Ideas Please

Hi all, this will be in my garage shortly, as due to lockdown I got a friend to collect it for me, once I can go out  [ I have a genuine reason as to why] it will be brought home.
Anyone help with what the cone shaped item on the crankshaft end flywheel side would of been fitted for ?. Engine number is  ?MB 1230
reason for? mark is photos he sent me of numbers is the ? mark where a letter is it is indistinct      


Thank you for any information, Don

Probably for easing a belt on when running.

Yep, think so - as far as I know these and the bronze flywheel were features of engines originally fitted to an Atco Scythe

Thank you nickh and Steve, did a bit googling and found a few photos of one on a LLOYDS AUTOSCYTHE but they were not that good enough to see much, looks like the brasso will be coming out though. Cheers Don

The Lloyds had a very similar engine (manufacturer unknown but possibly Jacobsen or Lloyds themselves) the principle difference being that the crankcase is split on the centre line rather than having a cover on one side.

Can't find a pic of the early Atco Scythe with Mar-Vil but from memory it was almost identical to Lloyds.

Does your engine have an ATCO tag on the uppermost cylinder head fin, or a couple small holes where one might have been fitted?

I would say it was to "push" long grass away so it didn't get caught in the belt and throw the belt off.

I have just been in touch with my brother who has one of these cutter intact. You start the engine with the belt off. Once the engine is running you flip the belt on up the cone. He also says you remove the cone and he has a grindstone that fit instead of the cone to sharpen the blade. Hop this helps . Arthur

Nickh,  yes it does have an ATCO brass plate on the cylinder head as you ask, have been asking the mate who collected it for me will get some better photos once I can get it home.

Dunitrong, thank you for the info. , wondering if it would be possible to get a photo or 2 from your brother of the scythe he has as up to now have not been able to find one anywhere online, I can message you my email address if you wish for the photos.   Would then be able to have an information sheet made up ready for engine rallies in time for whenever they return.

Thank you,  Don

UPDATE, just done a bit more searching nickh, found a photo of an Atco scythe on the OLD LAWNMOWER CLUB site, shows a guy cutting grass with one that has a Marvil engine fitted.

Hi donp my brother lives 70 miles away and is 86 years old. He used to show to show his cutters at Driffield and other shows. Some where I have a photo of it at Driffield. I will try to find it and scan it. Also i will see if one of his sons can help me. But dont hold your breath. Arthur.

Hi all, well got it home, after a bit fiddle it runs like a clock, but the guy who had it had either been putting castor oil in with 2 stroke mix or using Castrol R as the smell when I started it up was delicious and brings back loads of memories

Don

Nice one Don - looks a treat!
Oooh yeah, used Castrol R to mix model aircraft engine fuel

Nice looking engine Don, not sure how good castor oil is for our low performance engines.

I don't suppose a dash of castor in the fuel for that evocative smell will hurt, but anyone who has ever turned over a model aircraft engine which hasn't been run for a while will confirm that it is pretty good at gumming things up if left for any length of time!

Hi all again, spoke to gent I bought the Mar-vil from about the "R" he tells me he never put any of that oil grade in 2 stroke mix or added a small amount for the smell,  so am hoping any previous owners only added a drop for the smell, suppose will find out eventually if any problems arise as have just been informed a rally is taking place on Aug. 15th about an hours drive from me, all being well think will attend, also a friend is holding a crank up at his premises over Aug. bank holiday weekend near Durham City anyone who can or would like to attend PM ONLY PLEASE for details.  

Don

Forgot to mention, there is a video of this engine running on youtube as MVI 1579, if any one knows the gent who placed it on the tube I would like to make contact with him to possibly sort out this Castrol R query.

Castrol R wouldn't hurt it, They might just need servicing more regularly, it doesn't really matter for race bikes as they tend to be serviced after every race.

Got it ready for its first rally outing, whenever that will be

That looks nice! Still trying with the photos for you. Arthur

Thanks Arthur,

Hi all, well made a video today of Marvil ready for whenever rallies start, tried to put it on here but comes up file too large so if you would like to see it look on youtube for Atco Marvil driving pump, comments are welcome.

You can link the clip from your Youtube channel like this



Edited to add how to link a clip, use the circled icon below

Many thanks Robotstar5, I should of looked for that, will know in future.

Don