SUPER Old Lawn Mower Repaired!

[Nifty]

I have a Montgomery Ward lawnmower my Dad bought... at least 30 years ago, probably more. I've been using it as my "weed lawnlower" for the past 10 years.

It has run surprisingly well during those years I've owned it, even though I've not taken care of it properly. Each Spring when I pull it out of the shed, I'm always expecting it to not run... but it surprises me each time it does.

Well, this year it didn't

I watched some videos (below) and things looked pretty old, dirty, and needing a lot of attention:


So I undertook some learning and work:

1) Drained all the horrible old gas
2) Replaced the gas line that was cracked / leaking
3) Took out the carb bowl and cleaned it all up, including the plugged-up bowl nut (most videos show this is usually the main problem) with carb cleaner
4) Carb cleaner all around everything
5) New spark-plug & air filter

Looked a bit better:

... but still didn't start up

Did some trouble-shooting, and discovered this:

Turns out "spark plug gap" is a bit more important to check than I realized

Now it runs GREAT!


Finally was able to do some overdue weed abatement

 

[Nifty]

Videos that were VERY helpful in the process:

 

[Nifty]

Oh, and I was able to do some MAJOR tune-ups on my string trimmer carburetor too following this video:

 

[casportpony]

Turns out "spark plug gap" is a bit more important to check than I realized

Congrats on getting it running!

 

[Mini Horses]

Great job!!

I've worked on things the same way...hoping and often pleased with results.

 

[farmerjan]

I have a Montgomery Ward lawnmower my Dad bought... at least 30 years ago, probably more. I've been using it as my "weed lawnlower" for the past 10 years.

It has run surprisingly well during those years I've owned it, even though I've not taken care of it properly. Each Spring when I pull it out of the shed, I'm always expecting it to not run... but it surprises me each time it does.

Well, this year it didn't

I watched some videos (below) and things looked pretty old, dirty, and needing a lot of attention:
View attachment 15636

So I undertook some learning and work:

1) Drained all the horrible old gas
2) Replaced the gas line that was cracked / leaking
3) Took out the carb bowl and cleaned it all up, including the plugged-up bowl nut (most videos show this is usually the main problem) with carb cleaner
4) Carb cleaner all around everything
5) New spark-plug & air filter

Looked a bit better:

View attachment 15637

... but still didn't start up

Did some trouble-shooting, and discovered this:
View attachment 15638

Turns out "spark plug gap" is a bit more important to check than I realized

Now it runs GREAT!


Finally was able to do some overdue weed abatement

View attachment 15639View attachment 15640

nice transformation..... those older ones will run forever if you take care of them....

 

[Nifty]

What's funny: I didn't expect it to really work so well. In fact, I purchased this new carb kit / replacement fully expecting to have to install it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0816MT7YB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It comes with two primer bulbs, and the one I have it definitely done. It might be nice to also add a fuel filter inline as well.

... but for $13 to have a spare carb kit on hand seems worth it to me

 

[CrealCritter]

Maybe we need a master tinker' title on here?

If feels good to get something old working again. It's a sense of accomplishment and well deserved.

Good Work

 

[Nifty]

If feels good to get something old working again. It's a sense of accomplishment and we'll deserved.

Totally agree!!!

It felt good to keep it working and away from potentially ending up in a landfill.

All that said, I'm sure my feelings of pride & success would have been replaced with frustration had I not gotten it to work

 

[CrealCritter]

Totally agree!!!

It felt good to keep it working and away from potentially ending up in a landfill.

All that said, I'm sure my feelings of pride & success would have been replaced with frustration had I not gotten it to work

We'll honestly, you can actually work on older stuff and almost always fix it pretty easily. It's the newer stuff that is next to impossible to fix and usually ends up in the landfill, sadly.