OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Rotary Scott Bonnar Model 48

It was a happy today picked up my Scott Bonnar Model 48.I got another collector in Brisbane to pick it up for me.Haven't had time to play with it as yet didn't get home until dark.Did take some pictures though here she is.








Don't you just love the muffler.

Can't believe I actually found it with catcher,and the catcher is fixable.

In between looking for a job I started work on this old girl.Already found a problem.It looks like somebody has some problems with the nut that holds the starter cup-flywheel on.

As you can clearly see some tool has put wire,yes that's right electrical wire under the nut to try and hold it down and tight. Of-course it didn't work.

This second photo didn't turn out real good,but what they have done is tried to get the flywheel off by tying to prise it off and snacking the top of the crank.Only burring the top of the crank.Then decided hey this isn't working so lets put it back together.In that process they have crossed threaded the nut.Gladly I can say I believe it is save-able.Not the nut the nut is trashed,I will need to file the top of the crank to get rid of the burr.I would be interested if someone had another flywheel there is some damage.I could still use it but another good clean unbroken one would be better.Then again I haven't got the flywheel off yet maybe it wont in one piece.Fingers crossed for that one.Will keep you all updated.

is that a kirby 2stroke ? if yes fast grass might get excited n help with some bits . sorry though no luck with wheel caps for it but i'll keep looking .. cheers , Dave

Well yeah it is sort off.Here I'll show you what it has on it.


So yes I guess it is.

So much for being a "Victa Only" man!!!

I have parts here for that engine if you need mate, maybe even a spare, so when you come back down this way for your car, I'll make sure to have anything you need aside.

I also have the workshop manual for that one, so I'll make some copies on my lovley new photocopier

That's definitley quite the find, and the base seems to be in good shape too!

Well not any-more I'm the Victa man,and Mr Scott Bonnar Rotary dude now.Soon to add another brand to that but I will discuss that when that happens.Going to try and get the flywheel off today if that doesn't work out I will need one of those.So far for parts I already need the starter cup and nut.Let's see how we go from there.Yes lovely white car hmmmmm,whoops sorry I'm back now.Were was I yes thanks Ty.Would that be that white turner engine I gave you as I think that is the same engine. Isn't it?

Slighlty different, but I do have on of these ones kicking about somwhere too.

This move has really shown me how many machines i have, and even I'm surprised, turns out i have a full metric crapload of mowers!

I'll put up some photo's soon of the entire hoarde!

You might have to start a new web site for that.

The numbers should be comming down soon, as a good quater of them are about to be listed for sale (late model powertorques & 4-strokes)

It's quite a broad selection to, on the vintage side: Victa, Scott Bonnar, Rover, Turner, Toro, Bragg, Simplex, Rotoscythe, Boudy...

As you go through I can put aside spares for you, or would you prefer just a full spare engine?

I guess that would depend on whether or not I get the engine to run and run well.I guess if there was a better flywheel than it has now.Maybe just a whole engine as I won't get as far as pulling the engine down before I get there as I still have a lot of tools and gasket paper etc still there.

Sounds like a good way to go, I'll have a dig around this weekend, and get some photo's of her up for you.

What data do you have for this engine?

Data what data I have none.In-fact I don't even have my books here.I'm hoping there still in storage.I wanted them to come up here but I couldn't find them.So I'm up here no books or manuals I feel dark and alone.No input not good.

Hmm, I'll scan them up this week and email them to you.

Would you like the stuff for any other machines while I'm at it?

All of them I have plenty of time to read and study. That's why I wanted my books here.Do what ever you can thanks man.

Well was motoring on quite well.managed to get the flywheel off in one piece.Due to my patients.Soaked the shaft last in wd40 and cleaned around shaft.Came out today another dose of wd40 a little wriggle and off she came.



Then due to dirt and the fact that wasps had decided to build them self's a nest I thought.Right pull it down and give it a good clean up.That's a great idea.Here is what it looked like with the ignition case off.


However my great idea soon turned to dis-pear when one of the bolts that holds down the ignition setup broke off even before it had been loosen.Maybe just a little of turn before it broke would have made it a little easier.Now I have been in this position before and I know that if a steel bolt has snapped off in alloy then the chances of getting it out with out damage becomes nil.So I said (f#*K!N thing) sorry to rude to type that.So now I guess I'm looking for this plate to replace this one now.Bugger!
Here's all the sad and makes me mad pictures.If any one has any advice please I'd love to here it.Now while waiting to start my new job I have nothing to do.

I'll see if I can't find that engine for you tonight, hopefully we can get that plate out of it, if your in a rush for this one, perhaps I should post you the plate.

and some spare bolts and starter cup I might end insane from bordem. I know that's really not a word but it's what will happen.

To get that bolt out.
Theres a few options.

Sit the plate on an anvil and smack the bit of the bolt thats poking out hard with the hammer twice. Make sure its supported right under where the bolt threads into and is sitting nice and square. You dont want to crack the alloy.

Another trick would be to whack it in the oven and heat it up, try and crack the bolt while its hot.

Try grabbing whats left of the bolt in the vice and rotating the alloy plate. Take it easy.

If it wont work.

Grind the bolt down flush with the alloy, or even just so the top is flat/square and a little proud. Mark it carefully with a centre punch.

From there you have a few options.

Drill and give it a go with an ezy out.
Theres a couple of schools of thought here.
Dont go too big with the hole, if you do the metal distorts in the ally as you can put too much force into the steel and spread it. Id say in your case this is the one, the bolt is probably whitworth and they are not hard bolts.
Other school of thought it the bigger the ezy out the better as you can get more force.
Dont bust the ezy out, they are harder than a drill bit.



Try and get your hands on a small LH drill bit. No Poo, they do exist. When drilling into the bolt, in reverse, if the bit grabs in the steel it will wind the bolt out.

Or if you are set and square, you can drill a small pilot all the way down through the broken bolt and out the other side of the alloy plate, then with a bigger normal RH bit, drill back through from the other way and if that grabs it will screw the bolt out as well.


With reguard to any hole you drill being off centre. Start with a small pilot, then using that hole as the centre guide, drill oversize to what size the bolt was. But you will remove the threads. So in effect you are best to take it out to the size it needs to be to helicoil the hole. Or up to the next size bolt, most times you can get away with this.
Trying to drill it to the size that you need to tap a thread in the hole the same as the bolt that was in it, I have found is near on impossible. You need to be super accurate with the pilot hole marking and drilling, and as you drill all thats left in the hole is the threads of the bolt, they can grab, tear and send you off line hogging into the alloy.

The closer you get to the size of the bolt with the drill bit the more likely you are to run off center or it will show you up as being off center and due to the alloy being softer than bolt the drill will pull and hogg into the alloy and make a mess.


Its a pain in the butt situation but there is a way to save it.

Thanks Bob I'll give some of them a go and see how I go.I do like the oven idea.Might try that first.Thanks man.

Just thought I'd give you all update and how this old girl is going.
I finally pulled the engine down and replaced what I could bearings and seals as they were in bad shape.Put the engine back together,as below.







However my meniscus has revised.The nut for the flywheel.I was hoping it wouldn't cause me a problem but it did and has.Now I'm stuck and I need a new nut.See below.The bottom part of the thread isn't there so it won't tighten up at all.Does anybody have a nut for one of these I have nothing like it at all? So work has stopped now,it's just a bit upsetting I've now spent a bit on this and I can't even finish the job.
If anyone can help please do.I want to hear it running for the first ever. I've had it for over 4 years and never had it running.It would be awesome to hear it run,it's so close just this ..........Nut!!