OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Qualcast 16 restoration

Here are some pics of my restoration so far. It's been interesting this one. The mower had one owner from new, and the date on engine is 1952.

I still need a throttle lever for it and tank petcock and fuel line. The original copper fuel line is a mess so I will replace it.

The clutch cork had been replaced with much thicker cork than normal which put the chain out of alignment causing it to skip. I sanded it down till the chain ran smoothly.

Here are some pics

Stripped down!

Some progress pics - hope these are useful for someone.

Nice work Hepsibar.

I love before and after pics of paint jobs. Did you use a brush or spray gun?
That's a nice shade of green.

Thanks

John Deer green, looks ok I think. Done with 2pack in a rattle can! Much better than standard epoxy rattle cans or enamel etc. The finish is easy to achieve if you spend time preparing for top coat. My tank got dusted while drying so now I am crying, LOL.

Here are some progress pics. Still need to sort throttle and carb and HT lead.

Thanks

Here it is complete! And running

Hello Hepsibar and MF
This is a great tribute to your hard work.

It is also a fitting tribute to Qualcast's first power lawnmower
that survived three decades!

Not without some changes too!
I like the change in reel manufacture.
The original machines had riveted spirals; yours
incorporated the then latest all-steel, welded reels.

WE also have a nice story, with clear images, that gives
members a resolution.

Beautiful!

Sincere thanks from me.
---------------------------------------
Jack

G-day CyberJack and Hepsibar.

That's a great display piece you've turned that into.
You solved the issues fast, should you actually want to use it. I wouldn't, It's cut enough lawns. It's just good knowing it's fully functional.

What was the idea of painting the engine in presumably heat resistant flat black, head and all?
Just for the look? It works for me!

I like the polished brass clutch outer. Really highlights it's vintage look.

Well done completing the job so quickly.

Thanks CyberJack for the interesting rundown on the mower and it's place in the maker's history.
We can get more out of viewing this build, knowing some background.

I painted the head with high temp black as it was badly rusted and looked out of place with the rest of the newly painted mower.

The mower had one owner from new, so I don't think its done much work as the original owner did not have much grass to cut. It had been painted and had been "fixed up" diy style at some point. It starts first or second spin of the handle.

I have the original catcher but it's beaten up! I am contemplating using it as a template and making a new one.

Can anyone please confirm if the bed knife adjusters are correctly assembled in my pic, this is how they were when I got the mower?

Re the paint I like to use a little artistic licence, the orange handle was black, the ht lead was black rubber not braided ...LOL.

They do it with movies based on a true story, you can do it on a mower!

The bottom blade adjusters are assembled correctly from the one I used to use . Getting the cylinder bearings set up with no play in them first was key to a good cut. It looks good. In the UK it was also known as the Royal Blade I'm sure

Thankyou! Midget98

All bearings on my mower are supper smooth, and yes I took my time removing play without over tightening. I actually tried it as a push mower as it runs so smooth, before fitting the motor back on and it was surprisingly easy to push.