Morris Minor transmission versus lawn mower

[302GT]

To help get through the winter I decided to restore an old REO lawn mower engine I had sitting around. This engine is about 2 hp and was intended to drive an 18 inch reel mower. As such, it has an internal gear reduction system to lower the output shaft speed to a level compatible with the mower drive needs.  I found it interesting to compare the mower engine "transmission" with the cluster gear set from my old Morris Minor transmission. Very similar sizes...

[Moderator]

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[DiDueColpi]

That's hilarious Larry!
Is that actually the camshaft that's driving the sun gear?
I have an old Ransomes reel type  2 stroke from the thirties. Instead of gears it uses a mitt full of chains. Absolutely terrifying to watch it running. But it's a cool looking old machine.

Live like you mean it.
Fred

[302GT]

Indeed, the camshaft does drive the sun gear. Notice also that there is only one lobe on the camshaft. It drives the valves through L shaped rockers (it is a flat head engine), sort of like an inverted OHC arrangement.

I would love to see your Ransome mower in operation. The unusual engineering makes these old machines are worth preserving.

[mgbreis]

When I was a kid I took a few lawn mower engines apart. Notice I didn't say anything about putting them back together again. Kinda have the same issue with cars now...

[302GT]

In this picture it is obvious why I am no longer using this gear set in the Morris Minor...