1964 atco 14 inch not another one !

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  • November 6, 2013 at 7:58 pm #2626
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    Let me firstly apologise about bringing 2 mowers up so close together. This one was found under a heap of coal in a mans celler. He told me that it had run well until he disposed of his grass and it had been put in the celler and that’s all I know.

    While our mower enthousiasts are still realing from the last atco I would really appreciate some more help. Most of it is a duplicate of the last one except the chain casing is different and also the engine. what are they ? new model changes on the chaincaase and a different engine…don’t think its Villiers but it may be, open to the floor thanks john.

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    November 6, 2013 at 8:29 pm #2640
    andyfrost
    Participant

    John , that’s a Suffolk engine , judging by the air filter , an early one at that.

    Andy.

    November 6, 2013 at 8:29 pm #2641
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    Have looked on google images and found one just like it. no mention of engine or model ,but it was in austrailia. could this one that I have found be an export model ???

    November 6, 2013 at 8:43 pm #2642
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    Andy you are on the ball tonight. next question……was a suffolk engine a standard fitment on the 1964 range and do you know if what you have seen is all standard to this model ?

    November 6, 2013 at 8:53 pm #2643
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    Don’t know if it will help John but I have just checked the literature collection and I have a brochure for 1965 mowers dated late 1964, I will bring you a copy to Newark…

    November 6, 2013 at 9:16 pm #2645
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    thanks paul will see you there fri eve.

    November 6, 2013 at 9:17 pm #2646
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    Ok mate, give us a ring when you are close we will look out for you and make sure the kettle is on !! (thumbs up)

    November 6, 2013 at 9:49 pm #2648
    andyfrost
    Participant

    John , yes , everything about that looks correct.

    Andy.

    November 6, 2013 at 10:14 pm #2649
    stuart
    Participant

    Its an SIF engine (Suffolk Iron Foundry) and i would guess its the 75cc model.The early ones had a different exhaust pipe and were rope start (not recoil start) and had a fuel tank that was fitted on top of the cowling.

    November 7, 2013 at 5:00 am #2650
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    That isa very natural mower by all accounts. From the way the owner spoke it was just days before it went in a skip. Thanks for everyones help.

    November 7, 2013 at 9:09 am #2654
    wristpin
    Participant

    Atcos of that era and later used their own fuel tank, hence no SIF tank fitted. The exhaust is out of period with the air filter which is definitely an early one. A matching exhaust would have been a one piece cylindrical one set at an approximately 30 degree angle pointing away from the carb. They were a bit of a pain as the carb had to be removed to allow them to be installed or removed. The later pattern on you machine consisted of a threaded pipe screwed into the block with an easily replaceable box secured by a single brass nut. The weak point of this later design was erosion and shearing of the threaded spigot for the nut by the hot exhaust gasses, particularly if the brass nut had been replaces by a steel one. On both designs removal of the pipe from the block could be a pain involving making an internal cut with a hacksaw blade and collapsing the pipe.
    On a machine of that age with an unknown history there is always the possibility that the engine may not be the one it left the factory with, but other than the colour s basically “right” for the date of the machine!

    November 7, 2013 at 7:36 pm #2672
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    well done angus , I can live with the possibility of the engine being not genuine if that is the case and thanks to all for your time and valuble experience. next step is to get them both running etc but this will be new year.

    November 7, 2013 at 7:57 pm #2673
    wristpin
    Participant

    It’s genuine alright but may be not original! Colour swatch is on its way to you.

    November 7, 2013 at 8:06 pm #2674
    vhgmcbuddy
    Member

    thanks will look out for postie [smiley ]

    November 8, 2013 at 6:08 pm #2697
    dorigny
    Participant

    We used to see a few of these with the Suffolk 75g14 engine. Does it have a smaller diameter cutting cylinder.? If so I suspect it makes the chassis very similar/the same as the lightweight Villiers engined one that I posted the photo of. I think the Villiers on mine was held to chassis with only 3 mounting bolts.?

    My take is that Atco joined the Qualcast group in 1962 hence the switch to Suffolk engines, a company already in the group.

    I reckon the early Suffolk engine used to run quite sweetly on these types… and with a very characteristic rattle from the clutch at tickover.

    So, genuine with a slight hunch that this might have had a later engine, or parts, fitted.?? Inside colour of the cowling and flywheel etc might tell. The air filter is an older one from the days when they actually stayed on. 😉 but the carb is later from an age matching the exhaust box.

    I wonder, what date did the fuel pipe banjo carb change to fixed pipe type.? on Suffolk engines.

    Very nice to see another Atco in your fleet. Makes me want to get out to the shed again and progress a more recent Super Colt chassised Atco that has been in pieces here for…at least 10 years 🙁 …but don’t hold your breath. 😉

    Clive. 🙂

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