[vhgmcbuddy]

I will do a bit of research on the manufacturing period for your machine.
I acquired the manual that I scanned in around 1979 or 80 when a large local dealership was closing down and all their manuals were dumped in a heap in a corner of the workshop. A deal was done with the liquidator’s man on site before a two day auction of stock and equipment. I had an Escort estate at the time and it was two trips with the seats down and headlights pointing skywards!
Anyway, back to the subject. The manual was well used and grubby in 79 and makes reference to Mk2s which suggests that the model may have been around in the 60s or even earlier.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Ok, I give up, but re the Gem, someone had to take the supervisory role.

[vhgmcbuddy]

chris thats my mate alex driving it i couldnt take the picts and drive, my arms arnt long enough, john i do have a plough its converted from an iron horse one to fit my 3 point linkage

[vhgmcbuddy]

Can you Identify the engine, I can obtain carbs at sensible prices for GX-120 thru to GX390

[vhgmcbuddy]

Junglejim

Sorry for delay, not keeping up to date with posts, let me know your email and I can send you the workshop manual and owner’s manual. Lings at pretty good for finding spares to fit these, and I can give you a contact name, but new Honda parts are expensive!!

Alan, I’m not sure the carb you have shown will fit, but anyway, the problem would be that the F80 carb has got a governor.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Angus: thanks for the tip, I’ll get some of that and give it a change, hopefully it’ll stop trying to smoke me out then!! Yes, the starter pulley is hand made from wood, it works well just wrapping the cord around and giving it a good pull!! Roughly what age do you think it is then?

Snr: you only got the “old man” because a little further up I was referred to as “the boy” as I recall, when putting the chain back on the gem it was you “fetching the spanners” and me doing the work, “the boy” status should be more aimed at you…. Mind you, that would make me the “old man”…….

[vhgmcbuddy]

The “old man”, as you so inappropriately put it, only has SAE40, which if you carry on in that fashion will be liberated over your head and not in the mower……

[vhgmcbuddy]

Can’t argue with that-always assuming that the sticker is original!
Personally I would still go for SAE30 in a worn engine of that age.
The starter pulley looks as though it is home made – is it made from wood? We used to see a few 14s and 16s in the late 70s and early 80s and I remember that the recoil starters seemed to be a bit fragile but maybe only because the engines were worn and the starters were taking a pasting!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks again Angus, I’ll definitely clean it out. The only reason I was going for 20/50 is that it’s on the sticker on the side! Hopefully the “old man” will have some suitable for it!!

Attachments:

1. 

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’d go for a straight 30 or even 40. Multi grades were not around when that engine was made. Quite probably ring and or valve guide wear but a clean of the crankcase/valve chest breather may help and is free!

[vhgmcbuddy]

If I’ve done it right, I’ve added Jr’s video.

Thanks dad, works a treat!

[vhgmcbuddy]

That is a massive help, thank you for that Angus. I checked the oil this morning and it does seem very thin (and clean) so I’m going to change it at somepoint soon with the 20/50 it should have and see if the smoking improves….

[vhgmcbuddy]

If I’ve done it right, I’ve added Jr’s video.

Attachments:

1. Video.mov

[vhgmcbuddy]

Yes, I’ve got a parts list for the engine and I will scan and post a Dropbox link to it later. May be useful to talk to Paul at Meetens.

Here’s the link. The original is a bit grubby!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tk9cf88kskzg1pv/Ransomes%2014%20Villiers%2065cc0001.pdf

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for looking, I don’t suppose anyone has any information on the villiers engine fitted to this? It looks like I could do with some rebuild parts if I can find them to stop it smoking

[Author]

Posts