Hi just scored a victa twin, its not in the best condition but has good compression. Just like to post a few photos of the motor and the unusual muffler. The muffler has a hole in it, any ideas how to patch it up? Also the top nut holding the flywheel on is totally rounded, any ideas on how to get it off? Im very keen on restoring this mower, the base is in decent condition but the catcher is nearly buggered, so ill either get stuck in to alot of plasic welding. It didnt come with a cowling so ill have to search the world for one. Praying that one comes up. Any comments guys will be extremely appreciated. Will post photos of my progress.
Last edited by CyberJack; 25/06/1712:34 PM. Reason: Embed images.
On FEEbay a few months ago there was a black cowl with a hole on top. Forget what they wanted. It was pricey for a damaged one but not unaffordable. Hopefully a nice white one will pop up from an owner that has given up on his.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I was looking at one a couple of days ago that is the half twin with the single cylinder version. Probably nothing off that would fit. The top looks similar but is probably smaller
You sure about that, doesnt look like it, but im sure you know more than me. Ive cleaned it all up now and have posted a better photo. The base cleaned up a threat, its usually the ones that have never been cleaned that come up the best...
Last edited by CyberJack; 25/06/1712:41 PM. Reason: Embed images.
Hi all, You must now play the waiting game for parts, will be worth it in the end I'm sure. Just looking at your rounded nut and it doesn't look like a nut at all, either way the only way I can think of getting it off is by drilling a hole straight through as low to the bottom as possible that will take a pice of rod.
A good thick piece that won't bend but you will have to stop the crank from turning somehow, just an idea.
The pulley could be a wack on and wack off type as well, like the older Victa Special starter pulleys. Put a wooden block against the pull cord groove and give it a hit with a solid hammer to loosen. I would try that first.
Hi all, You must now play the waiting game for parts, will be worth it in the end I'm sure. Just looking at your rounded nut and it doesn't look like a nut at all, either way the only way I can think of getting it off is by drilling a hole straight through as low to the bottom as possible that will take a pice of rod. and give it a hit with a solid hammer to loosen. I would try that first.
Another way I thought of is cut or grind away the cup exposing the rounded nut. Then a big pipe wrench. I presume the cup from a125 or 160 will fit as a replacement.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Another way I thought of is cut or grind away the cup exposing the rounded nut. Then a big pipe wrench. I presume the cup from a125 or 160 will fit as a replacement.
The workshop manual says that this nut is just the standard Victa 13/16" AF shouldered hex starter cup nut. No idea what previous tenants might have done, to get it to its current state!
The drum/cup is toast anyway, so I'd just take a hacksaw to it, to cut it off just above the flat section at the bottom. Grinders don't work too well, on soft metals. That way the nut's accessible for use of Vise-Grip pliers, or a Stillson/Footprint pipe wrench.
Or even, in the worst case scenario, to arc weld a length of pipe with a cross-hole drilled in it to the nut, to get it undone.
The starter drum part number is ST12353A, so it's the same as the Zip Starter cup used on the other full crank engines. And the nut is P/No ST12228A.
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..."
No idea what previoust tenants might have done, to get it to its current state!
Wrong size socket on a rattle gun to get a nut to look like that, I'd say. Maybe they used a multi-hex to achieve that look. Excellent info as always Gadge.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I just put her back together. Thanks to your advice I cut off the starter cup and got the flywheel nut off. I cleaned the fuel tank and carburettor, put it all back together and used a drill to start her up and first go she fired and ran beautifully. In all my years of working on lawnmowers ive never been so happy to hear one fire up. Its loud as, due to the hole in the muffler, so any ideas on how or who could fix it would be extremely appreciated. Just waiting for a cowling to come along, and once it does i will do a full resto on this baby.
You're really getting stuck in. I tend to procrastinate too much. Hope somebody can advise you on the exhaust and you get your cowl & catcher real soon.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
With regards to the muffler. As they are a bit rare, and untill you can get hold of a good one. I would make a patch, some steel in he right shape, and even put some head gasket off cuts between and screw it all together..... it'l work. Here's one I did on a Victa..... 125 Mayfair. Little self tappers .
I had one of those in the 70's , smooth running and reliable .........
good luck, it will go speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
I have some twin bits loafing around. By "Cowl" do you mean the plastic outer cover or the black steel cooling ducting that goes under the plastic cover? I have a good steel cooling duct you are welcome to if that's the part you need.
I also have a muffler but it is missing the bottom plate. Looks pretty easy to make one of them though.