It has been a few years since I had a project to consume my time. The last one was the addition to the house. Since then, my time has been devoted to Awana, a daughter in post high education / training(message therapy), (who also spent 9 months in Nicaragua on a missions trip), and another daughter who learning to drive.(She also bought her first car!).
It has been on my mind to restore, as best I can with what I know, my fathers old Simplicity lawnmower. This was one I mowed a lot of grass with as a teenager.
As you can see, the mower is red. However, the original color was orange. As I have stripped the red paint with a chemical stripper the orange color has appeared underneath. Also, there are several places around the tractor frame that still had the original color.
I am amazed how many parts can still be ordered for such an old mower. I have been able to download a schematic of the mower showing all the original part numbers. Of course, there are some things that I am having a difficult time replacing or fixing properly, but all that will reveal the authenticity of the mower. The most notable problems are the decals, the engine, the gas tank and cap, and the mower attachment parts.
The engine itself is no longer available as a new engine. The government now requires the use of overhead valve engine. The Briggs recommended replacement is a bit larger in all directions and does not fit under the hood. I have taken the original engine to a repair shop for a complete overhaul. Hopefully they will be able to get what they need to do the job. As a restoration, having the original engine is preferred, but could be more costly.
Although, I have not found several decals that are 'original' I think I have found a person who can make one with the same lettering style as the original. The old decal appears red but the tractor is originally and orange color. I am not sure if age has turned the decal darker or if the decal should actually be red.
The other big problem I am having is the gas tank and gas cap. The tank is usable but needs a very good cleaning on the inside. The gas cap has a broken glass top. I have been unsuccessful up to this point to find a replacement cap. Perhaps the glass itself can be replaced, if not I will have to just keep looking.
Below are some of the pictures showing the restoration in progress. Some of the parts have been primed and are ready for painting. The chassis pictures shows both the original orange and the repainted red color. The hood has since been striped and primed as of this writing. The mower attachment shows several parts that have been re-welded, although not very smooth welds.
This project has consumed a fair amount of my 'free' time. With the preparation needed for the upcoming Awana year I may have to slow down on my time with the work on the mower. The next step is to prim several very small parts, (including nuts and bolts), and clean and strip the chassis and get it primed. Although I have cleaned it off with a spray degreaser there is still a great deal of oil and grime on and under the chassis.
Stop back in a few weeks and see the progress.
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