Villiers MK15 Engine - Barn Find [Restoration]

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In this episode of Restore It, I restore this Villiers Mk15/2 HS stationary engine. I go back to the old style of the channel, meaning no talking during the restoration, just the lovely sounds of the job.
#restoration #antique #engine #enginerestoration #villiers #antiquerestoration
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Second Channel - / @restoreit2 @RestoreIt2
Tools:
Spray Booths & All 1000+ Products - www.indooroutdoors.co.uk/
Compressed air solutions - Northern Compressed Air - www.ncair.co.uk/
New and Used Machinery - Riley Surface World - www.rileysurfaceworld.co.uk/
Blasting Media & Parts - www.blastsparesdirect.com/
Ducting & Ventilation Supplies - www.amsductingsupplies.co.uk/
Timestamps:
00:00 - Information about the engine
01:57 - Dismantling the engine
02:11 - Disconnecting the fuel hose
02:35 - Removing the fuel tank
02:57 - Removing the tank supports
03:42 - Removing the governor's arm
04:25 - Removing the carb
05:19 - Removing the valve cover
05:49 - loosening the main cover
06:21 - Removing the starter pulley
06:54 - Removing the flywheel cover
07:11 - Removing the on/off switch
07:49 - Removing the exhaust
09:11 - Removing the case
09:39 - Removing the spark plug
10:09 - Removing the rockers & actuators
10:50 - Removing the flywheel
11:19 - Removing the cylinder head
11:41 - Removing the valves
11:56 - Removing the head gasket
12:14 - Removing the backplate/magneto mount
12:41 - Removing the oil filler cap & oil
13:07 - Removing the home-made stand
13:48 - Removing the the sump
14:36 - Removing the piston and races
15:19 - Dismantling the carburettor
15:59 - Dismantling the fuel tank
16:37 - Removing the coupling
17:19 - Removing the plaques
18:02 - Everything to restore
18:40 - Cleaning everything
19:19 - Shot blasting to remove rust and old paints
23:08 - After shot blasting & paint prep
24:47 - Epoxy primer
27:09 - Filling the imperfections
29:38 - Masking for high-build primer
29:50 - Spraying high-build primer
31:25 - Dismantling and cleaning the backplate/magneto
33:42 - Spraying the exhaust in high-temp paint
34:03 - Cleaning the hardware
34:49 - Cold bluing the hardware
35:36 - Adding colour to the main parts
39:20 - Giving the carb a deep clean
39:56 - All of the parts I'm replacing
40:17 - Cutting new fuel line
40:37 - Polishing the hardware
40:47 - Cleaning the plaques
41:09 - Replacing the ignition lead
41:26 - Making a gasket for the fuel cap
42:07 - Making a gasket for the backplate
43:00 - Some more cleaning
43:08 - Making a gasket for the sump
43:46 - Cleaning the switch
44:18 - Everything restored or replaced
44:59 - Rebuilding the carburettor
46:45 - Installing the piston and races
47:10 - Installing the sump
47:31 - Reassembling the backplate
48:27 - Installing the backplate
48:43 - Rebuilding the cylinder head
49:33 - Installing the cylinder head
50:02 - New parts arriving “just in time”
50:20 - Installing the flywheel
50:36 - Timing the engine
51:01 - Installing the flywheel cover
51:14 - Installing the cover
51:45 - Installing the switch
52:13 - Installing the valve cover
52:56 - Installing the pull start pulley
53:20 - Installing the governor's arm
53:27 - Installing the carburettor
54:12 - Installing the spark plug
54:34 - Installing the exhaust
54:49 - Installing the oil filler cap
54:58 - Adding decals to the fuel tank
55:34 - Reassembling the fuel tank
55:45 - Adding protection to the tank mounts
56:11 - Installing the fuel tank
56:27 - Installing the fuel hose
56:53 - Installing the fuel tank cap
57:03 - Installing the plaques
57:50 - Making the starter rope pull
58:15 - Installing new oil
58:30 - Final shots and thanks
If you have any questions about the restoration, the tools I'm using or anything else, just ask me in the comments. I read them all and try to reply as soon as possible.
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[@turtuhl]

I think about some guy/gal putting this together as bombs explode over England and realize how brave those men and women were. Well done.

[@notthisguyagain8557]

My boy came back with a 1hr video.

[@RestoreIt]

It's a classic Restore It, this one.

[@notthisguyagain8557]

@@RestoreIt you're a real one Steve. For years you've always replied and let us know what's been going on even though you didn't have to. I really appreciate it and sometime this year I wanna reward you.

[@citizenerased1992]

I live less than a mile from the old Villiers factory, nice to see something local getting some high quality attention!

[@RestoreIt]

Wow! Very cool. Sad they're no longer going.

[@chriholt]

Wow, this is an old school "Restore It" style video! Nice to see that engine get returned to its former glory, and nice to see you taking advantage of your new workshop and new tools - that sandblaster is a beast!

[@coolissimo69]

Restore It and his magic hands, great job brother. Love that color.

[@RestoreIt]

Good to see you dude! Thank you. And me too!

[@Kris-fl2sv]

You must be soooo pleased with the new blasting set up !!! What a difference to the previous set up. Amazing !!

[@RestoreIt]

It's amazing, Kris! It took me all of 20 minutes to blast everything!

[@nathansmith1085]

I bet you absolutely love that new blasting setup. That seems like one of the most satisfying jobs to do. I'm glad to see and new restoration video, keep them coming!

[@iteerrex8166]

Dude, that air compressor and sandblaster combo has gotta be a joy. Congrats 👍

[@RestoreIt]

It's a dream come true! Thanks, dude!

[@notthisguyagain8557]

You saw the torque it put on that finger grinder?!😮😮😮

[@mohamedhassani8701]

​@@RestoreIt1

[@mohamedhassani8701]

​@@notthisguyagain8557❤

[@Coogfan1996]

If you're questioning the magneto - unscrew the sparkplug and ground it anywhere on the head and look for spark when you pull the starter cord. If you're not getting spark, you might have a bad magneto or youve disrupted the current (gaskets/paint) that will help tell you. If it sparks, well then you likely have a timing/fuel issue Engine need - air, fuel, compression, spark Start with one and check em off as you go. Great video!!! Loved the new equipment you have

[@user-ot8bt7hw1z]

Hi. I really wanted to see how the engine would work

[@RestoreIt]

Subscribe to Restore It 2. I'm going to post it on there.

[@brendanmatthys3788]

The lighting in this video is sooooo much better than your old stuff. It's great to see your hard work paying off with the new workshop -- and how good is that little spray booth! Next to no overspray whatsoever. I'm so excited for you!

[@drissistg]

Amazing !

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks!

[@2003garyb]

Steve! What a great restoration project! I sent you a photo of my 1939 Briggs and Stratton and 1938 Lauson. Man! It's been a long time!

[@RestoreIt]

Hello, Gary! drop me an email!

[@willemjordaan4108]

Mooi enjintjie!!❤ Greetings from South-Africa 😊

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you, Willem!

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

You're an artist!!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks, Christopher!

[@RIS533]

One of the best things you have ever done, fantastic

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks, Rich!

[@brutusherbertson8317]

Not sure how the switch works on this engine, but when it is in "On"-position, the contact seems to be open. That would only make sense, if it shorts the circuit to prevent starting. Maybe try to start the motor in "Off"-position.

[@BLKninjas]

At some point in my life I would love to be able to fully disassemble an engine like this, clean it up and put back together. I always lose something as simple as a screw and I would put the wrong sized screw in something. It's a beautiful job that you did. Looks great!

[@RestoreIt]

It's a very therapeutic thing to do! I highly recommend it. Thanks, BLK!

[@tomswindler64]

Impressive as always,beautiful restoration of this motor.kudos to you sir.just carry on doing what your doing .👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you, Tom!

[@stevebrown5145]

Nice one. Good to see you getting back into the smaller projects again. One small tip, lightly rub a smear of grease on paper gaskets, it softens them to fill in any irregularities in castings. Now you need a wet bead blaster .. does wonders on aluminium and carb castings.

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks for the tip, Steve!

[@immasurvivor]

As im not a car-guy, I love seeing these ''odds and ends'' type restorations make a comeback.

[@virinom]

It must be such a joy to start restorations at new(renovated) workshop. You deserved every bit of that, goof luck!

[@RestoreIt]

It's been great, yes. Thank you, Virinom!

[@makibarashka]

Dude, use aquablasting to clean alluminium, it's next level, looks like new.

[@Nayte08]

3:50 😂😂😭 this got me A 1+hr restoration video is not what I was expecting from you and I’m so happy it’s here. Thanks as always man!

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks for the kind comment and I'm happy you're happy!

[@jberry1982]

I love the fact it's overhead valve being old as it is

[@-jimmyjames]

i always find cleaning the entire engine beforehand with air then solvents is the way to go for me. Good work man!

[@nealnaz]

Dude! A cliff hanger! Lol!

[@RestoreIt]

Sorry dude! I was quite dissapointed as I had a strict deadline

[@nealnaz]

It was awesome to end a video that way and a first of any channels I watch. Others simply call the video a 'Part 1' in the title, so there's no surprise at the end of it. You made a cliffhanger and a hook for your second channel. It will keep us coming back for the next! If I ever posted videos, I would end every one of them that same way. @@RestoreIt

[@callumthomas653]

Favourite part of video to me is the switch 😂

[@RestorationVideo]

Oh, here's a "Restore It" style video! Nice to see that engine back. That sandblaster is so good. The lighting in this video is beautiful and that little spray booth is amazing! Also, for your hard work, thank you

[@NolaGal2601]

I appreciate your narration. Nice work on the engine even without the starting.

[@JeriDro]

Another excellent project completed!

[@deanmarskell1518]

Great video the villers engine looks absolutely gorgeous well done can't wait to hear it finally running. I used to have a generator with a Norton villers engine on it made such a amazing sound when you could get it too start ♥️♥️👌👍

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks, Dean! Glad you enjoyed it. Haha I've seen a few running in my time, they do sound lovely. That video will be with you asap! 👍

[@user-vx7kg8gj2k]

Υπέροχος συντηρητής... συγχαρητήρια!!! Από ΕΛΛΆΔΑ!!!

[@rajamohamed.m4181]

Great work 🎉🎉

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Raja!

[@Freeman-vi]

здорово!) ваши видео вдохновляют..)

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you!

[@williamllorens2141]

Beautiful restoration ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊

[@bobbobby7599]

Great episode to come back with. I know you note you checked the timing, just checking you set the valve clearances? I see somebody else has commented on lapping the valves, I'm sure you are aware it's all importance for compression. Make sure you are getting spark with the new ignition lead. Can't seem to find the restore it 2 channel though?

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks, Bobby! - www.youtube.com/@RestoreIt2

[@bobbobby7599]

​@@RestoreItnice one, I've edited my original comment with some suggestions 👍

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks, Bobby! I'm going to put all of that into the start up episode :)

[@RestoreIt]

Oh, and here you go - www.youtube.com/@RestoreIt2

[@felipekrt]

Amazing ! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks!

[@dhilankerai3585]

He’s back!!!!!! Keep this coming. When will the new workshop episode come out?

[@RestoreIt]

Woo! That's coming up next. One more workshop episode and then its back to the E30, car parts, and antiques for good!

[@Lordroran]

Too bad, i like the workshop episodes the most. ;-)

[@tophitmusic1568]

Respect sir 🙏

[@ferfernandez9783]

Da gusto verte trabajar 👏👏👌👌

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you!

[@tattooedredheadx]

5:38 Those rocker arms are in surprisingly good condition.

[@RestoreIt]

Everything inside was surprisingly well preserved compared to the outside!

[@MASI_forging]

Wow this is an incredible restoration 👏👏

[@jimwalker5412]

Excellent video and no talking makes it even better, great format

[@terryrogers1025]

It was a pleasure watching the restoration, excellent finish to a vintage engine sir, thank you.

[@andrewedwards6548]

In future restoration videos can we just have the tool noises? Maybe do a poll to see whether people want the background music or not 😊 great video as always 👍

[@PE1JAS]

Did not know that history you told about in the beginning of the video, thanks!

[@robertcorbett9650]

Yes you've done a great job. I've done up a few MK15s, and yes as has already been mentioned by others, the starter cord needs to be wound on clockwise., also the petrol pipe goes down and up, to the intake on the carb. also Villiers fitted chunky half round washers on the front of the screws securing the tank. the rear half round washers were threaded with cycle thread and cheese headed screws.They did give a nice finish. Villiers used a lot of cycle threads as they were bicycle manufactures, which for some reason they carried over to their engines and Seagull outboards

[@TheNorthernmunky]

That was awesome

[@Rubbernecker]

Beautiful!!!

[@757boing]

Really well done.The on/off switch has a great look.Carburettor is probably difficult to find parts for.The engine would make a great powerplant for a antique mini-bike.

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks, Boing! It was very difficult to find parts indeed.

[@DrMJJr]

OMG, he’s bbaaaaccckkkkk!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@RestoreIt]

Hello there! Good to be back on track, lots more to come!

[@jmsperf265]

Always a good job 👌👌

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks, Jmsperf!

[@adnacraigo6590]

Nice restoral. Wish I could have seen it run..

[@marioguisandepelic1784]

I cant close my mouth! Amazing! So perfect! Thanks a lot!

[@2K_Restoration]

You must be soooo pleased with the new blasting set up !😲

[@punelopepunstop5515]

Looks like some spiders must’ve thought this was a… “motor” home at one time.

[@RestoreIt]

Many of them!

[@richardandrew2869]

Absolutely great effort! Thanks and greetings from Matamata, New Zealand.

[@ridethroughlifertl]

You might already do this, but getting the gallon jug of WD-40 with a squeeze bottle is vastly cheaper than the spray cans.

[@70mmbobbyj]

Awesome restoration.

[@derMaex]

Great video, keep it up👍

[@benjaminkruse8305]

Incredible work as always!! 👏🏽 Just a tip for your paint booth. At work we have hooks with bearings attached to the roof of the booth (don’t know what they’re called. But when having those you can use solid metal rods as mounting points for your parts so that they doesn’t flex as much 🤠

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Ben! Thats a really good idea.. I'll look into it and see what I can find, cheers!

[@benjaminkruse8305]

@@RestoreIt I searched around a bit just now. They’re called swivel hooks (I think) and comes in many varieties ours at work are a little more heavy duty than the ones I found but they’re cheap

[@terrifisher7579]

Cool color ✌️

[@comfort_in_discomfort]

Well done. Assurances from the previous owner aside, its always a good idea to test before you invest so much hard work. As an example from Mustie1, he will typically try to test-run an engine before investing too much time - even if its just a few pops on ether. Nonetheless, wonderful work as always.

[@RestoreIt]

You're not wrong! I have a few parts on the way to see if they will solve the issue. Thankfully its not too difficult to take apart. Cheers!

[@roberthocking9138]

Great job, great video. No talking and no hand waving 😬. Well done

[@tqncho]

Awesome

[@robertbullcarmichael9856]

Awesome job! Really enjoyed watching your work.

[@leedress2187]

2 minutes into the video i was about to comment, "boy you have the best luck with bolts not snapping." then they started breaking. lol

[@richardphelan8414]

You should use solid core spark plug wire with magneto ignition ,other than that a very solid restoration

[@andrewgrace4410]

Great restoration and color 😊

[@sadem1811]

رائع جدا 👏👏👏

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you, Sadem

[@conorhackett5698]

This is fantastic.. another awesome production. May I suggest you buy a 30 litre ultrasonic cleaner from Vevor for a couple hundred quid. Water/Dish soap will do an amazing job cleaning all your parts and save you the hassle. After that, use vinegar to eliminate all the rust and loose paint. Following that you can remove any remaining paint with your blaster. Overall, I would wager it might be a far more time efficient process.

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you, Conor! I have 20L of ultrasonic cleaning fluid and at one point in the past had one on the way to me. The order was 'lost' and I ended up with a refund and totally forgot about it. I will get some as soon as I can though, as I think you're right.

[@conorhackett5698]

@@RestoreIt no worries, interested to see how it works for you. May I also ask. When you use a fast wire brush on metal surfaces, before you prime do you scuff it? I think I made a mistake before and didn't, the epoxy mastic peeled right off the steel. I wonder with etch primer will it etch a bit better to polished steel? Going forward I use maroon pad on everything. Cheers.

[@EngineVids]

Villiers made engines into the 80s, my c12 is from 1973 which is on my channel 😎

[@tombarlow6176]

Mister congrats on a beautiful restoration 🎉🎉🎉

[@54mgtf22]

Love your work 👍

[@michaelskinner896]

Wow! Nice, long episode! Great restoration project and loved the amount of detail shown. Curious if you checked piston ring gap, and valve seating? Not that those things would prevent a start per se, but maybe good to know if they're in spec.

[@RestoreIt]

Glad you enjoyed it Michael! I did have some of that recorded, but I thought as I didnt get it running, I would save it all for the second channel episode. I will have it running, its just a matter of troubleshooting properly, not under time pressure.

[@michaelskinner896]

Brilliant. Looking forward to it.@@RestoreIt

[@sakurakinomoto6195]

There is a magical substance, called "oil" which is useful to loosen locked screws.

[@carrestore]

beautifu restoration

[@marklilly2581]

Great job in the restoration.

[@user-wm4dz5fw9d]

It isn't hard to see you did a lot of work to accomplish this transformation. Excellent results. You knocked it out of the park!!! I subbed you.

[@wormthatturned8737]

The fact that the spark plug had no gap points towards a burnt out magneto? Sorry for the pun! Excellent restoration I have an old sludge pump with one of these engines on it lurking in my dirty workshop. It will one day be restored polished up and turned into a Apple mash pump for cider making. It was been there for 4 years just sourcing the parts very very slowly!

[@macbouncer8525]

nice work, beautifully executed.

[@narureddy64]

You are awesome

[@danielalmagro9649]

Me quito el sombrero!!! Enhorabuena

[@kahutochishisumi9056]

Very nice

[@LMF5000]

For troubleshooting, look at some James Condon videos. I will briefly summarize some tips: 1. To check spark, take out spark plug, put in the spark plug boot, ground the metal part of the spark plug on something metal and spin the flywheel. You should see spark. Alternatively you could put a spark plug tester in the line (it's basically a strobe light that connects between the spark plug boot and the plug). This is my first suspicion because I didn't see how you made the connection of the wire inside the boot. Might be a loose contact there. 2. To test compression, you need a compression tester. It's a hose with a gauge that plugs in place of the spark plug. You spin the engine over hard and look for a reading of 40-60psi 3. You need to test the valves. We didn't see you grind the valve seats nor did you show yourself setting the valve clearance. To test them you need a leakdown tester. It involves an air flow-rate gauge and a pressure gauge. You again connect it instead of the spark plug and then pressurise the combustion chamber with air. It will indicate if air is leaking out (the flow rate will be high). Put your hand over the carb intake and the exhaust to see where you feel air and that tells you which valve is leaking (could be both). 4. To confirm fuel issues, use starting fluid. It's a volatile gas that takes the place of fuel. You spray a tiny spurt near the air intake and try starting the engine. The engine will then run briefly from the fumes of the starting fluid (bypassing the whole carb fuelling system) IF the rest of the things (ignition, timing, compression, valves) are all correct. P.S. I wish you had shown the process of inserting the cylinder and connecting the low end, as well as replacing the crankshaft on this video - those are my favourite parts 😅

[@andrzejporeda7281]

Bardzo świetna jest cała maszynka pozdrawiam serdecznie 👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍

[@badrinair]

nicely done. the the cylinder head looking green is nice . I bet it did not last that long. As a child , when I used to visit my grand pa, I used to walk around his coconut plantation in Rurla Kerala. There were many of these keroseon powered water pumps which I always tried to pull start and failed

[@JustanOlGuy]

You do good work ! Thanks fer sharing.

[@BluVergilWolf]

Greetings Roman, I am very glad to see your new work, you are great as always! Everything turned out as it should, I was glad to see your video. Thank you so much for the video and for your hard work. keep it up 👍

[@rajamohdnaimrajanazarudin8623]

Invest on vapor blasting cabinet. You won't regret it. Pretty good investment too

[@theoilybeard3287]

It would have made sense to check for a spark before doing all that! Did you even clean the points? I didn't see that, but I was skipping it. It looks nice though. I'm more "get it running", once done I'm bored with it, which is why I have a few very scruffy but working villiers!

[@rexharvey8420]

Interesting that it is OHV, so many Villiers engines at this time were side valve four strokes or two strokes

[@Context0233]

great vid!

[@Aeidotronics]

Cool.

[@ozzy6484]

Make all videos 1 hour long really enjoyed it prefer them rather then short 15min ones

[@RestoreIt]

Glad to hear it, Ozzy!

[@juanmiguelgonzalezcoronado6689]

Todas aquellas personas que vemos un video de restauracion, tenemos derecho ha opinar,el trabajo como restauracion me merece un 10 pero hay algo que me ha dejado un poco fuera de lugar, y es que con tanto tiempo dedicado ha la restauracion de un motor,juntas,lijados,pulidos,eliminacion de pintura etc,no se cambiam los rodamientos,puede que esten bien,pero en un motor tan viejo no lo creo!!!!El trabajo genial!!!

[@Boshi-wz4op]

hello and nice work . pls can u share ur 2nd channel cuz i cant find it . thx a lot

[@RestoreIt]

Hi there, i'm just working on that! The link will be in the description soon, thanks!

[@RestoreIt]

www.youtube.com/@RestoreIt2

[@BrandinHunter]

Awesome videos. I believe you would benefit from having an ultrasound cleaner if you don't already have one.

[@gucu]

Is it a dream to be doing a job that you thoroughly love?

[@madintocars]

47:01 bearing on the bench doesnt seem to be lined up correctly? Anyway, loving the videos as always! Looks incredible! Videos like these always make me want to go straight out to the shed and work on something ❤