Thanks Gadge and Jack,

That would certainly explain the reason why the Kirby winders fit the Southern Cross.
I found it interesting that when I asked someone who had a Victa Impulse starter for the measurements (between the adjacent and opposite holes), it was completely different. The starter cap was also the wrong size.

Yes those springs could be frustrating and also potentially dangerous.

Here is a modern equivalent recoil starter that will fit if anyone gets stuck finding an original SC winder or recoil.

Tecumseh Engine Recoil Pull Start Part # 590420
Use with Tecumseh Starter Cap Part # 590551

I've still been puzzling over the original blades. A mate of mine was sent this illustration from someone who has an original blade. It was a bit knocked about and worn, so he had to "extrapolate" to determine the original specs. It was a double sided (reversible) "twist" blade - a neat design with blade on both edges, so you could simply turn it around whenever one side got blunt or damaged. I'm sure these went out of fashion because they would cause balance issues if one blade got more worn than the other. Anyway he copied the blade diagram from the manual and added the dimensions.

[Linked Image]

Last edited by vint_mow; 25/01/17 04:04 AM.