OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Tech Talk Kirby Lauson VK30C Carburetor

Hi,
Does anyone have a carb that will fit this mower as the previous owner has striped out the internal thread for the bowl nut and main jet so now the bowl bolt wont catch
carb is a Walbro 50 but Kirby Lauson made there engine under license from Tecumseh so maybe a Tecumseh carb will work.
I have hunted high and low emailed every man and his dog in USA but no joy.
So i was hoping that since its an Ozzy make engine maybe someone in this forum can tell me where i could buy one from in oz
thanks
Pete

I hope you get lucky with that Pete - I think it would have to come from a wrecked engine. Have you looked at the possibility of using a Helicoil to repair the old thread?

Hi Grumpy,
Yes i have looked into a heli coil but apparently there's not enough meat around the edges for drilling.

oops forgot to log in first so its showing me as Anonymous

Can you post a picture of the carburetor, complete with air cleaner, Pete? Someone may have an old mower laying under four feet of pig manure in the back of the house-paddock, and not recognise the description, but that air cleaner is very distinctive - and I think the carburetor is the same for both horizontal and vertical crankshaft versions of the engine, if it's the one I'm thinking of.

Good one Grumpy four feet of pig manure jeez i hope they clean it first lol.

Nice pictures as usual, Pete. That looks as if it is the standard carburetor used on all of the old Kirby-Lauson and Tecumseh engines fitted to so many mowers here in the late 1960s and 1970s. So, does anyone have a defunct Kirby-Lauson, or a carburetor for one, that they aren't planning to use again?

I will keep an eye out among my junk i have one on a whole motor i dont want to separate with but may have one at dads place in a box.

i reckon a prime carb from a recent tecumseh would be a close fit if all else fails.

Hi Joe,
I was wondering about using a more recent Carby but was concerned about the inside size (is that the Venturi ?) even if the bolt holes match.
or, does it just have to be same or similar hp (mine is 3)
also have to think about linkages. But thought that if the carb was same or similar i could remove the linkages and swap with new one, What do you think about that ?

Thanks Grumpy, as always your ready to lend a helping hand.

I found one in my shed at dads today but it is honestly ribbish, both butterflies are rusty and hard to move.

I think one from a newer tecumseh would work fairly well, some were available with an adjustable mixture jet on the bottom that could be used to reach an acceptable tune on the older engine.

Hi Joe,
is it the same as mine ?
I was thinking that its mainly the body i need and i could swap over the butterflys from mine to yours.
what do you want for it ? and how much for postage to NZ ?

edit:
Joe what is the one you have on your working mower make and model, and what is your mower model ?
I was thinking if you have one working maybe i can search for the make and model of your one and see what i come up with.
thanks
Pete

Joe, I think Pete is just looking for an undamaged carburetor body, provided it is the same model as his so his parts will fit. Perhaps the best way to work this out would be by PM? Thanks for digging out the carburetor at your father's house so quickly - I've been there with a stalled project waiting for information, and it isn't fun.

hi pete u can fit a later model bowl but u will have to drill out the hole a frac im not at home but i think i have a brand new carb never been used for 2 stroke i will get back to u on monday cheers steve.......

Hi Steve, This is a 4 stroke engine would it matter yours being a 2 stroke carb ?
What i'm trying to say is are carbs designed specifically for 2 or 4 strokes ?
Thanks Steve
Pete

g day pete yep carby needs to suit 4 or 2 will make sure what i have get back tommorrow take care steve...

Thanks Mate

Id say the later Tecumseh 4 stroke carb would work pretty easy, right down to the air cleaner mount.
Looking at the pictures they are dead ringers.
Just need the one with the adjustable main jet.

Theres an early and a late TVS90 carb too. Most i get have had water or ethanol in them and the carbs need a clean out. Ive struck the two different sized holes for the carb bowls.


The linkages would go close to working too. Well linkage. Id say that the one closest the air cleaner in that carb is the choke.

I would assume that carb has a fixed hole jet/bowl bolt and the screw up the side is the mixture.


Having the rubber primer bulb on the side would ruin the look somewhat. But it could see it running while you are looking.


Cheers, Bob.

Hi Bob,
The bowl bolt doesn't have a jet. right beside where the bowl bolt goes in is a tiny inlet jet which exits just above the main jet which is underneath the bowl bolt.(see on the left of the bolt shaft in pic attached)
I'll have a look at those TVS90 you mentioned.
If i can score a body of a carb same as mine then i might be able to swap over the linkages.
Thanks for the advice Bob
Cheers
Pete

Hi Bob,
Ive had a look at the TVS90 (632795A) carbs and none of them have a choke butterfly or linkage.
Do your ones have a choke linkage ?
Pete