old faithfull doesnt dissapoint !

[OtisBlkR1]

Just sharing my old faithfull story.

When i moved into my current home (97) my grandfather told me there was a old pushmower in the garage. When i needed to mow that spring i went out and found what i have named "old faithfull" . In 97 the pushmower was beat up, the wheels were a little off center and only half the cables operating the choke, gas, ect were working properly. Well for approximately 3 years i used that mower and never changed the oil. when i hit my mid 20's (age) i got a little more responsible and started changing the oil every other year. Well starting about 4 years ago when i turned into a maintence nut i started changing the oil every year on old faithfull. I should mention ive never purchased oil specifically for the mower, it always gets whatever is leftover from auto bottle oil changes, only 4 years ago did i start making sure i was dumping 5-30 in it. Well lets fast forward to today, Old faithfull's wheels are down right crooked, the cables have been cut and are long gone. this mower is no spring chicken. I got old faithfull out after doing some re-seeding in the back yeard and decided while the weather was good to go ahead and change the oil. I never started the mower, just pulled the plug and let her drip drain for a half hour or so, then refilled with a leftover bottle of valve syn-blend 5-30. I held my breath and pulled the rope. FIRST PULL, old faithfull fired right up.. this will be the mower that my kid will end up with in 16 years, i can feel it

 

[DieselTech]

Thats awesome!! I'd spend a few bux and do a little resto job on it. New cables and fix those wheels. maybe hit it with a little deck paint. Wouldn't cost that much and would give back to the good service it has given you and the entire family

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: DieselTech
Thats awesome!! I'd spend a few bux and do a little resto job on it. New cables and fix those wheels. maybe hit it with a little deck paint. Wouldn't cost that much and would give back to the good service it has given you and the entire family


you make a very valid point, but if i sink cash into old faithfull, thats when she'l decide to die. maybee when im ready to pass it along i will do a restro job on her.

 

[boraticus]

What kind of mower is it and what's it have for an engine?

 

[dsmith41]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
What kind of mower is it and what's it have for an engine?


I'm going to guess its got a B&S engine.

 

[DieselTech]

The older tecumseh with pressurized lubrication was a great engine also. It may not have been around when old faithful was built though

 

[SLCraig]

My pops had a Lawn-Boy that is as you describe... 20+ years old and starts first pull every time.

Gutless as [censored] and if the lawn was even slightly wet it would bog like crazy. Never quit though!!

He has a Troy-Bilt now with a Kawasaki gas engine on it. (It starts and runs great too)

 

[DieselTech]

I have a troybuilt with the Honda and absolutly love it. For just 5.5HP is never bogs and runs soooooo smooth. I gave my 99 craftman away that had a tecumseh to my buddy that was in need and couldn't spring for a mower when he got in his house. It was a great mower to. 6.75HP, but drank gas like crazy compared to my honda

 

[Scienceman]

I like Troy_Builts!

 

[DieselTech]

And Ford.....we have good taste

 

[Scienceman]

Thats right DieselTech!

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
What kind of mower is it and what's it have for an engine?


Old faithfull does have a B/S motor, the deck is a ( Ace Hardware ) its a 31' deck and i believe its 3.5HP After much thought and consideration i have decided to replace the wheels this year.. im even considering running a little seafoam through it... im undecided

maybee i should start a pool on here for a "give up the ghost" on Old Faithfull.

 

[JT1]

Since it's starting on first pull I wouldn't worry about the seafoam. You might be right about giving it to your boy though, so long as you keep the deck from rusting out.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: JT1
Since it's starting on first pull I wouldn't worry about the seafoam. You might be right about giving it to your boy though, so long as you keep the deck from rusting out.


garage kept, no rust believe it or not ! but the deck is most deffinately very faded. your right, the seafoam is just me tinkering "playing" in the garage. Its funny i can struggle with my two year old echo weed whacker for 8-10 pulls trying to get it to fire sometimes.. its amazing to me that old B/S motor fires up so easily..

 

[greenaccord02]

Seafoam can cause trouble in some of the more modern b&s carbs if it's not run completely through. It seems to have an ill effect on the elasticity of the diaphragm that pulls gas up from the tank.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
Seafoam can cause trouble in some of the more modern b&s carbs if it's not run completely through. It seems to have an ill effect on the elasticity of the diaphragm that pulls gas up from the tank.


Old Faithfull does not have a primer. thanks for the tip though.

 

[greenaccord02]

Well, I'm not talking about the primer, I'm talking about a little rubbery membrane that sits between the carb and the gas tank. But chances are you don't have one since it's such an old engine.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
Well, I'm not talking about the primer, I'm talking about a little rubbery membrane that sits between the carb and the gas tank. But chances are you don't have one since it's such an old engine.


you sir, are correct.