I'd like to get your thoughts. I'm repainting my Vortex base and can't decide whether to leave this very solid mending plate on or try to tidy it up with a less obvious plate on the inside with just a pair of rivets showing on the outside with the crack concealed.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Inside, and as hidden as possible would be my go to. But I'd also keep My eyes peeled for another deck, scrap metal yards have been an excellent source of parts for me!
I agree in part Max, but I think MF is like me and if he can! All original is his go to for restoration or preservation jobs. The vortex is a different casting than the regular 80's series casting of deck. Well at least my red one is, I haven't looked under the cowling of the yellow one. So the deck in the gumtree add you posted the link to won't work. I say keep looking and because I have my original red 83-84 vortex, the next one I find with a good solid deck already has a home before I even find one! Looking at you MF!!!
Sorry Enaj mate, I found out very quickly if you want to restore and/or preserve certain mowers you can't just buy parts. I have found it much much cheaper to buy entire mowers to use for my jobs then buy refurbished or even just the parts. That's why I have 2 red VC-SPORT, they will make 1 good one. I need those utility mowers for my other jobs, sorry! If one of them is easy to get running then I'll be doing 3 utility resto jobs.....
Ok, I just purchased 2 more today from my spot on the couch. Another VC mustang and an original 76 model impala 4. I love finding the MARK 4 decks with the remote primer attached....
Funny enough Maxwestern, I have one of those red bases in good condition and now the paint. I like the mower but may have to bite the bullet as it will free up space and the mower is a bitsa not being used.
Should I brush paint or spray gun? I have Dulux epoxy metal care paint and was told it brushes well.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
MF, good stuff!! Not my area of expertise (yet) painting that is. I can advise on mechanical repairs, identification of 70's mowers by serial number and metal work! I'm not up to paint yet! I have done 2 short courses in panel beating and can manufacture most basic metal parts through my friends and connections who are 2 mechanics, 1 fitter and turned and a mate who's father own and runs a large steel manufacturing company with many many qualified boiler makers, designers, engineers and pretty much everything to do fabrication work.
When I get to the stage of painting and using bog fillers for plastic parts, I will probably disappear for a while because I'll be learning how to do it all myself!!! I want to be self sufficient as possible! Like I have mentioned, I live alone and I'm never living with another human again! So I can set my place up what ever way I want! That does mean 2 extensions are now on the cards, these will incorporate a miniature museum for my mowers, creating appropriate spaces for all stages of any work to do restorations, repairs and conservation jobs!
I'm not the kind of person to do things small. Any job that's worth doing is worth doing right! I'm OCD so I'm over the top when it comes to the smallest details. I also feel that I can't trust anyone to do things the way I like because I'm so OCD, it's me not them! So give me some time, these mowers have survived longer than me so far, so they can wait a little longer for me to get up to scratch on restoring everything!!!!
I think you're right Seanoss. Besides, I've already done a lot of work mending cracks and straightening out the bent in front skirt. This is a refurbishment, not a restoration and I fully intend to actually use it, something I won't do with a renewed looking mower. I'm confident it'll be a sound well sorted machine. I even want to keep it's assigned catcher despite having a metal patch on the side which I will paint matching black.
I don't want to lose sight of my aim. It's a tidy up so I can feel proud when I'm cutting the grass.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Mate!!!! I'm so glad that you do things the way you want to!!! Yes, ask opinions on it but that's doesn't mean you have to agree with those opinions!!! YOU DO YOU AND YOUR MOWERS YOUR WAY!!! There is no right or wrong way to restore, rebuild, refurbish or conserve any mower!!!
Everyone is different and that's OK!!! I'm very non-conformist, I do things my way! If something comes together the way I want, then I've done it! I don't need to meet anyone else's opinion or standards, only my own!!!
This isn't just going to be a hobby for me I realise now. But that's because I love it! If I can earn a living doing stuff with mowes then that's just a bonus!!!!
How good is this! My best mate dropped off my new impala 4 because he was coming down my way for the weekend! His 2 little girls running around jumping all over (uncle Sean) while I have a lemonade, he has a beer and we all enjoy the awesome night for a fire!!!
So I couldn't wait, again, so today I took the cowling off the yellow vortex. I then removed the fuel tank, I have made my own tool for G4 carbys out of a short piece of new fuel line and the end of a Bic pen to put on the carby where the fuel line goes in when I'm doing anything to a mower because before the original tank can be used I have to clean it out thoroughly and it can take up to 3 days before I'm happy that the tank is like new again. I blew all of the old cobwebs out of the air filter assembly and the hose from the carby end up. I took the spark plug out, cleanetd it up, put a very small amount of 2-stroke in through the spark plug hole and the smallest amount of carby cleanerin too, I make sure the spark plug lead is well insulated, then I very gently pull the starter twice, gently turn the mower over and again gently pull the starter to expell any crap and excess liquid I put in. I wait about 5 minutes, cable tie a tank I know is clean (I have a separate fuel tank that I have made sure is super clean and has a long flexible line just for seeing if any new mower I pick up run) I put the spark plug back and attach the cable, then turned on the fuel line, primed the carby and, with a fire extinguished with in reach, pulled the starter.
FIRST GO, she started like a brand new mower. NO DIRTY SMOKE, a few small coughs at the start but this blew me away!!! I wish I could post video, it is one of the nicest sounds that I have ever heard. These power torque engines feel like they are on a tight leash, they feel like they have so much more power to show and almost are crying out to show you....
You really are getting into the Powertorque era with gusto. The Vortex was the peak in making a splash and it's hard to believe it was unveiled all the way back in 1982 for a 1983 release. This was during an era when Hollywood was at the top of it's game also with innovative and creative special effects that fired the imagination, much like this mower!!
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I started the weekend without planning to buy ANY mower stuff. I wasn't not going to buy mower stuff either.... BUT 🤦â€â™‚ï¸ So far: 1 Impala 4 1 Victa Mustang mark 4 1 old rover, I know nothing about 1 victa utility, that is perfect for helping my restorations 1 super swift, that I know nothing about and now introducing the 8 hour round trip I'll be doing on Tuesday or Wednesday to purchase: 1 Victa Silver Streak 80's series, the only brochure pictures I could find are an export model brochure. I'd say it's a 1982-1983 Silver streak. and 1 (More) Victa late 70's series Mustangs.
Normally have little time for anything non Victa but have a spot for the Aussie battler SupaSwift. The clapped out 1980s bomb I've got is my favourite daily abuser mower. It cuts really nice and has a stylish look to it.
Also love that it takes Victa blades as well as front axle clips.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi Sean, Remember motors don't like sitting around doing nothing, so you gotta mow a lawn or two and rotate their use..... You'll be able to look after a neighbourhood..... cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
