The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers
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Engine identification

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N467US Fri, 31/03/2023

Hello again!

Wondered if anybody is able to ID this engine I got given. Looking at it, it appears somebody has sheared off the end of the crankshaft with the retaining nut on the flywheel end. Will need to see if I can do anything with that!!

Be grand to find out what it is, so I can start trying to get it going again

Many thanks!

 

Forums

wristpin Fri, 31/03/2023

As it says, it’s a BSA lightweight that later became a Villiers and among other machines was fitted to 14 and 16” Ransomes cylinder mowers. Do you have the carburettor? Your image showing the recoil starter looks ok but do your comments apply to what’s underneath the cowling or should there be another image  showing the  other side?

 

N467US Fri, 31/03/2023

I do have the carb, and the throttle lever too! 

I didn't photograph the damaged flywheel nut/crack shaft - I'll attach some now. 

 

 

 

wristpin Sat, 01/04/2023

Ah, all is explained. That clutch flywheel is either on a parallel shaft with a key or on a taper. If it’s on a parallel shaft you may be able to see the end of the key way in both the flywheel and the shaft. If you can’t see those , I’d be inclined to think that it’s on a taper. 
Support the flywheel on a block of wood on a sturdy bench so that the weight of the engine is just off its mounting flange . Then take a substantial drift and a heavy hammer and apply it to the boss on the back of the flywheel to shock it off the taper.

With the flywheel removed you can assess the situation. Quite probably you will have to strip out the crankshaft and get a machinist to counter drill the shaft and supply a suitable bolt and washer to retain the flywheel. Once re- mounted on a clean dry taper the flywheel should almost retain itself as it is now. The set bolt and washer with some thread lock will provide “ belt and braces” and keep it captive should it work loose.

A few weeks ago there was a similar thread on this forum from someone with a similar issue at the magneto side of the engine. He had the good fortune to find a local man who did a repair job for a very modest fee.

Search on BSA Crank Removal on the 4th of March by Patfranks

Perhaps one of the mods will help with a link.

 

N467US Sun, 02/04/2023

That's superb.. Thank you!

Luckily one of my neighbours has an engineering works. I will see if we can swap a favour!

I have just noticed that on my first photo you can see the retaining nut and thread on the shelf, which I found at the bottom of the bag!

It will be a nice little summer project for me and the kids.