[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you Chris. I hope to build on the success of this year. All who attended this year have said they would like to return next year. I have a few ideas to improve the section for next year.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Just looked at 3 gems I have to hand in the workshop.
The jap one has type A1041BZ
The British Junior one has type A948B
The twin cylinder one has type A1483H
All of these run well.
In my own experience though these old engines will run on just about any mag of this size. So long as youve got a good spark I’d stick it on and see what happens.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Unfortunately I can’t get it to move, the only thing I can think of is to burn it out, but am a bit worried about damaging this type of tank as it was only available pre 1944.

[vhgmcbuddy]

IT WILL ONLY RUN FOR A MAXIMUM OF 1 AND HALF MINUTES ONCE I HAVE TURN THE TAP BACK ON TO PETROL.

That could possibly be the case of it to hot but it still a pig to start when the manifold is Luke warm. I have to fill the carb three or four times with petrol and drain it out then it will start after some time.

I am making my own tvo using 28 second Kerro at the ratio of 3 gallons of Kerro to one gallon 95 petrol with a splash of redex in. Seems to run sweet as anything on the mix it’s just the changing back.

It runs on petrol but gets very hot and will not ideal or run slow enough to select gears hear some people just run on straight petrol, but I’d like to keep her on tvo.

Stew

[vhgmcbuddy]

Yes I turn the tap back to petrol to fill the carb back and flush the lines but after a minute or so it cuts out and have to drain the carb and flush it by hand

[vhgmcbuddy]

Also thinking back I had some Wacker weights cast from originals about 15 years ago, it was a firm in Bristol, but I’m sure they shut up shop when the old boy retired. Wasn’t that expensive, but after all this time can’t remember the exact costs involved.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Could a very good welder perhaps tig it?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Given that the Wico 955 was the original magneto for the Howard “Gem” and we know that they will work with other Wico mags. Can I ask other owners of “Gems” with the Howard B.J. engine if they can let me know what number of WIco mag they have fitted to their machine? I ask because I have a couple of other “Wico” mags, and I would like to know which ones members have used on their “Gems” Plonker

[vhgmcbuddy]

The BSA 120cc coil can be very temperamental I did have a couple of scrap engines that I weighed in a couple of months ago. I wish there was somewhere that I could of advertised them so someone could of had some use of them for nothing but I needed them gone ASAP and couldn’t wait for the cultivator to come out and people I find generally mess about to much on eBay. If I find anymore I’ll let you know and you can have them but I’ve nearly got to the bottom of my clear out. I think George at villiersparts had some at one time, maybe worth a try?

[vhgmcbuddy]

You are a total muppet if you cant tie down a load. You should not be towing a trailer if you cant

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’ve got some business in the area in a couple of months time, so was going to call by.I find that you often get a better response in person, I’m hopping that they may have some records as to who they sold it to?

[vhgmcbuddy]

It took about 3 hours to get the rear rotor covers to line up. Some of this was caused by poor manufacturing process which is a little disappointing considering how much they cost and some of it was caused by trying to fit them to a machine they weren’t designed to fit. I also fitted a new decal and a new brass plate that I’d had made.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

After the paint had set for a few days I started to build the old girl back up. After connecting up the handles and gear rods I’m pleased to report that all gears seem to select properly. I also highlighted some black bits and fitted the closest match I could find to the original grips.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

The starting handle rotating sleeve was sized as usual so this was got very hot. After prepping a few items I then sprayed most the loose parts. I also gave the rotor covers a rub down and another blow over as I wasn’t happy with the finish I’d got before.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

One of the items missing from this gem was the chain cover, early ones were plain with no adjuster cut out. They are like hens teeth, however I luckily had one in my store but it was quite battered and corroded. It took about a weeks worth of work to straighten.

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