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Well, Got Myself A New Project!

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AnthemBassMan

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've been scanning through Craigslist for quite a while to find something to work on. What did I find? A 1956 Reo Royale WK21 mower. It has a 2 1/4hp Reo engine in it and a set of 21" reels. The motor turns over, but I haven't tried to start it yet. Bought it off an old farmer who used it until he got a rider. So it's sat for quite a few years. It's rusty, but still solid. The cable and levers are free. I guess it helped that it sat in his barn since he parked it. This will be a winter project to keep me busy. The first pic is what it looks like right now. And the second pic is one I found on the web of what it will look like when I get it done...


L8R,
Matt


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#2 ·
That's a nice find there, I really like the old reels. Look forward to seeing it restored.
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
This thing must be all original. It still has a Grant's spark plug in it!!


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#4 ·
Very cool mower, BassMan. I think the old reelers should get more attention. I started on a late 50's, early 60's Craftsman self-propel w/ 3.5 hp Briggs. Fond memories....


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#5 ·
Sweet find. I like the old reels
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
No spark yet, but I pulled the head off to see what the bore looked like. I scraped quite a bit of carbon from around the valves and the bottom of the head. The bore actually looks pretty good for it being a 1956. I'll have to grab the compression tester from my Dad to see what it has. I know I saw a points conversion kit for these beasts somewhere, so more searching for me. Here's a couple pics of the bore...


L8R,
Matt


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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Well cleaned and regapped the points and she sparked! Couldn't put fuel in the tank because the rubber grommet that connects the tank to the carb is totally dry rotted. But I pulled the bowl off the carb and wiped a little dirt out of it. Dribbled a little fuel in the carb throat and after about 5 pulls, she fired up! Not to bad for a 58 year old engine that hasn't run in at least 25-30 years! Pretty sure the guy I bought it from said he parked it in the barn in the early or mid '80s. That's all for now...

L8R,
Matt


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Discussion starter · #9 ·
Here's a fake shot. Just finished mowing about 30 minutes ago, so I pulled the ol' gal out for a pic of what will come to be.

L8R,
Matt


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#11 ·
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
-That Toro is pretty sweet too! I was also looking at an Eclipse, and Craftsman, and a Cooper Klipper. Those three were in a little better shape that the REO, but when I looked up what it looked like new, I knew it was the one. I love the old '50s color scheme. Not sure of the color name, but it looks a lot like the old Fender Seafoam Green they used of Strats and Teles. When I get to that point, I can have the local paint shop mix me up a few rattle cans or maybe a quart to shoot...

L8R,
Matt
 
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#13 ·
That green looks close the Lawnboy mint green from the 60's. I have about 3/4 qt left over from this restore, if you want you can have it. I can't guarantee that it's still good though. It has been stored inside though so I'm thinking that it may still be good.

 
#14 ·
Wow 77, one day when I am in west Texas....I need to stop by and get me a peek.
You have some sweet mowers.
 
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#18 ·
Lol....OMC sauce?
 
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
Lawnboy77 said:
That green looks close the Lawnboy mint green from the 60's. I have about 3/4 qt left over from this restore, if you want you can have it. I can't guarantee that it's still good though. It has been stored inside though so I'm thinking that it may still be good.



Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. But the color on this is more of a surf/Seafoam green, bordering on a little bit aqua added to it. Appreciate the gesture though. That is one sweet looking LB!

L8R,
Matt


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AnthemBassMan
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