OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Honda Engines Victa Panther LE with knocking GCV160 pondering my options

Hi all like the title says I have a Victa Panther limited edition with a GCV160 with a rather nasty knock, oil is grey im pretty sure its terminal!

I have a couple options, scrap the Honda and install an old but faithful quantum I have spare, bit heavy and old but its a means to an end if I have to i will but those modern 19" Victa tin bases are pretty weak around the handles im not sure its ideal to put a heavy engine like a quantum on it

I also have an old pope with a Honda clone engine, at a glance im pretty sure its a GXV140 but it has flywheel brake, a crappy cowl and fuel tank, buggered starter etc so i was wondering how many bits of the dead GCV will transfer over to the clone GXV140 engine as in carb, tank, cowl, starter etc etc

Or if there is a better choice of clone engine I should be looking out for on a cheap mower like an old sanli or a victa v40? something that does not have flywheel brake?

If I use a clone I would like to transfer as much of the genuine honda bits over as possible including the cowl to keep it looking nice

Cheers guys let me know what you all think I should do with this very tidy but very dead panther!

Matt

Hi aitchey,
None of the GCV parts are interchangeable with the GXV or the clones.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
Cheers, Ted

GCV's are a pig of a motor in my opinion

Hi Ted and NormK

Thanks for the replies, saves me wasting time on it.

I forgot to mention as well as knocking its blowing a ton of smoke, would this be piston, or rod .. potentially both? anyone been up against this before, is it worth investigating or should i just plonk something else on the deck.

Cheers ...

Matt

Hi aitchey,
just chuck the Honda clone on it. Bit of a pain but just remove the spring from the brake and it should be fine. I always get a grinder in there and cut the brake shoe off but I think leaving it float in there wouldn't be an issue.

thanks Norm but if the pull start and carby etc off the GCV wont fit on the clone GXV then I might have to wait something else to turn up because all that stuff is ragged on the pope unfortunately, the next rusted out victa with any decent looking 4 stroke chonda or briggs will be fare game.. providing crank shaft length is all the same

Crank lengths are close enough, but you might have to play with the boss lengths but no big deal

Picked up a freebie tornado with a rusty base that has a seemingly healthy tecumseh formula 55 engine on it and near new blades, just need a primer and most likely a fuel system clean, only ever had one of these engines in the past and don't really know much about them but its a free fix so i guess to hell with the honda and on goes the tecumseh