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Mowerfreak #80091 16/12/16 05:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,842
Likes: 14
Moderator
Originally Posted by Mowerfreak
I have little experience in pulling apart the engines like you have. 1. What do you use to de-coke the piston crown and head and is it realy vital to do it at all?
Scrapers [see above], and a small fine wire brush wheel in an electric drill are the handiest tools for this job. Yes it is a necessary task, as if the carbon builds up too much, it can crack off in chunks and cause damage. Pre-ignition can occur from hot carbon, as well - it usually happens when the carbon is thick, and the surface rough.
Quote
2. what is a proper method to remove the old gasket without digging into the metal in the process. I recently tried doing it with a used razor blade on an old powertorque and found it a frustrating experience. I ended up resorting to rubbing the head on sand paper mounted on a sheet of glass to remove all traces!
Scraper/s,as mentioned above. BTW, lapping the sealing surface of the head using fairly fine [400-600 grit] wetted wet & dry paper, backed by sheet glass, is an excellent way of ensuring that the surface is flat.
Quote
3. Do you need a torque wrench to tighten the head nuts or is there a rule of thumb method to tightening coreectly, including the sequence?
Well, it's best practice to use a torque wrench, but it wasn't specified by Victa until the 160cc engine came out [9-11 ft-lb, BTW]. The workshop manuals for the 125's just say 'tighten evenly and firmly'; see this Victa workshop manual excerpt: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/pages/V...icta%20Workshop%20%20Engine%20Manual.pdf

If you don't have a suitable torque wrench [those sold for car work are difficult to set accurately at these low torque values], use a fairly short spanner [say a ring/open end combo], or a 1/4" drive socket wrench. This will help to avoid over-tightening the nuts.
The tightening sequence is straightforward; do them on the diagonals, i.e. like this:
[Linked Image]




Cheers,
Gadge

"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."

"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
speedy #80093 16/12/16 08:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,842
Likes: 14
Moderator
G'day folks,

Originally Posted by speedy
It's engine no is 02002343 and VI on the other side of the engine.
Well, the plastic carby says it's 1975 or later, and that number format makes it 1977 on. That's as close as I can date it, without a model number.


Cheers,
Gadge

"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."

"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
speedy #80123 17/12/16 03:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
The model no on the air filter cap is MN 332A9 if that is original.

thanks
speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80157 18/12/16 04:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Hello Gadge,
I had a spare set of rings and comparing the two I can easily see how the ones from the mayfair have lost their spring will be putting the new ones in.
speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80188 19/12/16 03:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Gwtting things together, rebuilt decompresor, and carby it was missing the small spring between the two things inside...... a new big o ring and looks good.
Tried a repair on the muffle, may save $30 as the warden doesn't like me spending money on my hobbies.....
Buggered a barel gasket as I didn't use two pieces of wood to res piston on.....
Get one tomorrow.
speedy [Linked Image]


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80192 19/12/16 05:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Is that a sealing layer I see under that metal plate? Did it need more stuffing inside? The muffler off my 125 has it missing where the gases shoot in. Is that normal?
Thanks for sharing those useful tips tips Gadge. No longer as angsty about pulling it apart.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
speedy #80205 19/12/16 04:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
It's a piece of head gasket, might help. I didn't fill it with anything, might put a couple of those metel scourers in. You need that gasket where the muffler meets the manifold.
Yes you learn a lot here.
cheers
speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80235 20/12/16 03:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Fixed that missing rod with a cut off bolt.
It's coming together [Linked Image]

speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80238 20/12/16 04:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,184
Likes: 232
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
speedy, what is that bolt for?

speedy #80240 20/12/16 05:40 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 67
Trainee
Thatd be where the muffler clips hook onto

speedy #80241 20/12/16 06:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,184
Likes: 232
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
of course, silly me

speedy #80334 22/12/16 04:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Put it all together, good spark, fresh fuel getting to plug, compression, wouldn't fire.
Tried to check timing 1 eighth inch before top dead centre. See in the pic there is not much adjustment of the plate as the holes are ound , not elongated as I have seen on another 125. Try again today.
Now the pull start doesn't grip so I'm just using the easy starter......
speedy
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80395 24/12/16 04:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Got the timing right and put an orange needle valve in as the other one was sticking. Runs well......
Only now the easystarter loosened the flywheel nut and it flew off in the grass .......... somewhere, but I'm happy with the engine now.
merry christmas to all
speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80510 28/12/16 02:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
I did a ladys lawn up the road, it went perfectly, wet and long lawn. Plenty of power with the flat lifted up a bit and razer sharp blades.
I'm still in trouble with the misses though........
speedy
[Linked Image]


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80633 01/01/17 04:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
I mowed my lawn, wet and think, it went well.Never missed a beat.
I used that Aldi $10 rust paint with inbuilt primer, 1lt Killrust is about $38,,. makes things easier.
Lost the pullstart as it just slipped, but an old school pull start with a rope works well.
Happy and safe new year..
speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80637 01/01/17 10:19 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 960
Likes: 20
Moderator
I like it Speedy, and it'll cut anything you put in front of it.

speedy #80643 01/01/17 08:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
I presume you used the Aldos paint on the engine cowl? I have a tin of the black German made rust paint that I will use on a pair of terribly corroded handlebars. Of course, I will go over it with a wire bush mounted on an angle grinder first.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
speedy #80646 01/01/17 08:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,184
Likes: 232
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
I think it is important that these 2 strokes are salvaged from the scrap bin because they are on the endangered list of becoming extinct from now forward as production of them has ceased. These are the best grass cutting machine ever built, you can cut your lawn with a Briggs, but if you want to cut grass you use a 2 stroke, and Victa built the best 2 strokes

speedy #80650 02/01/17 12:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Yes Mowerfreak I used the Aldi paint on the cowl. It's good stuff, like an epoxy paint doesn't seem to melt in petrol. I have been soaking rusted parts in half molasses and half water for two weeks and all rust disolved. Molasses is cheap 85c per litre at an ag shop. I am trying alloy and copper as well.

I salvage them because I can get them going and can use them and then the warden thinks some should be sold.......
The ones I do the most work I like to keep..

cheers
speedy


Last edited by speedy; 02/01/17 12:06 AM.

........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #80656 02/01/17 04:15 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Can you show the finish of the cowl up close? Used a brush I take it?


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
speedy #80671 02/01/17 04:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Yes I used a brush, could be better, but it's a good paint. I did my boat trailer and vice..
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
cheers
speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #82215 03/02/17 06:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
It looks really good. Who needs spray paint? smile


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
speedy #82221 03/02/17 06:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 32
Junior Technician
Yer you have just got to watch Aldi and get it when it's available, in black, white dark green. $10 a litre, can't go wrong.
I gave the mower back to the family who gave me a whole lot of stuff.....
cheers speedy


........................Keep your blades sharp......................
speedy #82222 03/02/17 07:37 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
I have a tin already. Still waiting to open it up. Good to see how it looks.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
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