[vhgmcbuddy]

I have found the area where the engine number should be but someone has ground the number away, but it still has the indentations on the underside of the metal, not quite readable.I would like to think the cowling has been taken from another engine as a replacement part and the numbers ground out to stop wrong identification of engine, but as the tractor recognition labels are also missing I have my doubts and learnt a lesson from my first attempt at renovating old machinery. I am now hoping that as the renovation progresses, a job for this coming winter any parts I need I can identify from the 1981 – 1985 parts diagrams. Thanks for your help once again.

Eric

[vhgmcbuddy]

Very smart, you must be chuffed with that Alan.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Many imperial bearings and seals can be bought online.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for the advice, but it appears that you can’t post onto their forums before you are a member.

I thought this forum covered lawnmowers or have I misread?

[vhgmcbuddy]

@ expeatfarmer

Yes I believe it is pretty original. I bought it over ten years ago, and ran it for a few years just dragging stuff, firewood and the like, around my place, which is on a fair slope. And I look forward to using it again for just that.
The track got stuck a few years back and I’ve just been too busy to deal with it, but have recently got my enthusiasm back… but have yet to try the engine again. Reckon it’ll still be OK though.
There’s a fair bit of gear with it as well, I’ll drag it out of the brambles and post a photo one of these days.
Thanks for your interest!
Jerry

[vhgmcbuddy]

Good day Steve
You may do better with assistance with the old lawnmower club as that’s what they are about.
Tony

[vhgmcbuddy]

Still haven’t found the engine number on the side of the cowling, it might be hidden by the petrol tank that raps itself around one side of the engine or hidden by the air filter on the opposite side. Engine is as shown in the early 1980’s parts lists and diagrams.

I have tried to establish a specific year from the parts list/diagrams by looking for simple changes in design like how the dash board lights are mounted. Change from shaped petrol tank engine mounted to square bulk head tank mounted by the side of the battery, but I guess the Westwoods design developed continually between years and I won’t be able to pin point a year until I find that all important number and as mentioned replacement parts or mods could have been installed. All of your suggestions and links have been very helpful.
Thank you all for your help.
Eric.

[vhgmcbuddy]

You might find this link interesting. I hope it works.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beltingonline.com%2Fgarden-machinery-belts-80%2Fby-manufacturer-102%2Fmanufacturers-m-z-124%2Fwestwood-851%2Fwestwood-parts-manual-850%2F&ei=00GQVa_YGoT5UIXjmJgB&usg=AFQjCNEasoa8d2T32yYNWStOXD5ydA3wEg&sig2=TlGxecSCe7mJeS-SUKDowQ

[vhgmcbuddy]

Where the spring is fitted in the second photo it’s a larger hole so when the rotavator was repaired they must have thought the throttle cable had to go in the largest hole.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Dave
I’m happy that you have put it on your register. For info. the engine no. is 3699184.
Thanks for your offer of help, as I said my priority at the moment is finding sources of spares before I start.
Jerry

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the tips. I’ve been in touch with Neil and he is able to supply me with a diaphragm, which is good news. 🙂
That hopefully will allow the delivery of fuel to the carb. It is strange that there is no evidence of a TVO tank. So yes, I assume it will run OK on petrol..

Does anyone have any advice on things I should check with regards to the magneto? It does seem to spark, but perhaps not every time when turning over.

Cheers

James

[vhgmcbuddy]

This is the video on youtube

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks again Charlie.

The project continues…

Rebuilt engine fitted.
All oil drained and refilled.
Grease nipples filled and tyres pumped up.
Cutter bar fitted and blades adjusted as well as possible.

It started first pull and cut tall grass well without quite shaking itself apart!

Sadly a quickly deflaing tyre stopped play.

So to the next phase…

2 tyres and tubes on order.

Anyone any idea where to obtain a set of the curved brackets that press down onto and retain the blade. Mine are worn to the point of almost being useless?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi all,

I have a weekend free in a few weeks which I plan to use to see if I van get the crawler running. A spark plug has been obtained and the oil has been ordered.

Given that my fuel pump seems to be knackered can anyone point me in the direction of a new diaphragm, overhaul kit or a known working pump replacement?

Anything else I need to have in stock ready? A friend mentioned about greasing the bendix on the magneto. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Many thanks Charlie.
Yes it is the Mk12 and as far as I can tell it is a 15 and the belts have been ordered.

Apologies for doing things a bit backwards but I was keen to get going on sorting things out…

I am a Norfolk based allotment holder that is fed up with digging!
The Monrotiller series 3 that I got running a few years ago is very good at chopping up the weeds but that is about all, so I thought I would invest in something that I could plough with, hence the Atom.
I acquired a non runner (not much compression) a couple of weeks ago and it came with a plough and a cutter bar along with a few assorted bits and pieces.

First look at the engine showed a good spark and a possible little end knock so out with the spanners. The only thing found amiss was a badly sooted and corroded exhaust valve.
An hour or so with the grinding paste along with some new rings and big end shells (might as well as it is all in bits) should see the Mk 12 going again.

Looking more closely I found that the movement of the hubs was the hubs on the axle rather than the hubs themselves. A strip down found very little in the way of both wear and muck in the ratchets. I think the first was down to luck and the second was down to the lack of grease.
The axle is also worn where it passes through the gear box, giving what appears to be a worrying amount of movement, but by inserting the un worn axle ends and wiggling I can see that the bearings have no movement.

I don’t intend to do anything to the gear box except to drain and refill with oil.

The wobbly plough wheel appears to be down to wear between the shaft and the wheel, I will have to see what I can do in the way of bushes or re machining to reduce the wobble.

Next on the list will be to have a closer look at the cutter drive and bar.

The advice now required is…

Is it worth flushing the gear box out with anything to clean it before refilling it with the correct oil?

Is it worth stripping down the cutter drive before I try to use it, or just give it a good dose of grease and see what happens?

Is there a recognised way of setting up the reciprocating cutters or is it just a case of fiddling to get a compromise between performance and friction?

Once again, many thanks for the advice.
Simon (Poxihen – don’t ask!)

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