Congratulations Sapper.
Is the catcher damaged or patched?
That base is the same design as your parent's full crank except for mounting holes and exhaust port for PT engine.
That will be a joy to use if the engine is still good.
The catcher will fit your parent's mower if you don't get this going.

Here's one I found a couple of years back.
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...loy-base-powertorque-find.html#Post88199

Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!