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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,086
Likes: 220
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Looking good SR, personally I would have fitted new seals but no big deal if you have to change them later.

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
This has exposed (literally) the advantage of the Powertorque that replacing the conrod is much easier.
Not likely to ever need to replace one though.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,842
Likes: 14
Moderator
Finally found that UK based Victa parts supplier's webpage; https://www.powertoolspares.com/victa/victa-rotary-mowers


Cheers,
Gadge

"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."

"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
They even have the Vortex cowl available!
I doubt you can even get them here.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Hey Chris,
how is it doing? Haven't heard from you in a while. Did you get the parts you need or is there another sticking point that's cropped up?


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
Novice
We have a runner! Head gasket arrived today.

Turning over the engine on the workbench the compression seemed really good, thought it was going to be tough to start without the decompressor but no. A few pulls and it fired up and I think it sounds OK. Ran it for a while at different revs and it seems to do what its supposed to.

Instead of a spark plug I got a sump plug to fill the decompressor hole.

The head gasket I ordered was from
http://www.victaspares.co.uk/

Supposed to be a powertorque one and although the cylinder hole was good the bolt spacing was a bit further, presumably aluminium block. Had to carefully widen the bolt holes.

Also crafted an old fashion kill switch to ground the spark plug. Kind that I think are on older Victas - piece of metal bent of the plug. Left the carb kill wiring disconnected for now.

Would post video but will have to edit down to 2MB. Will also put a few pictures up when I get a chance.

Any advice for what I should do with the vacuum tube for the decompressor, should I just seal it up for now?

Now just waiting for the grass to grow so I can try it out.

Thanks for all your help!

Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 24
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Thanks for updating us Chris.
Cleaned up amazingly. Was the disc attached at the time it was running? The momentum from the mass is an essential part of the running of these. It sounded very hearty in the video.
I hope you can get a good catcher for him.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 81
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
That is amazing - very well done

Not knocking any of your work, just have a couple questions

1- What plug have you got in it? Looks like a J8C, so thats fine as long as you dont mow near fences.

2 - what is the square shaped stuff around the blade bolts? Not a bad idea if you don't have the plastic washers

They are a great mower - with care, it could quite easily last another 40 years. The catcher - not so much

Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
Novice
Originally Posted by Mowerfreak
Was the disc attached at the time it was running? The momentum from the mass is an essential part of the running of these. It sounded very hearty in the video.
I hope you can get a good catcher for him.

Well spotted/listened. I believe it wasn't, was being a bit hesitant incase I needed to get it on the bench again.
Have since put the blade disc on and cut some grass

Originally Posted by Tyler
That is amazing - very well done
1- What plug have you got in it? Looks like a J8C, so thats fine as long as you dont mow near fences.

2 - what is the square shaped stuff around the blade bolts? Not a bad idea if you don't have the plastic washers

Same plug that was in it, 8jc, cj8. Why the thing about fences?

When I took the blades off either the plastic washers were disintegrated or never on there, made these up from some aluminium. As time goes on I might treat it to some new blades and bolts.

Found today that the w clip for the rear axle on one side was missing which was messing up the height adjustment, did the fix with some fence wire and it cuts really nice.

Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,086
Likes: 220
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Hi SR,
good job, well done as long as it is fed its oil it will last a very long time, they are a beautiful motor. The F/C motor spark plug is a bit more protected by the 2 cowl cover nuts so it doesn't hit up against the fences as Tyler was mentioning

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