I was dismantling this motor and found this cavity at the top of the engine under the magnetic flywheel. It is covered by a plate and gasket held on with two small bolts (removed). It has this steel mesh tucked in a cavity (visible in the photo).
Any idea what this is for? Very curious.

Attachments
IMG_20221207_001016_copy_960x542.jpg (53.48 KB, 41 downloads)

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