Hey all!
After not posting here for quite sometime due to being caught up with other commitments, I decided that it was time to post something.
A few days ago I went and picked up my newest purchase, a Kirby Tecumseh. I know many here won't be familiar with this name, so I thought that I'd share what I know about this rare unit with everyone here on the forum.
Kirby Lauson, or Kirby Tecumseh engines were manufactured in Australia throughout the 1960's and into the early 1970's. All engines manufactured under the Kirby name are internally the same as any regular Tecumseh manufactured in the United States, although some obvious physical changes were made.
The engine I bought is called an HK30, which is the same as an H30 or H35, the K signifying Kirby. If the serial numbers are read the same as any other Tec, this one was built in 1970.
Some differences you may notice between this and a US assembled engine are the the inlet manifold and carb, the I.D tag, air cleaner and fuel tank mounting bracket. On some Kirby's, they even had their own muffler design!
The HK Kirby engines weren't the only Australian developed Tecumseh however, I also own a VK30, which is a Vertical shaft mower engine very similar to the American made LAV30. This one has a really cool wind up starter, and an interesting but really retro fuel tank and chrome bezel. A photo of this engine will be provided at a later date :thumbsup:
This thread will follow the exterior restoration of my Kirby HK30. After only a few days, I have almost completed the restoration.
Cheers! (sorry for the long read)
-Jack
Getting there..:thumbsup:
Painted with VHT black and coated in 2K gloss clear.
After not posting here for quite sometime due to being caught up with other commitments, I decided that it was time to post something.
A few days ago I went and picked up my newest purchase, a Kirby Tecumseh. I know many here won't be familiar with this name, so I thought that I'd share what I know about this rare unit with everyone here on the forum.
Kirby Lauson, or Kirby Tecumseh engines were manufactured in Australia throughout the 1960's and into the early 1970's. All engines manufactured under the Kirby name are internally the same as any regular Tecumseh manufactured in the United States, although some obvious physical changes were made.
The engine I bought is called an HK30, which is the same as an H30 or H35, the K signifying Kirby. If the serial numbers are read the same as any other Tec, this one was built in 1970.
Some differences you may notice between this and a US assembled engine are the the inlet manifold and carb, the I.D tag, air cleaner and fuel tank mounting bracket. On some Kirby's, they even had their own muffler design!
The HK Kirby engines weren't the only Australian developed Tecumseh however, I also own a VK30, which is a Vertical shaft mower engine very similar to the American made LAV30. This one has a really cool wind up starter, and an interesting but really retro fuel tank and chrome bezel. A photo of this engine will be provided at a later date :thumbsup:
This thread will follow the exterior restoration of my Kirby HK30. After only a few days, I have almost completed the restoration.
Cheers! (sorry for the long read)
-Jack
Getting there..:thumbsup:
Painted with VHT black and coated in 2K gloss clear.
