OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines Victa VC 160 Questions

A couple of weeks ago I bought a couple of old Victas for $25 each. One's an early VC160 with the G3 carby and the impulse starter and the other's a Radio Rentals branded mower with the service code 186.



Both are in good physical shape and should be a nice couple of projects now that winter's on the way!

I started off taking a look at the red one - which was a very poor runner when I bought it. Disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt the G4 carby (an early one I think - without the priming bulb) as per the manual and she's running like a dream!

Having not owned a 2-stroke mower before I was however quite surprised at the noise levels. I know they're louder than their 4 stroke counterparts but this required use of ear defenders just to mow my back yard!

Not an unhealthy engine noise but loud. Like someone riding a dirt bike round my garden at full throttle. There are no obvious holes in the muffler as far as I can see. Perhaps this is just how they are meant to be but I�m sure I�ve heard people mowing with 2-strokes before that aren�t this loud.

I've a couple of video on YouTube about repacking the muffler (albeit on a Powertorque but presumably the theory is the same) but have a couple of questions:

Is this generally effective?

Can I use wire wool as the video suggests, or would I be better off buying muffler packing material?

Would I be better off buying a new (but non-genuine) replacement muffler from eBay?

If I re-pack, how much material should I use? Should I fill the muffler or just pack around the edges?

Any other hints, tips or suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

i dont think ordinary steel wool would last very long. maybe the scotch brite type stainless steel pads would be a better option.they are a lot courser and less restrictive.

The VC-160 good find.That is actually the VC-160 Mark I From 1970-71.In the green book was know as Model 70VJ victacode V80.
Hope the plastic ring around the impulse starter is in good condition very hard to find good ones of those.
Seriously when it comes to mufflers I just buy new ones.I just don't see the need to repack them.To much would only suffocate the engine not enough would still be loud.For the price that they are at I just think going new is just a lot easier.
Are you going to restore them? or just get them up and running?
Just to inspire you on here is a picture of my mark I.


Just have to get my handles re-chromed and then it's done.

Hey Llessur, I was going to buy those two! But kept wavering about it because I have too many mowers in the back yard. (One day the council might condemn my property.LOL). I am glad they went to a loving home. I have two VC's that look just the same except for the impulse starter. .► ps: isn't Blumby's VC a good looking machine? (By the time I am 70 I will be able to do that.)best regards Chris.♂

Ah, I thought at $25 a piece they might have been snapped up by the time I called - $25 for a running mower is pretty good even for a scrappy one - but these two are in good condition with intact catchers etc

They've definitely gone to a good home - I love tinkering with stuff so they'll have many more years of mowing ahead of them! I can't promise results as good as Blumby's but will enjoy trying!

Cheers Blumby � will take your advice on the mufflers � can get one for about $15 on eBay so it�s not going to be worth messing around with the one I�ve got. I�m not expecting miracles but if it knocks a few dBs off the sound levels then that�ll be a bonus! The red one�s going to become my �daily driver� to replace my cheap and cheerful Masport 4 stroke so I want to keep the neighbours fairly happy!

Your VC looks awesome by the way. I�ll certainly be attempting some sort of restoration on mine but not sure I�ll be able to match your results. I�d quite like to be able to use it occasionally so I don�t think it�ll be a show piece but it�s solid and all there so it should end up looking quite nice!

The plastic around the starter is indeed present and undamaged as far as I can see � will make sure I take good care of that!

One issue I have noticed with the starter is that it doesn�t always �catch� when you wind it. Sometimes the handle just turns without seemingly engaging the spring. Fiddling around with the little lever on the side usually gets it to work in a few attempts. Is there a knack to this or does this signify a problem with the mechanism? How serviceable are these starters? I�ve downloaded the manual but they always make it look easy!

Here�s a few photos of my VC for your enjoyment - any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Except for the throttle. That's broken and rubbish. Someone's hashed up a replacement but it's on my 'to-do' list...

Wow the starter ring is indeed intact good work.Just be careful with it they do and can get brittle,yours doesn't look that bad.I had one that when I tried to take it off it just crumbed in my hand.
I guess with all 3 of my VC-160's they are not going to be mowing any lawns,yes they will run but not mow.I guess that's why I went to the trouble of detailing everything the way I did.If I was going to use them that would then be a different story.
As for the starter,


The biggest problem I have found with these starters is the release lever No29.As it connects to a piece (which I think in that is No27) the dog release assembly.As that can be worn and then doesn't lock in and will cause the spring hub assembly No31 not to lock in and cause the problem you are having.So I'd look there first,it is a common problem as they do wear out.
Hope that made some sense.

Thanks so much for the input and the scans - these will be very useful!

Have been away for the long weekend but hope to get stuck in next weekend. Will keep you updated with my progress!

Not problem at all.Need more help just ask.
Look forward to hear about your progress.

The pawl on the 'dog release assembly' is spring-loaded. A common failure mode was for the spring to fail. So the pawl would then no longer be pressed against the spring hub teeth, and it usually wouldn't engage to lock the hub, unless you got very lucky! Replacing the dog release assembly was a common job, back in the day.

The 'Victa Old Starter' doco at https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=54967 shows the setup before the dog release became an 'assembly'.