After the recent good gumtree finds over east seeing a few really good solid mowers being saved, I have been on the lookout for a similar find.
Well, it happened on Sunday when I spotted an old victa on gumtree
It was advertised as running but smoky – which I put down to a rich fuel mix (correctly) I picked it up on Monday, being told beforehand that it actually couldn’t be started that morning.
It was originally owned by the sellers grandfather and clearly hadn’t seen much use since.
The primer was of course hidden at the back, but turning on the tap and 3 primes, push to run, then back to start, it went 2nd go (although clearly no decomp valve), and eventually stopped when I put in near to the slow position (the idle thumbwheel was missing).
I found the idle screw on the deck when I was tearing it down. I cleaned and set the points, added a decomp valve of a scrap machine (having to take the head off to get the makeshift plug out), cleaned the exhaust port, head and piston.
The split snorkel allowed some water in during the recent rain (stored at the edge of a verandah). Fortunately it was below the intake level.
After new snorkel, carby clean and 2 cans of degreaser, I reassembled it.
It went first go, although it has stuff all throttle control. I will put a thicker washer in the carby (Bunnings brass ¼ inch washer slightly filed out) as I couldn’t get it anywhere near idle. And I might do Norm’s carby modification on Friday.
But I am happy, it’s an absolute pearler and runs very nicely, plenty of power right up to 3640 rpm top speed (checked with tach).
I lightly slashed the side council block with it (after carefully checking for any sticks or wire) and did it easily, packing the catcher.
Here are some photos to document the find, and I actually managed to take a 15 second video as well, so will try to attach it.
