OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Finding and Swapping Rare Finds & Donations My Purple VC-Sports

Cool thanks as I said before I will now have to buy a microtome (Hope that's spelt right) and measure the bore.If it's with the required size then a rebuild will occur,and then I'll be happy again.

Its a micrometer


Im tipping i will definately have something useable here as far as engine goes.

Blumbly, to measure bore diameter you would need an inside micrometer, not a common micrometer (the latter is a zero to one inch instrument that measures outside diameters only. The ones that measure more than one inch outside diameter are less common, and far more expensive.) An inside micrometer comes as a set of ultra-precision bits in a natty velvet-lined box, requires considerable skill to use, is very delicate to use and maintain, and costs plenty. I doubt that you want to buy one.

To measure bore diameters affordably involves a digital caliper, which copes with both inside and outside measurements from a fraction of an inch to about 6 inches. There is a bit of a hassle when measuring cylinder bore diameters with this kind of caliper because of the unworn "ridge" at the top of the cylinder. Some ingenuity is required to deal with this: you need to measure the diameter about one centimeter down from the top of the bore, at right angles to the crankshaft, because this will be the most-worn spot.

And for anyone who cares, a microtome is an instrument used for cutting very thin slices of tissue to examine under a microscope. Generally, not useful to motor mechanics unless they have a body to dispose of and a very small garbage bin.

I will keep this in mind! :P

Probably will get shot down for saying this but the old victa bores are pretty durable, even if it is marginal on rebore wear with new rings it will still run nicely if its just going to be a display mower

You won't be shot down by me at least, Joe. My experience is that for light duty use, you can get a fair amount of service from a worn bore. (I'm not so keen about a gouged or scored one, though.) Both with cars and mowers, I've found that you can use them gently for years with new rings in a rather tapered bore, provided you don't run them hard, and you don't mind a modest amount of oil consumption and blow-by. On the other hand if you want to use them for hard yakka, it isn't really worth while. They won't last long in severe service, and it just isn't worth the labour to dismantle and reassemble them for the short time they'll last. Other people's experience may differ - I think it probably depends mostly on just how hard and how often you can use a machine and still call it "light duty".

I can remember a guy selling a front loader-backhoe to a builder. He regarded the fairly tired old Massey 40 Industrial as in good working condition. As it turned out the builder put the machine to work like it was a new one. Took it straight to his site, and ran it really hard for 8 hours plus without a break. By then it had used all the oil its 3 cylinder Perkins could hold, and ruined its crankshaft bearings. A nasty dispute arose between the dealer and the builder. There were plenty of signs it was running out of oil of course, but the builder wasn't interested in or sensitive to such things.

I agree, from what you have said here and elswhere, seems to me it will not be destined for enough work to really have a problem with a worn bore, Judging by the size of your collection, and the fact that you have a fairly small lawn, and a non-collection mower or three aside to cut it, I imagine this thing will mainly be started to show that it does run, and just to keep it alive, rather than kept in any form of regular service.

Or have you decided this will be your new daily?

Still going to make sure it isn't say over 8 thou oversize.As let's face it once it gets to that it will start to blow smoke.Whether it's for display or not.It would look silly having it as a display after being restored and looking new.To pull the cord and get covered in smoke.I fairly sure it's not that bad,in fact I think a hone out and new rings will properly do the job,but there's no harm checking.Thanks for the correct name.I didn't think I had it right.I did have one.Was given to me by an engine re-builder who was retiring.I think it disappeared the same time the mowers were taken.Some friend he turned out to be.

Alternately you can get an ungraduated set of internal measuring sticks that you remove and measure with vernier calipers/external micrometer.

Actually called a telescoping bore guage.
Heres one
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6PCE-5-1...ar_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0e131e95


Its what i bought. Not overly accurate but you can get an idea from it.
As was mentioned above, fresh rings in a worn bore will give service. I got the above measuring sticks and they were useful for a rough check of diamter, run out and tapering on the bore in my bike motor. Ring a ding ding. Yeah it was a little bit worn and ridden hard and put away wet.

It smoked, its mant too its a two stroke.



I think with all those mowers your going to have there Jeffery you will need to host a monthy mower start up day. Imagine that, a backyard with 20 plus Victas ring dinging away. Music to my ears. Beer is your shout.


Heres a cheap version of the real deal if your feeling rich.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CYLINDER...ar_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45fd169b4e

And a set in the US that are not cheaper but look to be a bit better quality
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/dial-bor...ck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45fd0e1e28

Sometimes you can get good stuff like this for a good price slightly used from an army surplus disposals store.

Thanks Bob I think I just might get one of those lads.

Yes I have decided that I'm just going to clean it up hone the bore put new rings it.After all it's days of mowing the lawn (With me) are over.Just so long as it doesn't blow heaps of smoke.As it will be run every so often.

Hi all whilst I was recovering at home after my operation.I decided it was time I got my finger out of my bum and finally get my purple VC-Sports running.The actual mower in the pictures above became a donor mower for parts from another purple VC-Sports,that Ty Davis gave to me before leaving Canberra (Thank you Ty for your gift with this mower).
This gift one had a much better un-broken base.I did rebuild (Not new) the original motor from the first mower,so I have an original spare.However I wanted to see if I could save this motor.
I could here:




Rings were showing a little wear but not worth replacing.Other than that the motor was in quite good condition.I honed the bore and cleaned everything.After putting it back together it turned over quite freely and with no noise.Awesome I thought.
This was not a restore (At this stage),it was just a clean and get running.
I will restore it for sure just not yet.
So I then returned the engine back onto it's clean base.






Here she is monents before the first start.

There is a crack down this side of the catcher. Unfortunately somebody put a piece of alloy over the crack.That will make it a bit harder to repair.Thank you to Rodeobob for saving the catcher.




I have put a video of it up on YouTube if anybody wanted to have a look.

Purple VC Sports First Start

It did blow a little bit of smoke when it started but when I put the motor together I know I used a little to much oil on the inside.Also I couldn't get it to rev right as the accelerator cable has a bend in it.I have since replaced the cable.
I forgot how many photos I can put up in one post.
I hope I didn't over do it.
Does anybody else have one of these purple ones?
Just like to know how many are still out there.