Dirty Berty, please don't be sorry you helped someone - that is what we are all here for. smallbear, you said it's a Victa 160 so it is presumably a 2 stroke, and probably a Powertorque, but we need to know specifically. A picture would be a big help, and we need to know what the labels say about the engine.
There is a good chance the problem is an induction air leak, especially if it is a Powertorque. However it is best to approach the diagnosis step by step. I do not think flywheel misalignment is very likely on a Victa 2 stroke, but we need to go through a rational process that leads us to the solution.
