Newer blades that have the rolled edges in the center do not require the stiffener. I have never tried it but I doubt a stiffener will even fit over them properly. Walt Conner

Congratulations on your newly aquired Lawn-Boy! Im glad to see someone who appreciates a fine machine. About 24 years ago I aquired my first Lawn-Boy, a brand new F series with aluminum deck. Man I treasured that mower, cleaning it like brand new every mowing and it treated me with one of the best looking lawns in the neighborhood for several years. I suddenly had to change jobs and move out of country for a couple years and ended up giving the mower to a young brother in law. I really hated to see it go but you have to do what you have to do for the familys future. I returned to visit family about 5 months later and when I asked brother in law how he liked the mower, well he kind of gave a dirty look and shook his head and proceeded to tell me how much of a POS that mower was and how the engine was locked up and he just threw it away! The ninny forgot to mix fuel with oil and destroyed it, only to blame the mower! Im very glad to see a mature person take posession of your mower and hope you have a lot of fun with it!

The C-10 number is the engine model. It was the first of the C engines that came in three sizes , 1 15/16", 2 1/8", and 2 1/4" inch bore.yours is the smallest one. Lawn Boy was still using the RPM manufacturing style deck(OMC had bought them out). The ID for the mower should be on the back of the deck. Lawn Boy ,in '55 had introduced the staggered wheel deck style that stayed in the line, on the 18" utility mowers until the late '60's. I'm guessing that your mower is a rope start model, much like some of the models in ths VERY old post. There should be a number plate on the back of the deck. Maybe it's 8F20??.

I've patched my C21ZPRA magnesium deck with straps of aluminum from the hardware store. Most places I used flat head screws with nuts but in a few spots I couldn't drill through the housing, so I used self-drilling screws simply as self-tappers. So far it's working well. Finally managed to slightly bend the crankshaft extension. I'm able to set the blade so it doesn't vibrate. I replaced the spark plug when I was having starting problems last year, but the old plug is fine. Parts prices are insane. If they actually have any decks left, no one is going to pay over $500 for one. Let it go for $50, maybe someone would buy it. $275 for a crankshaft? Out of sight. Guess they're attached to this stuff; don't want to sell any? No one around here can weld magnesium. The stuff burns intensely if it is not welded with the right equipment and skill. Easy with the right stuff, mainly the correct filler rod and TIG, like aluminum. A shop that repairs old VW crankcases (magnesium, with some aluminum and zinc for strength) should be able to weld a Lawn-Boy magnesium deck. CO2 or water makes Mg burn more intensely as both have oxygen in them. Maybe if I ever get back out to Oregon with the mower I can get the VW specialist next door to my father in law's house to fix the deck. For some reason I typed "1981" when it should have been "1991."