[vhgmcbuddy]

HI, Thank you would be very much appreciated.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I was thinking that a valve seat maybe corroded where it had sat outside so long but as it seemed to run fine on load at higher rpm it was just the idle jet in the carb preventing it from idling. I’m completely stumped by it!!

[vhgmcbuddy]

No news is bad news!
After numerous hours tinkering and 2 more different carburetors and rebuilds later I’ve still got the same problem. It just won’t idle. I’ve been persevering and using it (starting it in gear to prevent damage to the gearbox as with no idle i can’t disengage the centrifugal clutch) Then last weekend it started to run a bit rough and lose power after about 10 mins of cutting. As i drove it back to the barn it finally stalled about 100yds away. I left it to cool down and made a cuppa and went back to it after an hour or so and it seemed fine, so i continued to cut the grass only for the same problem to come back after about 10 mins. I was once told that the little condensers in the distributor can cause this so I swapped that out, then after only 5 mins cutting on Sunday. A very different noise almost metallic and total lose of power, now it will only just run with a lot of throttle. I’m thinking something more sinister might have let go inside the engine. Piston ring perhaps? I think i’ve got the bite the bullet and rebuild the engine, not in the middle of the summer when the grass is growing !!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hello, The transmission oil is SAE 90. Seeing the clutch is not sticking all the time, it might be worth checking the cable. If the cables free, I would think the clutch would free up with more use. If not you will have to remove the engine to see what’s causing it to catch. Hope this helps.
A few years back I renovated a 400, great machine. Owen

[vhgmcbuddy]

Have had a lot of issues going on recently so haven’t touched this in nearly two months. Here’s where I am up to at the moment. It’s nearly finished, just the rotor shaft, chain cover and depth foot to do, along with probably loads of little finishing off jobs.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

John Cruse is your man

He is shut on Weds btw

[vhgmcbuddy]

They are rare, surely they are now in a collectors that have passion of it. What else that are from these era? But, many of these prints today are reproduced, and you hardly get the genuine prints, so always be sure to check the prints you get.

Cheers,
Lexer

[vhgmcbuddy]

Benjamin,

That is absolutely wonderful information; i have found him and will be in touch in the morning. Someone mentioned of him to me but only his name now i have all the info thanks to you i have got a chance.

Many thanks Tim

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Stuart,

You are most probably right; do you know of any one or company that would be able to make one.

Thanks Tim

[vhgmcbuddy]

Try ‘The Mower Centre’ in Hailsham. If he doesn’t have one, he should be able to make one up for you.

[vhgmcbuddy]

just in case people need to know i contacted winget and they have replied that the correct colour is signal red BS 04 E 53 also called poppy red so i just ordered some tractol from smith and allen very helpful company and good for old machine lubricants too paint should be here on wed so i can get ready to topcoat it

[vhgmcbuddy]

The gem used in the good life was a late 1960’s series V as Stuart said. The engine was actually a k301T Kohler. I have heard rumours to the actual machines location but never any proof. If you want any information please see my website http://www.howardgem.webs.com

[vhgmcbuddy]

Darren and I had an interesting discussion on timing the Wico mag. on the Howard Gem. I went back and re read the original instructions from the Howard Gem original manual which gives no instructions for timing on the impulse spark, However , the original Wico instructions do! The setting for the imulse spark is 1/8″ BTDC (and it tells you not to wind up the impulse, but to hold the trip lever in with your thumb) and the timing for the running spark is 3/8″ BTDC, it also mentions that the three positions for the “Stop” on the impulse are to give a variation of 5-35 Degrees, with more variation from moving the mounting plate. So, back to the drawing board!.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hello, Does one need to book in to enter a working display or just turn up? Is ploughing available?
I would like to bring a Ransomes crawler.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Andy i thought that might have been the reason why , was the first one id ever seen so i thought id ask lol. See you on sunday m8.

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