old lawnboy mower help

[mikem]

Hi, i need some help with a old lawnboy mower. it wont start unless it has a hard spark i mean hard if it has a lite spart it wont even try to turn over, when it starts it will run fast. also does anyone know where to get parts for this mower think it was made in 1970 or 80's not sure.

Thanks
Mike

:confused:

[ohiolawnguy]

i was told that parts are limited for the old lawnboys from that era.

do you have a model #
or serial # to go by?

that may help

[mikem]

Hi, i got both numbers but i am not sure if the model number is right.

model # 8251
serial # 6978390

Thanks,
Mike



:)

[CS Lawns]

Use it for a boat anchor anb buy new. :D

[ohiolawnguy]

cs lawns may be right about suggesting you buy new.
try the lawnboy website, and click on retail locator.

lawnboy.com (http://www.lawnboy.com)

since i dont know zip code for your area, i cant be of much assistance.


good luck,

kevin

[vipermanz]

found engine parts online (http://partsandservice.com/bin/ipl.cgi)

[Molerj]

Hi Mike,
Your mower is a 1974 model. It has points & condenser under the flywheel. Those parts are stil
available. The fast running condition probably involves the governor that is also located under the flywheel. There is a rod that sticks up from the carb. that goes up against the governor. When
you get it started reach up & see if when you move
the arm it makes a difference in the speed.

[khouse]

What ratio of oil to gas are you using. When you run the recomended 16 to 1 ratio the spark needs to be hot and the plug clean to start up fast. Try running a 50 to 1 mix. I run 100 to 1 Amsoil with no problem at all. Just something to check out. Don't get discouraged - for the most part they are hard starting. You can only get one or two revolutions per pull so pull fast. Also clean the exhaust ports with a wooden dowel or same. Take the cover off the muffler and there will be 3 exhaust port holes to clean. They are always plugged running 16 to 1 ratio.

[ohiolawnguy]

im no lawnboy mower expert, but i thought they are suggested(by the manufacturer at least) to run at 32 to 1?

BTW, we run ALL 2 cycle equipment at 50 to 1.

[khouse]

you may be right Ohio. I will check. This is what I remember running back in 1973. I'm still wondering about the ratio he is running.

Since he said it could be made in the 70's I suggested he was still running 16 to 1. I didn't check my manual but a quick search on the web popped up that Lawnboy's ran 16 to1 up to 32 to 1 ratio. I will check the manuals tomorrow.

[Molerj]

If he uses Lawn-Boy oil, the ratio is 32:1. One 8 ounce can to 2 gallons of gas. Other good name brand 2 cycle oils like Stihl, echo etc. will work too. There ratios may be a little higher. Lawn-Boy oil is a low ash oil & will prevent some of the carbon buildup in the exhaust ports. Remember fuel starts to go south after 30 days, so mix it depending on how much you use it. With this said, I don't think that fuel is his problem.

[mikem]

Hi, i use echo 50:1 oil with 89 octane. the last time i ran the lawnboy i was using sears oil 40:1 with 87 octane and that was 1 or 2 years ago i'm going to drain the old gas and try the echo oil and the governer rod and see what happens..

Thanks
Mike
:angel:

[rustyjeeper]

correct fuel/oil ratio is 32:1, after verifying point condition and checking exhaust ports and governor linkage you should be in business. use genuine lawn boy oil also- I work on lawnboy mowers and see some 30 year old machines every year from the same people who stick with the lawnboy oil. good luck!