The 1954 Lawn Boy Rototiller
- David Thompson
- Feb 23, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 8, 2019
I bought this rototiller for $20 from a nice lady on Craigslist. It was setting under a huge ceder tree. It was rusted and dirty without a spark plug in it.
I decided to take the head off the engine because you could see tree leaves in the combustion chamber. I discovered a well used 2hp Briggs and Stratton engine. It was seized solid. The piston is slightly off top dead center so I filled the exposed cylinder with PB Blaster and I'll let it set over night.
I had to remove the engine from the body and put it on my bench. I removed the front cowling and was able to turn the flywheel. The engine now turns. Next I removed the flywheel and exposed the points. They are fried.
I looked up the serial #5810290 model#60102 type 940080 The serial number was used in 1954. Best I can figure is this is a 1954 Lawn Boy Master Gardener 2hp rototiller. I found the exhaust valve broken. That's why the little engine wouldn't start. Now to see how much a valve is.
After searching the internet for a original exhaust valve I wasn't able to find one. All I could find was valves with the new keeper design. The original valve used a roll pin for a valve keeper where as the new design is a slotted keeper. The guys down at King Palmer gave me a late 60s edger with a 2hp engine on it.
After disassembling the donor engine I removed the exhaust valve and fit it into the original engine. A perfect fit. I installed the new keeper on the valve and it works perfectly.
Next I'll assemble the engine and start on the carburetor. It's a early Flojet carb with varnished gas in it. I got the carburetor rebuilt and installed. I cleaned the points and reinstalled the cover.
She's just about ready. Next will be to clean the fuel tank out. It has heavily varnished gas in it.
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