OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Another Qualcast P1 restoration

Paint work looks very good Bob, it will be a while before I repaint mine. I like to get everything working well then strip down for painting. I will have a look for that paint when next at Bunnings. :-)

Just bookmarked this post on my browser

Nice read

I have a part number if you need to replace the pully belt

Thanks for that. Just last week I took my old pulley belt to the bearing shop and found a replacement. Hope your resto goes well. Looks like there's at least 3 mowers being worked on right now so maybe we can learn from each other.

Just wondering if you or anyone has a cover that fits over the front of the motor near the ignition cut out lever.

Will be posting in the Wanted Section as well.

The only spare cover I have is a beat up one on a mower that I really don't want to part out just yet. I belong to an engine club and I want to display the restored mower alongside the rusty old non-restored one - sort of a before and after setup. Can you try the wanted forum and see how you go there. Don't want to sound like a grinch but I hope you understand. Our main display is in July so if you haven't done any good by then I may be able to help.

A little more progress today. With apologies to Jack for the colour on the hub caps. I know it should be more orange but that's as near as I could find at Bunnings. It could have been worse though Jack - I was so close to painting the reel red as well. There's a lot of green on that mower!

G'day CarinaBob

These are the best images we have of a Qualcast P1 restoration!
Absolutely fantastic!

I spoke with his Holiness, Pope Francis today.
He noted your colour choice and said, "the Qualcast orange is an orange, has
CarinaBob not been to Valencia?"

I said, "No, but CarinaBob has been to Bunnings..."
His whole tone changed. He said, "I bless this new colour!"
[I think he may have confused Bunnings with 'Bunny' - Easter.]

This is a great post - in helping others - but also that it
is heading towards a resolution - the images of its display in July.

Many thanks for sharing this restoration.

Cheers
------------------------
Jack

p.s. I'm so glad you didn't go for a red reel.
His Holiness said that was the Devil's colour!
I can't repeat what conversation ensued...

CarinaBob - have you considered making a reproduction catcher?
Unusually, these were offered as standard.

Evening all, I may have a cover in my spare magnetos. I will post a reply in the relevant wanted advert of Lawndownunder.

Very jealous of that beautiful fresh paint, did you run into any difficulties stripping down the bottom end?

I spent a few hours on mine today in an effort to get it running, swapped the coil for a better one so now I can forget about the electrics. Refitted the fuel pump and it is working well, back to the carb now.

I did get it to start but it would only run for thirty seconds or so, that is a big improvement in itself :-)

Thanks for getting the blessing on the red paint Jack. I know it's not original but personally I like it better. Easily changed down the track if someone wants to get it correct. Not sure about the catcher. Any I've seen certainly don't add much to the look of the machine. I do have the catcher brackets so that's a start!

Glad to hear your engine is improving Paul. Just another thought - do you have a good fibre washer between the pump body and the brass non-return housing?
I didn't strike any problems pulling the machine apart. They are well made and very simple in design. Once you decide to pull yours apart I think you'll have it done within an hour.

That's fine i agree 100%

Hi Bob,
My mower is running now, just wondering what the number of the belt is? Normally the number is the diameter or circumference of the belt. Thanks :-) I have no belt as a sample.

Hi Paul and well done on getting your motor running. The pulley belt I got was an A21. Hopefully that's the same size that LawnDownUnder bought otherwise one of us has a minor problem!

G'day Bob, Paul and LDU
It is a real treat for members to see restorations and restoration
approaches on this great machine.

I must say, I like Paul's approach of 'sorting' the machine before painting;
particularly with these idiosyncratic suction carbies. [I say that as
a total amateur though].

I have a technical question...
Bob has given us a belt profile and size - A21.
I note that the carrier for the drive is slotted - for adjustment.
My question is: did Qualcast intend this to be an adjuster for the
chain tension - rather than the belt?

Many thanks gents for an entertaining and informative post.
I appreciate Paul's input on the carby - it is temperamental, but
it can be sorted I guess is Paul's message.

p.s. I remember using one of these as a teenager. It had a white canvas
catcher. The mower required a certain 'technique' - with precision
choice of the engagement lever. Once mastered, it was a pleasure to
use. Didn't idle that well ...

---------------------
Jack

Good morning all,
Thanks for the belt number Bob, with regards to the belt and chain adjustment. The engine mount frames are slotted as well so I think between the two both chain and belt can be adjusted, I guess when no adjustment is left its time for a new chain and or belt.

One step forward and two steps back. I fitted up the rollers as well as some other bits and pieces today. When I look at the mower it seems to sit way too far forward. I'm wondering if I've got the roller dimensions wrong. I went with 66mm diameter. Are there any members out there who could measure an original set for me? If necessary I'll take them off and turn them down some more.
I'm also wondering if anyone knows where I could buy some new handgrips. The bar diameter is 19mm. Thanks.

Hi Bob,
I have one that is left round so I will measure it for you in the morning.

Hi Bob,
I measured the best one of mine and I have 51mm, if you allow for wear perhaps try 55mm and then reduce it down if needed.

Done just about all I can on the frame, now it's time to start on the engine. The engine surprisingly had reasonable compression and good spark so I won't be going over the top with reconditioning.
I pulled the barrel off and now have it in an electrolysis bath to clean up the rust and paint residue. The engine cases cleaned up reasonably well. A little more detailing and I'll call them done. The bore, piston and rings look fine to my untrained eye.
The flywheel is badly corroded so it will also need some elbow grease to get it back in shape.

G'day CB and Paul

I really love the last photo - the way the c/shaft aligns with the
floral centre . Also, the matching of the green tones: Brilliant!
[Art incorporating steel, iron, alloy, wood and fabric in a nice composition.]

I would like expert input on subjecting the barrel to electrolysis.
I guess this means a hone of the bore afterwards ...?

Also, because this machine only has 'reasonable compression', I wonder
whether specification should be checked and new rings installed. I say
that because this particular model relies on a sound short motor to
make the carburettion system work effectively.

Cheers
-------------------
Jack

Thanks for the compliments on the photo Jack. If it turned out arty I can assure you it's totally accidental. I'm afraid creativity is not one of my strong points!
I'm interested to see if anyone sees a problem with dunking the barrel in the electrolysis bath. I'm thinking the bore won't be affected because it was still oiled up and there is zero rust in there. I thought that electrolysis only worked on rusted surfaces???
New rings would be easy. Do you know where I might be able to buy some?