Thank you all for your responses.
The mower is a Scott Bonnar 45, model # 14659, the engine is a 3HP B&S and has 8C stamped on it. I can't seem to find any other identifying numbers.
It has never seized before and has been serviced regularly, last service I was told the the carby would need to be replaced soon but otherwise it was in good condition.
My father inherited the mower from the original owner when he brought a house in 1986, I took possession of it 2 years ago after my father passed away. It spent approx. 5 years being unused due to my father�s illness before I got it and had it serviced.
Recently the mower had been difficult to start, usually it would start first or second time, It was flooding easily but when started would run fine.
I was half way through mowing the last strip when smoke started pouring out of the exhaust and oil started running out of the carby and over the top of the fuel tank.
