II found another Gardenline mower on the side of the road but it was ash 18" model with a different starter, so I modified this three hole starter by drilling holes in the correct position. I then cut about 1cm off the top of the starter cup to fit it on as well as the use of three old bearings to lift it by a few mm to clear the cup.
Starts easily and runs nicely but with a very slight surging that's barely noticeable once the engine heats up.
Thanks for all your inputs.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
