OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Other Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Pope Rotary valve 2T

G'day guys thought some might find this old pope interesting, I'm giving it a clean up.. I have got it running 100% b4 I pulled it down and my god does it have some power!.. The old guy I got it off even said that old Pope has some power you can mow trees down with it! he's not wrong lol....I don't know much about it or even how old it is? there is a little on ODK about the rotary valve Pope but not much information out there...Few pics Cheers

You can see by the pics how the rotary valve works for the next charge of air fuel mix,the crank is hollow the end with the port in it the fresh intake mix of air/fuel comes out between the crank weights... very interesting old engine..

Cool,youll be about the first to ever restore one! That Wipac fly and coil are just what I need for my 35! Mine is a 161 to but with a baby coil,the points set is identical...gimme!
Actually this is gonna be another important Model for the archives Chris,Cant wait to see you work your magic! Good luck! And no blasphemous words when you wrap your knuckles on the height Adjusts....And no,Just because your now hanging out with the Pope,doesnt mean your going to heaven! Baaahaaaaa.

You may just be in luck Blue! I have a spare engine It's identical to this one apart from intake and exhaust they are on opposite sides will have a better look but yeah the Wipac ignition is yours if it will help you out..I can test it works on this engine as well...

Hello Chris125, Blue, and ODK members

Yeah, I've never seen a restored one.
I hold this model in high regard. The engines were a great design.

If it helps, I now have a full manual in the History Forums.
Just click HERE.



All very interesting.
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JACK.

Cool Chris,ilk send you a pm and see if we can get it to suit as it really looks like it might fit,even the fly looks shallow....

I had one of these once,(well it looked like it) the only pope I ever had,but someone put a mk 3 midget on it and the front apron was cut jagged and made to look like an evil set of Monster teeth. Really bizazare. So anyway I pulled of the Midget and gave the tank to another member and threw it to the scrappies. That was and will be my only every Pope! Lols

Now hurry up and build it! This will be you second unique build in a row...And by unique I mean restored example. So whats next hmmmm?

On pulling the 2nd engine down it's different and a lot older, The ignition is nothing like the Wipac on my engine..

Hi Chris,

Both ignition systems are covered in the Manual link in my prior post (above).
The earlier version was the FW1500Z.

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JACK.

No thats because its Rotomo...Please put that in my grab bag chris! See you had roto stuff and never new it....

So they fitted to pope as well...55-56 is roto,what age is this pope?

Ah ok I see it in the manual....so Chris has a 59 on model Jack? And his other engine is off a 57-58 first generation pope...wow talk about finding some rare parts!
Cool you scored that early engine to mate....Never seen an alloy base pope before,that must be a rare beasty.

Is the early engine identical chris?

Engine cleaned up well, now that the crappy cleaning is done the fun part assemble of the engine I've already made the gaskets I need..

Looking at it Blue I thourgh only the intake and exhaust on opposite sides was the only difference but after having a good look it's a totally different engine some parts might fit my engine but not many, will take some pics of it..

Yeah it's totally different, had a quick look in my parts and found a few more bits and pieces...

Yep, those are indeed rare. Here's what they look like [pics from 'The Old Machinery Magazine' forums]:




One is visible in the background, in the first pic here: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59272
A past thread on the Pope rotary valve models: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=55231

Should have known it was Ians....:)

Seen a few of chris's Model but never this one...Almost looks like it should be electric with that cowl.

Ok so the display says Circa 1954...bit far out from 57? What made the owner make this assumption? Its old,but more modern than 54...

Anyways a very interesting Mower

Yeah chris,a few differences....Rotomo 1/2 Now Pope and for the life of me I cant remember the other mower this was fitted to..Series no is different think roto is 1595 but I cant see any difference. Maybe its a component value difference and the serial covers the whole unit not a base pt no..

keep that engine complete and tucked away I reakon...there coukd only be a handful left

That would have been a 'stab in the dark'. The source thread is HERE.

Info on the rotary valve Popes has long been very hard to find, and I'm glad to note that our esteemed Forum Historian has come up with some great info on these early models; see the link in CyberJack's post above.

Yes I read the Thread,Thats why I asked the question....My point was,3 years is a big difference and since it appears to have been restored,Id assumed the owner wouldnt have been so far out on the build date.....

Hi Blue and contributors here,

This is a good question mate.

The use of the word 'circa' is a bit of a laugh - in that it can cover a range
of thought from 'stab in the dark' (as Moderator Gadge has said)to an educated estimation.

Time and time again I have found myth and fact not make happy bed couples.
Perhaps, people would like to think their machines are older than what they are.

Pope did have a motor mower in 1954; but it wasn't a rotary.
The 320-01 was introduced in 1957.

The issue that animates my thought is this: why did Pope enter the rotary market with
such an advanced, futuristic design, only to scrap that look within a couple of seasons?

I have my thoughts, but that's all they are...

Agreed, Circa is used by antique dealers and collectors who have no idea of what year it was actually made,so they go with the "Its really old so it must be rare and priceless"....bleh

That is an interesting question....As you know, a lot of radical designs of this era were just to unusual for some,with many staying just ideas. Our willingness to embrace this probably cost them sales,as this is definately a big jump in design over archaic Pope hand mowers and reels...

Just with your Tempest thread...My fav mower oveall btw, was also radical and reminiscent of a 47 chev or Ek holden....Too radical? Poor Marketing? Or just the mighty Victa machine stealing all the limelight? Who knows....But seriously,I wouldnt have bought one as it looks like an igloo on wheels! Perhaps the Eskimo may have embraced it if they actually had lawns?

That old Pope looks strange to me but then I guess taste changes over time what's in one day is out the next, cost to produce it may have killed it off is my guess they had to find a cheaper way to compete.. Anyway got the engine about done is looking good