[vhgmcbuddy]

The advice to get a thread gauges and thread guide is good advice, one Imperial and one Metric will cover any eventualities, plus in my case a Jewelers eye glass to see! It can be confusing for example the petrol tap on a Villiers engine is not 3/8″ BSF or UNF, it is in fact 1/8″ Pipe thread, thats why you need a Thread Gauge! Plonker

[vhgmcbuddy]

Another query if I may? It’s definitely a Model T and according to MERL (very helpful) it was manufactured in 1947. The ‘working Instructions’ for the Model ‘T’ that I have suggest Castrol XL for the engine and machine lubrication and “In countries where it is impossible to obtain Castrol XL, any oil complying to specification S.A.E 50 may be used”.

Castrol XL appears to be SAE 30, so is SAE 30 or SAE 50 the correct oil to use in both, or doesn’t it matter? As the scythe and I are both of the same age, I would quite like to ensure that I do it no damage!

Tony DW

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks everyone – this is all most helpful and something I must begin to get my head around.
Certainly need to get a set of thread gauges and the Zeus tables
I have contacted NAMRICK (thanks hortiman) who were very helpful too.

I could have re-used the original ones, but they were such a pain to get out, that they are quite beaten up (I am changing the tine seals on my mk1 clifford).
I now have new seals, new felt washers and so hopefully with new bolts we will be back up and running with no oil leaks by spring!

I will post some pictures at a later date in case any one else needs to tackle the same job.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Purchase a set of thread gauges (see pic below). I have this set which covers Whitworth and Metric threads. I also have another set for UNC/UNF. They normally cost about £5. I never enter the shed without mine!!

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[vhgmcbuddy]

The engine very occasionally will now burst into healthy life but stop after a few seconds otherwise it won’t start

Spinning it with my electric drill shows that spark voltage is only 4kvolts. Seems far too low to me. Apart from a new mag coil (25055) is there any cure?
And if not where can get a good one from?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks Charlie. I knew it might be complicated, but not that complicated.
The replacements were UNC and to be honest I was just taking a stab in the dark.

What would be the easiest way to identify the one I have? Is there anywhere I could send one to to be matched? Sorry for all the questions.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you both for your help. Pretty sure now that it is a ‘T’ as Chris’s clues all match, and MERL (thank you Charlie) are going to let me have the manufacturing date.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Sound like a Model T

A model TS has guards over the axles protecting the clutch. TS models you have to pull the clutch lever up to make the machine drive. Model T you have to drop the lever down. These have internal Clutch & is narrower than a TS model

R means you have ratchet drive on the axles so you can steer the beasts

I had 20 Allen Scythes at one point!! Now just paper work as easier to store!

Chris

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks, you are a life saver for my machine

[vhgmcbuddy]

Many thanks for this. It certainly looks a lightweight. Does it have a numbertype other than 512/515 there is plate on it saying 103E I think
The timing info was useful but didn’t give the actual values for this engine. I think the data is on page 7. Any chance of sending ?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Here is picture of the engine

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Update on above
After many many pulls the number of fires increased until it ran for at least a minute before stopping. The throttle was fully open but the speed only rose a small amount and the governor flap did not attempt to operate.
Suspect it maybe significantly retarded.
There is an arrow on the flywheel which I have aligned to TDC as there is no marker to align it to anywhere on the block or crankcase as far as I can see

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you to both of you, sound advice from both angles, most appreciated.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’m booked in the Ibis across the bypass.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’ve got my entries in and hotel booked.

C-81 Wheel Horse with finger bar. C-121 Wheel Horse. Sears/roper GT14 and Teagle Jet Cut Hedge Trimmer.

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