Last week was good for me. An old work friend made a trip up to northern Wisconsin where he has some property and came back with a very nice Lawn Boy 5233 (tan colored model with the fiberglass shroud). He told me that it had belonged to his late father and had been sitting in a shed for the last 20 years. He asked me if I wanted it because he knows I have the "disease". And the price was right---FREE! The condition is great considering that it is 50 years old. There is some paint missing from the deck and the air cleaner, but that is to be expected. It appears to be all original right down to the green wheels with the white stripe and the blue highlights (gas cap, primer, speed adjuster, flywheel screen, ect.). Even the labels are all there. It has good compression and it has spark. Very little crankshaft play. Just the kind of condition that I like to find a vintage Lawn Boy in.
I started working on it today. The first job was cleaning it up. I never saw so much grease and grit on a lawn mower! I also cleaned the carb and found it to be in excellent condition. I think I emptied about 100 acorns out of the muffler---no idea how a critter could have even packed them in there. It needs a lot of work yet, but that is part of the fun. It should run like a top when I get done. I have never worked on a Lawn Boy this old so I may have some questions for all you Lawn Boy fanatics. I'm sure glad that it wasn't tossed in the trash.
Pictures coming.....
#2
Two-Stroke
That's a really nice collectible - - and I trust you'll figure out a way to reward your buddy.
I hope you took some "before" photos -- anyway, I can't wait to see whatever you post.
Yeah, I can't wait to see picture too. I have a hard time uploading picture to this forum. My Mac (old) sort of freezes when trying to upload pictures, and my cell phone doesn't always work because my pictures are over the size limit.
Jeff
#4
2smoked
Here it is as promised. The images showing the complete mower were taken after I cleaned the deck and shroud. I just had to do that before snapping any photos because it looked so ugly. The others are showing where I'm at with it right now. Besides a thorough cleaning, I had to repair the rewind and replace the rope. Waiting for seals, gaskets, and a new blade. All that's left to do then is clean and set the points and reassemble. Once I get it running good I'll figure out how to clean and re-bush the wheels. I'm just going to leave the deck as is because, like my other mowers in the herd, I plan on using it.
A couple of questions:
Does anyone know what those numbers are about on the crankcase? I don't believe that it was ever replaced.
I know there are a lot of opinions on oil mixtures, but does anyone think it is safe to use a modern 2 stroke oil at 32:1? This old girl says 16:1 on the label using 30 wt. oil. The motor has the bronze bushing and the 3 ring piston.
Nice pictures, seems like it cleaned up pretty well. Tough call on the ratio mix, the Lawn-Boy mechanics handbook says 16:1 for 1971 and older machines.
If it has the 3-ring piston, you gotta run 16-1. But...for goodness sake don't run 30 wt. motor oil mix. Use REAL 2-cycle oil. Otherwise your exhaust ports will carbon up real quick. Any modern 2-cycle oil for small 2-cycle engines will work, I personally use the LawnBoy brand which I get at Ace hardware.
If it has bronze bushings, absolutely use 16:1. A LOTTA, LOTTA experience with OMC outboard products with bronze bushings, has shown that any higher ratio and the bushings are pretty much TOAST. Back in the day, many people would say, "Oh yeah, now with the modern oils, you can run 50:1!" When I was a kid, somebody told me this (a mechanic, no less) about my newly acquired, but way old, Evinrude 7.5, with all bronze bushings. It went about 100 feet on 50:1 before it threw a rod. I know your engine has roller bearings for the rod big end, but I still wouldn't risk it!
#8
2smoked
Finally got it done and promptly cut my lawn with it. Runs great and is very light weight and fun to use. Quiet too.
Thanks to all who responded to my question about running it 32:1. I decided to play it safe and run it at 16:1 and even at that mixture, it runs very smoke-free. Amazing how easy an old Lawn Boy can be brought back from the dead with just a few new parts and a little elbow grease. I really like this mower.
Finally got it done and promptly cut my lawn with it. Runs great and is very light weight and fun to use. Quiet too.
Thanks to all who responded to my question about running it 32:1. I decided to play it safe and run it at 16:1 and even at that mixture, it runs very smoke-free. Amazing how easy an old Lawn Boy can be brought back from the dead with just a few new parts and a little elbow grease. I really like this mower.
Thanks for posting the photos. I think any "pre-green" Lawn-Boy is particularly collectible. I like the idea of leaving the deck as-is --- more authentic.
The chrome on the handle looks mint. That's pretty amazing for a '65.
#10
2smoked
Just another follow-up photo showing it with the original wheels. I was able to re-bush them and free-handed a new white stripe on them. Not the greatest job but good enough for me, considering how old and worn they are. The mower looks just fine from 20 feet away.
I have used this mower about 6 times since refurbishing and it has now become my favorite. I have yet to see another one just like it that looks as good or better. If anyone else out there has one of these models, don't be afraid to post a photo. I would enjoy seeing it.
#11
2smoked
I wanted to mention that the previous owner of my 5233 recently found and gave me the original rod and metal chute for this mower. I never thought I would ever be able to find a bag for it until I found the Cleveland Canvas Goods Co. on the web. They not only make a bag that fits, it is well made (USA) and sells for a fair price. I recieved it today (part no. 101642) and used it to pick up leaves. It fits and works great.
I don't know if anyone here has mentioned them before, but they are worth a look if you are looking for a nice new side bag. They sell one for the old plastic side chutes and one for the old metal side chutes. I'm happy and will definitely be ordering from then again in the spring because the one I have for my F models is pretty shot.
I am of the opinion that Lawnboy mowers reached their zenith of "ease of use", and lightweight goodness around this time, and gradually, ever-so-slowly got more complex and harder to use due to more weight and eventually government mandated safety features.
That is one beautiful mower. Built in a time of "Made in America" pride and quality. I bet you can pass it down to your kids or maybe even Grand kids.
Tom
Looks outstanding! It's about the finest example of an original 5233 that I have ever seen. In my opinion the best indicator is the handle, notice how nice the chrome is, most handles from 1965 are rusted really bad. It was no doubt stored properly and probably doesn't have much operating time since those original wheels have very little wear. I agree with you on those Cleveland Canvas Bags being really good deals. I even took one of those and painted reproduction graphics for my 1966, model 5234, it turned out so nice that I don't want to use it.
#16
2smoked
Thanks to all for the compliments. I have used it twice this year and it runs as sweet as ever. Yesterday I visited the guy who gave it to me and he asked me about it. It had belonged to his father and from what he told me, his dad was always very meticulous about caring for it. Yes!- the shine on the handle is pretty amazing. Unfortunately, the guy who gave it to me does not have long to live, but he did say that he felt good that I got it up and going again. He expressed that his dad would be very proud.
Every time I use it, I think about him and his late father. For me, it's a privilege to own it.
And yes,,I hope to pass it down to one of my sons. Sometimes an old Lawn Boy is more than just a lawn mower.
- and I trust you'll figure out a way to reward your buddy.
