Hi Norm and B_B. I finished putting the v40 on the honda deck. I used 2 18 inch and 2 19 inch blades - just to see how it went. BB, as you say the 18 inch blades left a significant 30mm gap. The 19 inch blades are more like 6-8 mm.
I think (maybe) having 2 of each gives the added suction (2 19 in) but enough room to prevent grass being thrown out (18in blades 30mm gap)
The blades do sit slightly below the deck (about the same distance as the old low arch victa blades sat uunder their decks - a couple of mm.
It cuts and catches fine and is a lovely mower to use
I agree the Masports (especially with the alloy decks) do feel like solid mowers - I have 2 with classic 35's and 1 with the quantum 35. Also a pair of newer steel decks (03 Quantum and 09 "450 series" flat head).
If I could get a full crank 2 stroke onto an alloy Masport deck, I would be very happy. The old Quantum runs really well, starts first or second go everytime. All it has cost is an air filter, old throttle cable, spark plug, a fuel line, blades and 4 oil changes.
Norm, when I picked up the Tornado (which donated its engine and blade plate to the honda deck) it had a pair of ute blades on it - must have cut bloody badly. Although, the house I got it from (out of skip) was only across the street a few houses and the guy only has dirt with weeds
