[charlie]

What’s the tractor in your profile image anyway? An Anzani maybe? In working order?
It is a Swiss made SIMAR rototiller. An ongoing project, the engine has had new crank seals (it is a 2 stroke) and a new big end roller bearing made, new cone clutch lining, magneto rebuilt and various other jobs. All paint and tin work are still original. It has run once but was a pig to get started so timing and fuel delivery need checking.

[charlie]

Over recent years I have noticed there is, or appears to be, a growing trend towards keeping machines original rather than the better than new restorations some seem to go for. As I remember someone saying to me, ‘its only original once’.

[charlie]

Another example of imperial threads still persisting. My neighbour brought round a fishing rod stand a couple of days ago, which he had managed to cross thread the end piece on. I found it was a BSF thread, I had expected a metric thread.

[charlie]

If only one head stud is damaged I would suggest using one of the others with a good thread to establish what the thread is. I have only worked on MK10,12,15 and 25 Villiers engines.

[charlie]

A full, good as new restoration with all new paint etc will be the most time consuming.
The minimum would be to repair and replace whatever is needed to get the Trusty running and working again. Which you choose will depend on what you plan to do with the Trusty eg use it as a working machine or a show only machine. I have to confess most of the machines in my collection are in working order but retain their original paint.

[charlie]

Machine s/n 350510 was despatched on 30-6-53 and delivered on 9-9-53 to Thornhill Nursery, Hinderwell, Yorkshire.

[charlie]

I use NGK A6 or Champion D16 or similar spark plugs. I have owners manual and parts list available as pdf files. I am also custodian of the factory records and can date machine from serial number 35????. Parts are not available although it may be possible to find some secondhand parts from machines broken for parts. Bearings and seals maybe obtainable from good suppliers. Do you need any specific parts?
Some of the original engineering drawings are held in the archives at Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) Reading. I have been helping catalogue them, until Covid19 put a stop to visiting the museum.

[charlie]

Is it a 14mm or 18mm plug?

[charlie]

Correction to my earlier comment regarding post. I found out today that only mail to Republic of Ireland is been sent at present, all other destinations are blocked due to Covid.

[charlie]

Also a couple of Planet Jnr seeders and the box they are delivered in.

[charlie]

Brexit and Covid should not impact on small parcels such as a head gasket which will probably go in the post. A good source of Villiers spares is Meetens.

[charlie]

I suspect the Fenland Ladies may be self isolating.

[charlie]

Very good.

[charlie]

I can appreciate how long the transfers must be taking from the small amount of photo editing I have done eg removing barrier ropes from photos of machines at shows to make a clearer picture for inclusion in The Cultivator.
I am intrigued as to what the chain drive on that Trusty in the photo is for.

[charlie]

I can appreciate how long the transfers must be taking from the small amount of photo editing I have done eg removing barrier ropes from photos of machines at shows to make a clearer picture for inclusion in The Cultivator.
I am intrigued as to what the chain drive on that Trusty in the photo is for.

[Author]

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