OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Engine clutch/flywheel

Hi all, still working on my 17" 45, got everything I need now after a big spend up.
I don't care about originality, I want my 45 to be a pleasure to use and use often.
I have bought an older 14" 45(single frame rail) that was retrofitted with a late-model Honda GX100 motor.
I bought it just to get the motor but my fiancee has kindly suggested I restore it, using my B&S motor, after I've finished my 17" as a birthday present to my soon-to-be father-in-law. He used to be a reel mower man, maybe he can again. Easy enough for her to say!
Enough background, my question is about the different engine clutches/flywheels fitted to 45s. My 17" early 80's model has a hollow alloy flywheel, the older 14" has a solid steel one(still 2-piece) that is probably 2-3 times as heavy as mine.
I had a brief play with this machine before taking the Honda motor off and it ran just fine, will there be any dramas for me if I run the lighter alloy one on my 17" with the Honda and the heavier one with the Briggs 3HP 80202 on the 14"?
Hoping someone can help?

Hi davo, you should have no probs using the GX100, with the alloy clutch...I have had a Honda G100 2.5HP on a late model Scotty 45 for years....works perfectly...Here's a pic...



To put your mind at rest, the 14" 45 would have had a Briggs originally...so its a win / win situation
Looking forward to seeing the pics when its completed.

Thanks DeeJay,

Would there be any advantage using either clutch with either engine? When I got the 14", the Honda was able to manage an incredibly low idle. I don't know if that's just a byproduct of the Honda being such a good motor or if perhaps the heavy steel clutch was able to hold enough momentum to keep it spinning round to the next firing. How's yours go? Is mine just a newer version of yours with an extra 1/2HP?
Guess I should fire it up with both clutches and see if there's a difference.
Another question, did you repaint your cowling? If so, which colour code is it and where do you get it(spray can preferrable)?

Hi Davo, there is no advantage with the heavier clutch, the one that's on the later model now, will be fine with the Honda. It would be good the leave the 14' Model 45 original.

You are correct, your Honda is a later model than mine with a bit of extra grunt...though mine handles heavy going perfectly. It ticks over at idle purring like a kitten.

The cowling is the original Honda colour as it came out of the box....However it seems to photograph more to a fire engine red, than it is in reality...it is more of a maroon colour.

Somewhere on this forum there are the exact paint codes, I am buggered if I can find them though, I remember reading them a while back.

Thanks for all the advice guys.