OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Scott Bonnar 45 17" Resto

This is my daily mower that I picked up last year. The guy selling it said the engine was cactus as it runs and then stalls when you use it. So far I have done nothing to it other than changing the oil, cleaning the points, removing all the dog hair and grass clippings from around the engine vanes and back-lapping the reel. It seems that all the debris inside the engine cowl was causing the motor to overheat and stall.

I am fairly certain this is an all original mower, but can someone please help with identifying when the motor was made, and whether that date would be plausible for the era of the rest of the mower?

I was going to leave this as it is, but I have been enjoying restoring the solid deck 20" so I am thinking of doing something similar with this too.

Also, I had the old cheese around over the weekend who doesn't mind getting the lycra on and we starting talking chains. He told me that he immerses his bike chain in melted paraffin wax. Apparently it keeps all the dirt and debris from entering in the roller pin and grinding out the sprockets. Does this have any merit in our situation? If not what does everyone else use as lube as grease is just messy and attracts dirt and grass cuttings?

Number on the Briggs engine cowl;
80202 0607-02 76071903