andyfrost

From the last photo I can see alot more clearly that you have seen the bolt I mentioned , I was almost certain there were 6 bolts holding the sump on. Yes, I’m almost certain the roll pin just drifts out.Once you have split away the sump , and split the big end you will be able to see/feel what if any damage has been done.
Report back as and when.

Andy.

Check the recess hole positioned between 3 and 4o,clock , from very distant memory the sixth bolt is down inside this hole……..it’s many years since I had one of these apart , so I stand to be corrected.

Andy.

Are we talking of the small engine(around 3hp) as fitted to some Howard Bantams , if so I have one laying in the shed doing nothing. I’m not overly familiar with Kohlers.

Andy.

Alan , one springs to mind among many opportunities , it was a large Ransomes cylinder mower at a posh country hall that my uncle worked on, it had started to become unreliable , I had the chance to buy it for next to nothing.
At the time it was the oldest petrol mower that I had seen , powered by an
“Orwell” dry sump engine , I did see another…[Read more]

It would appear to be a fairly ordinary Trusty Steed , not exactly plentiful , and on the other hand far from what I would term as rare , where it comes from or from whom has little relevance as to its so called rarity.
Some folks notion of rarity is astounding , there was a Merry Tiller on the site recently that was claimed as being rare , built…[Read more]

True , and due to the ridiculous prices they ask , these breakers will not sell half of it , eventually alot of these parts will be lost/dumped , the end result being another machine that sadly will never see the light of day again.

Andy.

“Well Sir my Dad is the Editor for the Telegraph!!!” …….. and he doesn’t spell “fround” like you do.

Andy.

Geoff , I take it that you have been through the engine internals , that engine , and the later variant had a reputation for big end problems.

Andy.

Yes , the seals are all the same in the small “centre drive” howards.

Andy.

The seals , which are a special type are available on the well known auction site , albeit rather pricey. It would be worth calling Paul Childs at Meetens , they may have the elbow you require , failing that keep an eye on the auction site for a secondhand one.

Andy.

Glad to hear you’ve cracked it , it’s just what this forum is for……helping one another.
I always time Villiers engines with a Vernier , the marks were stamped on at the factory when new in pairs , after 70 odd years very few are totally original , with the Vernier method you are eliminating any doubt.
Keep enjoying it and above all else stay…[Read more]

Your points gap should be between 12 and 15 thou.
Do you have access to a vernier gauge , if so , remove spark plug , and reset timing so that your points just begin to crack open at 3/16″ before top dead centre, without Mr Googles help I’ve forgot what 3/16 equates to on a vernier. ALWAYS re-check after you’ve fully tightened the flywheel.

In image 12 the insulating washer appears ok , it’s the fibre one under the brass nut that tightens your points in place , you will notice it’s missing in the pic with the screw tightner.
Did you check the insulator bush under the points , it’s a tiny fibre bush , sometimes it comes out on the points when you remove them.
It is possible that you…[Read more]

You will still get a spark if your timing is wrong , hence backfires and kickbacks etc. , and yes you will always see an obvious spark.
In image 13 there is no insulating washer,so if you’ve been trying that unit you will have no spark , and in image 12 the points gap appears way too much…….I know photos at times can be deceptive but it seems…[Read more]

It’s hard to say without actually “being there” , it sounds as if you may have had two issues, the large backfire would probably suggest incorrect timing. As for no spark , thoroughly check the little insulator bush behind the points and the insulator plate itself , also check the dimple on the coil is lined up with the HT pick up ,sometimes if…[Read more]

I would say it’s had a replacement engine fitted, the condenser will be built into the coil , unlike the earlier Aspera which had the phelon set-up with a seperate condenser.

Andy.

My late father bought a Yeoman brand new for use on his smallholding. I think it’s fair to say they weren’t one of Howards sucess stories, over complicated gear /transmission system , that with commercial use gave unreliability problems. I well recall him fitting the sliding dog that engages the rotors on almost a yearly basis. Eventually he…[Read more]

Yes , that is the correct one , matters not if it came from a fourstroke , they are all the same.

Andy.

That isn’t the correct condenser.

Andy.