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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Zenith Type 13 TCA-2

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I have been given a mower engine which I think is a Suffolk Super Colt (75G14-25A), I have spent many hours trying to get it to run. I think I have solved most of the problems but the carburetor is still causing me problems. I see on ebay there are replacement carbs for models 30 and later is there a replacement carb for the 25A?

The problem is that when I do manage to get it to start it will only run for a few seconds. The carburetor was badly corroded and every thing was seized, I have cleaned it out, heated it up and managed to free off adjusting screws and jet, flushed it through, fitted new gasket and set up per instructions The engine had been sat in a yard in all weathers, magneto/capacitor has been replaced and now has a good spark, points cleaned and adjusted.

This forum has been a mine of information regarding the carburetor but my patience is begging to run out, what are your thoughts please.

 

Forums

wristpin Tue, 14/11/2017

Before you retrace your steps in the carburettor check the fuel flow from the tank by pulling the pipe off the carb and letting it flow into a suitable container for a full half minute. If it continues for that time without faltering that is fine, but if it slows down check the tank cap breather hole and the tap  filter gauze.

If the flow is ok you will need to strip the carb and ideally have it ultrasonically cleaned, but try another thorough clean with a proprietary carb cleaner. However if the carb has suffered internal water related corrosion it is possible that its beyond saving. On the bright side there are plenty of suitable Zenith carbs to be had for reasonable money.

Just a thought, did your cleaning extend to removing the slow running jet/tube ?

godders Thu, 16/11/2017

Hi wristpin

Thanks for your reply, during the carb clean and after heating the carb I managed to remove the slow running jet and clean through. The vent in the cap of the petrol tank was blocked so cleared which now allows me to use the throttle. I have got the now engine the engine to idle better but when you open the throttle lots of smoke blows out around the three horizontal fins in the centre of the picture, I cannot see quite were its coming from, any ideas.

 

wristpin Thu, 16/11/2017

I can’t see any sooty marks in your image but the most likely places are that corner of the head gasket, around the exhaust valve, or the joint between the exhaust pipe and the muffler box. 

The original oil recommendations for your engine included a multi grade but for an older engine that will have some wear , a straight SAE30 may be a better choice.

godders Fri, 17/11/2017

Took the head off "no gasket"!!! Ordered new one and a few other bits and bobs. Thanks for advice on oil.

wristpin Fri, 17/11/2017

No head gasket! Well you are the man on the spot, but are you sure that there’s not a gasket that’s bonded itself to either the block or head faces?  The Suffolk head gaskets are usually a composition material that can look much like metal when it’s been on there a while.