Progress and pics
Progress has been a bit slow in amongst other things. However some has been done and I did promise some pics. If anyone sees anything amiss, non-original, irregular or unusual please let me know.

First thing was the nuts/bolts don't see to exactly fit either AF or metric perfectly. Any ideas why? Maybe 19/32" instead of 9/16" or some such strange value?

Male retail therapy and engine removal (last week- end of Feb)
If I have my way more will yet be required grin
[Linked Image from i1222.photobucket.com]

which did the job (9/16" socket fitted best) getting the following off...
[Linked Image from i1222.photobucket.com]

leaving the following exposed...
[Linked Image from i1222.photobucket.com]

Which allowed me to remove the engine. I think 14mm sockets/spanners worked and I'm not sure they are entirely original as at least one had a (thin) washer missing.

This week- (Mar 1st week)
Handle nuts

This week I needed to remove the handle, filter and (importantly) original throttle + cable. I also removed the chute cover to protect it from damage. When I went to remove the handle bolts I found this wonderful improvisation or engineering/industrial design. I can only assume it was the "Nyloc" before "Nyloc' was invented. Someone's had a good 'go' at one in the past...
[Linked Image from i1222.photobucket.com]
Amazing!!! Am I right or can someone correct me?

Eric gets a sea-change / career change / restart in life
Firstly, SORRY KYE!!! blush

But think of it not as a loss, but perhaps a repurposing...
...or new lease on life
...or a sabbatical...
...or temporary job-sharing arrangement.
[Linked Image from i1222.photobucket.com]

Which was put to immediate use; my daughter took immediate possession for some garden work...
[Linked Image from i1222.photobucket.com]
...which somehow seems a worthwhile and suitable replacement task. You can see no mods had to be made and by chance the colours of the basket and string even match the original, more or less. It's somehow fitting. Given Eric is probably around 55 years old I think it's wonderful he is still sturdy enough to be put to good use and in the garden too. Some new wheels and they'd be no problems as a cart whatsoever. Let's see how many of today's 'appliances', with their thin pressed steel covered in even thinner paint with no rust-proofing are around in 55 years.

In the meantime, Eric gets to sleep in his own garden shed.

Cheers,

Last edited by Pitrack_1; 07/03/16 11:59 AM. Reason: minor typos, extra info
Patrick