , I’m rather surprised that none have been forthcoming. The original question was regards to the Bux (Shay) 120cc twostroke engine. I feel it difficult to believe that it has in any way a connection with Villiers , it doesn’t share one common component found on any Villiers engine, likewise the actual design.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Geoff , you may well be correct regarding the sourcing of various parts from a number of different manufacturers. One BSA part need not make it a BSA engine.
I recall many years back doing the mechanical work on a Scammel fire pump engine for a chap , I fitted some new big end shells in it , a perfect fit straight out of the packet…….their listed fitment was for a Hillman Imp. Mr Childs may well throw some light on this mystery, there are few people , if any , that know more about British engines than him.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Geoff , there may be one minute clue there , the pic of what I’m assuming is a big end shell has the prefix 86 stamped into it.
86 was a prefix number used by BSA in alot of their part numbers , I may be miles of track , and it could even be a hepolite number.
I t would be well worth your while speaking to Paul Childs at Meetens , and quoting him that part number to see if it matches anything to do with BSA.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

I’m leaning on the side that it could well be Albions own engine , you may well have a prototype that never actually got onto production.
Albion made a vast number of products , remember they even made pistols for the war effort , they seemed to be able to turn their hands to almost anything , so a stationary engine would not have been beyond them.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Geoff , that may not be the original magneto , it could well have been fitted with a A series from new. it may be worth checking all the users of the A series mags ….just a thought.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Have you checked the thread rates , that would give some sort of start. I would agree with Angus , it’s as far from a Villiers as I’ve ever seen.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Brett , have they actually tested it , stripping and re-assembling is pointless if the coil or condenser is failing.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

The first port of call for me would be to have your magneto properly tested , a wise old saying “90% of fuel problems are ignition related”.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Angus , I’m only guessing that they were an in house made engine , based purely on the fact that I have never seen them fitted to any other form of machinery , like many others they sourced in the ignition and carbs.
Nice little engines when running , but the Miller ignitions were troublesome.

Andy

[andyfrost]

Peter , only my personal opinion , but I always laid it down to the fact that ploughing with it never “loaded” the engine up enough , i never once had it really pulling hard enough to even the engine out.
Also I would have thought that crankcase compression would not allow oil from the gearbox to pass into the engine once running.
At the end of the day , it’snot something I would lose any sleep over.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Howard Gem , obviously not in the original colour scheme.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

MK25C is the model , the carb is a very simple affair to clean , if after this your problems persist I would be checking the ignition timing.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Hi , have you checked the float for holes/leakage , not uncommon on the s12 carb. Failing this it’s either the needle or seat , very easy to fit on this carb.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

“Undid the nut but after a turn or so it went tight.” ,

That’s perfectly normal , just keep undoing the nut , the idea being it acts as a self puller ,best to use a PRECISE fitting socket and bar, you may find that you will need a hammer to initially get it moving.

Andy.

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