Hi Bob,
I'm not sure if you've read on this forum how we totally do not support the use of Powder Coating on outdoor power equipment.
We very much encourage restorers to use quality paint opposed to PC. PC is hygroscopic and draws water between the finished surface and the metal which as you are breaking the surface by grinding the blade edges is much the same as stone chipping and piercing the surface coating. This problem speeds up hidden corrosion under the Powder Coated surface and many machines have been reduced to throw away scrap metal once the plastic coating is picked away. PC is a good finish for outdoor items that are placed in situ and used without any abrasion such as clothes lines etc.
If you can retract it before the process happens, that would be good.
Now as far as the engine is concerned, the only issue I can see is that the much heavier weight of the higher capacity engine will have it push down on the side of the mower that the engine is located on. This isn't an issue if you were cutting 10mm above soil level but if you are cutting 30 odd mm above you'll have lawn compression issues on the engine side.
This will show up by leaving cutting edges on one side of the finished cut.
Apart from these issues the mower is looking good and we can't wait until we see the finished product.
Cheers,
BB.
