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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Atco Standard Engine Assistance

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I am base in St Albans and wondered if there were any members nearby who might be able to offer me some support in relation to an Atco Standard I have inherited? It was running until 15 years ago when it was placed in a shed until today. This is by far the oldest of my mowers by some margin (the next oldest being an Anzani Lawnrider) and frankly I am loathed to touch such a lovely old machine without some guidance before I do.

I'd be hugely grateful for any advice as I would dearly love in the first instance to see if she will run and would love to meet someone nearby who shares my passion for old lawnmowers in any event.

Thank you in advance. 

Forums

Adrian Wed, 06/05/2020

Not very near Snorbans, not that it matters much at the moment, but I have been coaxing a Standard into life lately... See here:

https://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/forum/history-and-technical/technica…

I would make sure it still turns freely, best way to do this is to open the decompressor (the little lever on the petrol tank support going to front of the engine), and turn it on the crank handle, then take the plug out and check for a healthy spark. If you have one, drain any old petrol in the tank, clean the carb as any fuel left in it will probably have evaporated and just left the oil behind, put a little fresh 2-stroke-mix in, and see if she will start.

(if you know what you are doing this next bit wil be very patronising - sorry if it is, I'm just going by the fact that it's older than your other machines and you are nervous of starting the thing)

Here's the important bit if you've never done it before - when you crank an engine, always have your thumb UNDER the handle because if it backfires you can break your thumb or wrist (look up Chauffeur's fracture): This lad will show you how it's done, by 'eck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjLiGqC_YsI

So... tickle the carb until you have fuel through, close the choke, and give it a spin. I usually open the decompressor, work up a good head of steam with the handle then close it, but on an engine this size that's not really necessary. The dogs on the  handle will disengage as soon as the shaft is spinning faster than you are, and the handle will just slip out in your hand.

If it doesn't go... plenty of help round these parts. Good luck!

 

pindernick Wed, 06/05/2020

Adrian thank you so much for taking the time to respond! You certainly do not need to worry about patronising me, you called it absolutely right, I knew you had to be cafrful how you held the crank handle but to be honest, hadn't applied my mind to the correct way of doing so. I have watched the video from God's own country, I now know!

I'll follow the steps you outline and will see how I get on. It does sound like you had quite a lot of 'fun' getting yours running.

In the meantime if you have any sage advice as to how I break the news to my wife that I have bought another lawnmower I'd be most grateful. It's our 10 year anniversary in a couple of weeks so I'm trying to keep it quiet until after that milestone just in case it tips her over the edge...

Thanks again, very grateful.

Adrian Wed, 06/05/2020

Ah, now, that's one I can't help with! Mine allows me to buy cameras without nagging as she is slowly forming a book collection to rival the Bodleian Library! No more mowers until I have a new shed...

She wishes you luck, btw.

 

pindernick Fri, 15/05/2020

Hi Adrian

 

finally got round to taking the carb off - not sure if it is the original one. Is it missing an air filter of some sorts? Hope I don't have to replace the whole carb for the sake of it as the rest of it is beautifully made.

going to give it a good clean and see if she will go - not much sign of a spark so I suspect my next stop will be the contact breaker points - can I get at those without taking the flywheel off?

many thanks

nick

Osborne Fri, 15/05/2020

Hello, just as a matter of interest where does the pink wire, covered in red tape go to? And you can slide the points cover catch over to remove the cover if you turn the engine over to allow access through the flywheel. I am currently working on a 16" Standard also with no spark but unfortunately it appears to have some some bottom end bearing damage so I am locating some engine parts to complete the project.

Good luck with yours

olcadmin Fri, 15/05/2020

Osborne: there's a whole section on the site about Villiers ignition - well worth reading because it answers these questions.

Pindernick: the carb is original and complete except for a circular metal gauze inside the air intake - this is held in place by the circular metal ring that unscrews and appears still to be in place.

Everyone: gentle reminder: use the search facility on the forums and on the main site - many questions have been covered before.

 

wristpin Fri, 15/05/2020

Looks like you have non original colour coded wiring. One wire from the coil to the points and one from the points to the condenser which is buried under the points box.  There may also be a wire from the coil or the common terminal on the points to a springy kill switch on the back of the stator plate .

Yes, you can usually manoeuvre the points cover off without removing the flywheel but you will usually end up removing it anyway !

pindernick Mon, 18/05/2020

Thank you everyone for the replies and the reference to the other materials.