wombatini I do very much agree with what blue has said about the filter and really shouldn't need an extra filter on it.There should be a filter on top of the fuel tap.
Like this filter on top of the brass fitting.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2015/03/full-5048-20832-filter.jpg)
That really should be all that is needed,as anything else will restricted the flow.
The cover for the starter was only ever one size as the VC-160 Mark I was the only mower it was fitted to.I guess that's why they are becoming hard to find.
It will most likely be the dress cowl is sitting a little to high.As the starter as you know is bolted to the engine and perhaps the dress cowl is a little higher than it use to be.
Is the dress cowl plastic? I only ask as the originals were some kind of fiber glass,but not fiber glass (I'm not sure exactly what it is made of) and the later replacements were plastic as were the VC-160 Auto Drives,except the Mark I.If it has been replaced with a plastic one it may have warped as the plastic doesn't age well.
So have a look and try to see if you can fix it as you don't want to have to try and get another one as they are getting hard to find.