Hi. Thanks for having me as part of Outdoor Kings. I’m not sure where to start a thread, so I apologise if I have it wrong. I picked up a Scott Bonnar model 45 today and I’m planning on doing a full restoration. Photos are attached I’m still learning which models are which etc. Any info and advice would be great. Thanks.
If you are serious about doing a full restoration on your newly acquired 45, then you've come to the right place. You'll get all the expertise and encouragement here without all the narcissistic talk that's on the FB pages.
You got your hands on what one would call a bit of an unloved machine by someone who's owned it previously, but I'm sure if the right attention is put on this then it to can look like it originally did when it came off the showroom floor way back in around 1968~9.
Yes it's certainly probably had several owners over it's lifetime who have all had a bit of a hand at trying to get it to work for them, but I'm sure with some real love this to can look like the machine portrayed in the thread "Rise like the Phoenix".
Anyway we're all looking forward to the progress on this one and lots of photos is the key to any successful restoration project.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Welcome Jeremy, When I want restore a mower, I like to see if the motor will go,. flush out fuel tank fresh fuel, carb bowl ,check spark, top up oil,take air filter off.. cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
Thanks mate. I probably should have mentioned that I’m a qualified mechanic and engine reconditioner. I run a small work shop out here in South West Queensland. Wallumbilla.
Hello fellow outdoor Kings. Today I have started planning the resto on my Bonnar 45. It has a very tired and what looks like the original Briggs and Stratton engine. I’d like to rebuild the original engine so as to keep or bring the mower back to how it was when new.
Question, can any body help me decode the engine number please?
Engine number is: 60102 0302 01 7109214
Last edited by Jeremy Peter Smith; 18/01/2009:21 PM.
I can pretty confidently say that the engine will be the original one from when the mower was built, unless it has been replaced with one from the same era.
The engine was built on the 21st of September 1971 which means that the mower was probably built around January 1972 or at a stretch a couple of days prior to Christmas Shut Down in 1971, but January seems more likely.
The engine is the regular 2 Hp variant of the Briggs line up.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Thanks BB! I’ve decided I’d like to keep it all original, although it is tempting to buy a new 550 series Briggs. However the sound of the old side valve and having my 45 back to how it was when it rolled out the door is more appealing to me. I gave the Briggs a squirt or two of oil hoping that it might pick the compression up but it made no difference. So I’m thinking valve, valve seat, clearance could be the problem. Either that or it’s pretty bad in the bore. I have a trade account with outdoor kings, so when I get it apart I’ll work out what I need and do a full rebuild. I have the machines to do valves and bore the barrel to suit an oversize piston. So there’s a few parts on the list already. I’m guessing the best way is to get the silver paint matched at a paint shop? I’m hoping I can find the decals for it also.
From what you are saying it certainly sounds like the valves are not searing correctly as with worn rings if you add oil it will instantly up the compression for a short while. Many of these engines will survive quite well with refaced vales and seats done and then a new set of rings. Apart from that there's not a real lot else you can do, unless you've got a totally flogged conrod which I'm sure will be fine.
As far as decals are concerned they are all available via one of our members who is the main seller of decals on eBay. If you can't see what you require you'll only have to write to him and he'll re-list the ones you want as he's been known to let listings slide off the system.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Thanks mate. Yeah that was my thoughts also. I have the ability to fit new valve seats, so I can set it up to run on unleaded. I’m guessing over the years of unleaded fuel it’s probably burnt the exhaust valve out. I’ll search eBay for the decals. Was there someone on here making catchers? Mine is totally destroyed, someone has fixed a hole by cutting and folding the front over!!
The guy that sells the catchers is Jason, he used to be a member here but sadly is no longer active. His Father-in-Law Denis is the chap that's actually making them.
Check out the following eBay link, this is their listing.
