[andyfrost]

Great news Alan , I know how much your machines mean to you, Sadly I suspect the lowlife that took them will walk away with a mere bit of finger wagging.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Firstly , thoroughly clean the points , it can be done without removing them if you’re careful. Ask your good wife if you can just borrow her nail file (the emery board type) and use the fine one only , they usually have more of these than we have spanners , a few careful strokes should get them clean enough.
Finish by passing a clean piece of card through the points.
All being well you “should” now have a spark , always test for one direct from the end of the HT lead , you can test for a spark with the flywheel in any position.
Try this and report back.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

As above , BIDE your time and don’t rush things , at least you have nothing to lose , being fourstroke with aluminium piston I would say your chances of recovery are very good.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

And mine , MANY thanks to all involved.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

First and foremost , remove the Magnetos , and have them properly tested , your local reputable garden machinery dealer should have a purpose built ignition tester.
Spares for the various Wico mags are readily available.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Wise move Geoff , you’ll part with far less sweat starting it.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

“The E and AE have a wico magneto 56A not.”

Strange , every 56A I’ve seen have had wico magnetos.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Jon , they plough surprisingly well , I did all my winter ploughing with mine , BEAUTIFULLY balanced , and they grip really well.
I would assume your latest one must be one of the last made , I saw it had the CJ type magneto , and the later type choke arrangement.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Was that the one on the auction site? , that one had a conventional GP plough…only one I’ve seen , mine along with two others that I’ve seen have a quite weird digger type plough.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Glad to hear you have her up and running. The 700 was without doubt the best machine Howard ever made.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

“Starting to wonder if fuel is leaking at the fuel pump into the sump”

I would say that is definately your problem.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Sorry to hear of your problems , let’s hope things turn for the better for you.
As regards to your ModelL , sadly what we spend on our machines can never be clawed back when and if we decide to sell them , we just have to be prepared for a loss , and a substantial one at that.
Best of luck with your sale.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

“Having cut my teeth rebuilding a Trusty, the Simar is in a different league when it comes to complexity!!”

And engineering standards, although as you say they are quite complex .

Andy.

[andyfrost]

I’m fairly certain the 300 was discontinued before Briggs introduced their magnetron range of engines , so as Geoff says it will , or at least should have the conventional , Coil and points/condenser.
Very cheap and easy to replace , a very good and novel idea from Briggs , replacing the condenser means you have brand new points to go with it!!

Andy.

[andyfrost]

How new was your “new” condenser , there are some sharks around selling 50 year old ones as new stock.
First and foremost in my book on any problem is to have the ignition system PROPERLY TESTED , get it tested/repaired , try it , and report back to us.

Andy.

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