Hi Elton and Mod CJ,
Well this one most certainly isn't the worst machine I've seen, rather it's quite good in fact.
We can not date your machine as as it was originally fitted with a Kirby power plant and never a Briggs & Stratton. Sadly none of the numbers on your unit correlate back to a build date, but from my own knowledge yours would be a late 1972 machine.
Now your next issue you're going to have is fitting another engine onto it as it has the series 1 handle bars on it and as such the later Briggs engines will not fit as they will clash with the right hand side of the handle bars. Your machine is in fact an early Series 2 that was originally fitted with the Kirby HK25 Engine that had the forward facing petrol tank. When SB swapped over to the Briggs line up of engines in 1976 they modified the handle bars so that the 3 HP engine with the large rear mounted fuel tank could be fitted.
You might have to get a set of handle bar adapters so as to fit a later model Briggs. There are many other engines that you could fit that wouldn't clash with your original handle bars. eg. varies model Honda's etc.
Your rails under the engine look rather good with from what I can see as there is no evidence of rail fatigue and cracking, something the Series 2 machines nearly all suffered from.
The reel is still serviceable but as I can't see the bed knife I can't comment on that. If you tip the mower backwards and take a shot of the reel and bed knife contact area I can then pass on better judgement.
I note that the original throttle cable and control is missing due to the engine replacement and as such with this current engine you have to adjust the speed directly on the engine which can be a real pain when you need more grunt in a hurry, especially in a hilly garden.
All in all it looks to be a rather good machine that could easily be renovated into a superb mower.
Cheers,
BB.
PS As CyberJack suggested, I to would remove the edger pulley and throw it aside as they are one of the most lethal things that was ever fitted to a Scotty. Definitely wouldn't pass today's OH&S regulations that's for sure.
