Your fourth photo (above) seems to show that the jet ramp (for catching) has become
dislodged. This needs to be re-attached.
Yes, on the front most rivet mounting, the steel ramp has torn out and has now broken the nose off. It was already heavily damaged and had been hitting the blades long before I took ownership. I intend replacing the whole ramp structure with some aluminium sheet I have.
It wasn't the fuel cap I was interested in, it was the cover over the air filter.
May be the first application I could think of to warrant the purchase of a 3D printer. I better take some digital photos and measurements just in case I decide on doing this, or remove the entire cannister intact and do a 3d scan for printing (done with an xbox 360 kinect and free software on the pc if anyone is interested)
The snorkel decided to vibrate itself to death at the carburettor point, it was already rotted there when I got it. Lucky for me I mowed the other day after some heavy rain and there was little to no dust because it would have gone straight into the carbie and engine.
I removed the carbie again and it's as clean as when after I first cleaned it.
I also found I had an identical carbie and throttle control/cable I'd removed long ago from a small, German made engine on an old brush cutter I'd picked up at the tip. It was a former council owned device.
I gave the little engine to a friend (I still don't know why, it was like new) but denied him the carburettor instead figuring it would be better than the plastic junk on my whipper snipper.
The carburettor is cleaner and in better condition than the mowers original and I may swap it out. I measured the jets and everything else, it's all identical.
My local mower shop will likely have a replacement snorkel on another old mower rotting in their yard (or NOS, being a small country town) and, if it's not rotted and torn I'll grab it. Otherwise it will be the equivalent diameter convoluted hose, readily available from auto gas fitters (I used to sell gas kits for forklifts and cars).
While the magnetos are slightly different types, the replaceable parts [points and condenser - the coil has now been discontinued] are identical, as are the more commonly replaced engine parts - seals, gaskets, rings and bearings.
The points and condensers no longer available or just the coil?
I may look into swapping an electronic system on to it but then again, this thing runs so well as it is. I'd guess points and condenser are in near enough to new condition,
A big thank you again to all who've replied and helped with information, I really appreciate it!
