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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 165
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Just discovered that the motor on a rust riddled steel deck I found late last year seems to run really well after I swapped decompression valves from a water logged motor on another wreck after discovering the one on this motor was cactus.
I was originally going to put it onto a good steel deck of mine with a problematic motor but realised it runs so sweet and starts so easily I wouldn't mind puttin it onto my yellow Vortex instead as it seems to be reliant on spray starter to get it going of late and has always made some funny knocking noises at low revs. Runs nice once it gets going though.
Only thing is, the Vortex has a different poppet valve in the carburettor and the square shaped air cleaner and would kind of stop being a true Vortex.
What do others think?


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,168
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SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Different bolt pattern motor won't fit

Joined: Feb 2006
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SENIOR TECHNICIAN
I transferred a good motor from a rusted out steel deck to a my white V40 Mustang a decade ago.
Ahh, well. A reason not to molest my Vortex and stick with plan A.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Jan 2016
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SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Trying to swap the engines over is like trying to fit a 6 cylinder Falcon motor into a Commodore, can be done but the end result isn't worth the effort. Why would you not repair the Vortex motor, repair that and it will outlast you

Joined: Feb 2006
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HMMMM!! Interesting analogy NormK .
I will heed your advice.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,675
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Well, here is the final result. Swapped the good motor from the rusted red deck onto the blue steel deck that had a water logged engine (subject of another post "Waterlogged Powertorque" https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u.../Waterlogged_Powertorque..html#Post81341). I now have a decent mower that runs well.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]



Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Jan 2015
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AVB Offline
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Something is puzzling me about these Victas especially after finally seeing an IPL. Are you guys mowing under water? The snorkel intake is different. It something I have seen mention several times and it had me wondering what it was.

Joined: Feb 2006
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It is to keep the intake away from all the dust that the mower stirs up, thereby preventing the air filter clogging up as often.
Victa has had the snorkel set up for decades, as have some other Australian mower brands.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Joined: Jan 2016
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AVB another thing is the throttle cable runs inside the snorkel stopping it from rusting and kinking when the handle is folded up. B&S put a snorkel on a few earlier models out here to help keep the dust out of the filter, looked a bit like an afterthought though

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AVB Offline
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As I said just curious if you guys was mowing under water. lol

Does make sense on why it was/is done. I got a few wheeled string trimmers that could use something like that. The air filters comes in caked with mud at times where they are cutting in wet conditions.

Joined: Feb 2006
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SENIOR TECHNICIAN
I think the common American/Canadian in the suburbs would consider it cool looking.


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

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