OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers My SB45 - Isolation Project!

What is the trick to getting the clutch bearing out? It seems pretty well locked in and I don't want to damage it by knocking it out from the other side. (I've given it some "gentle" taps to the point where I felt that any more force would not be doing it any good).

Some progress on the weekend. It sure is a rewarding process.

Generally the easiest way to get them out if you don't have any specialist tools is to use a hair dryer on hot and heat the clutch body up around the bearing area until it's rather hot and then just knock the bearing out from behind, but being careful not to strike it too hard.

Apart from that your process is looking rather superb, especially that rear roller and how clean you've managed to get it.

By the looks of it it won't be long before you get it all back together again.

Cheers,
BB.

Thanks BB. I bit the bullet and got a puller from toolmart. Got the bearing out easy with that. I used some old Brown Hammerite I've had in the shed for at least 15 years on that rear roller. I also used it for the inside of the chain cover. It doesn't look too bad against the green.

I've also had a bit of a win. Managed to secure a matching edger in exchange for some firewood I need to get rid of. The motor runs, all I can find wrong with it is a seized up throttle cable and the drive pulley has come adrift (see photo). Is that grub screw all that secures it?

Honestly I've never played with a Model 38 and don't really intend to as to me they are rather useless as I free hand all my edges with a whipper snipper.

But in saying the above I'd say that the pullies been flogged out and that Grub Screw has become very loose.

Cheers,
BB.

Are spare parts available for this model as well do you know? Might need a new pulley.

Pulleys are fairly generic and can be easily sourced. It doesn't have to be genuine.

Cheers,
BB..

This! The only concern here is, what damage has occurred to the engine crankshaft.

Well that's good to know guys. For the time being I'll concentrate on the 45. Any tricks to getting the little circlip in under the height adjuster spring? That spring is pretty stiff and i'm finding it hard to compress it enough by hand.

Yes, simply place a small screwdriver in the groove on one side and lever it up then slide half the clip in so that it pushes your screwdriver backwards and out, then lever the other side up and do the same. Bit of skill involved I guess but I've done them for years and haven't had an issue. I've seen some fancy spring compressors made up to do the job over the years but I've never needed one.

Cheers,
BB.

Cheers BB. I'll give that a crack.

Some progress! New front roller arrived and installed. I'm really pleased how its looking.
The new clutch corks are glued in now and next up is to refit the clutch assembly.

Hi Sm,

Well that's all looking pretty nice I must say. Great to see a Chevy Orange Reel as that's how they were finished originally.

I have to ask....................where did you obtain the new front roller from ?

Also did you have the chassis colour custom mixed and if so by whom ?

Cheers,
BB.

Cheers BB - yes very happy so far.
The reel is "International Orange" and the chassis colour was mixed by Variety Paints here in WA. They are based in Malaga. He has two "recipes" for Scott Bonnar's based on older or newer models. He mixed up the older mix for me, but I felt it was a little too blue to exactly match the old paint colour, so he fiddled with the mix a bit and got it a lot closer for me. Apparently there's a guy that regularly refurbishes SB's and got Variety Paints to mix up the two colours a few years ago.

I got the roller from SB Fabrication and Parts, which don't always seemed aligned with the folk on here from what I can tell. I have to say its well made and fits perfectly.

I need to order a new motor at some point - 3.5HP B&S 5/8" seems to be the best option at a reasonable price, correct? Small Engine Warehouse?

Hi Sm,

I personally have no issues at all with (SBF&P) George, actually I'm more than happy to endorse him nowadays as his level of product is 100%. I've spoken to him quite a number of times and have struck up a friendship and understanding with him. There are parts that he has made up that are not commonly available and for that I have nothing but praise.

BTW George was the supplier of my Verti-Cutter reel if you look back at my build thread that I put up on here a few months ago.

As far as the engine is concerned the current Briggs sloper style engine is the best value for the amount you can buy an engine for these days.

I'm trying to think who that was in WA who had that paint formulation mixed up, I have a suspicion that it was a past member on here, but don't quote me on that one.

Cheers,
BB.

PS. International Orange / Chevy Orange are basically the same formula.

Gotcha. OK so is this the motor that you mean by "Sloper" Style?
3.5HP 550 Series

That's the one, Smelmechiz. The piston doesn't fire straight up and down like the old flat heads did instead they travel at an angle. Just make sure you get the correct shaft size.

If you want to buy local, the Briggs shop in Midland do a very good price on the things, or check out some closer shops. Two reputable shops that are a bit closer to you are Keogh's Mowers 'N More in Willetton and Forrestfield Mower and Chainsaw in, surprisingly, Forrestfield. Stihl Shop Cockburn may have some too, but I'm not certain.

Awesome - thanks Mystyler.

Great progress mate! Looking forward to seeing the final product.

Well, between decorating chores at home, I've managed to (almost) finish my lovely SB45. Got the clutch assembly on, hooked up the new motor, started her up and adjusted the clutch to test out the new cork clutch lining. All good!
Put on the decals, new rubber catcher rests, all chains - except for the main drive chain which I got the wrong link for. Bah! I'll pick that up this week sometime and finish off. Also had a crack at hooking up the remote throttle to the new motor but pulled out the cable from the lever, so I'll need to research that a bit.
Also - finally, and by far the worst part of this project for me, was getting that damn height adjustment circlip in. For me I needed to add a couple of washers where the spindle goes through the chassis (to bolt onto the front roller) so that the spindle lined up perfectly, then the only way I could get the clip in was a second pair of hands whilst I held up the spring and washer. I found I couldn't do it one side at a time as the washer would jam. So I am sorry to say I had to get the missus to help. I know, its not easy to admit.

Anyway, apart from those last few things, here she is and I am stoked.