there's no play in the blade plate. Maybe 1mm of play on the con rod to the crank but that is all
Sorry i might have confused you re; blade plate.
Theres two bearings under the crank. Side to side movement in the plate is movememnt in these bearings, thats what i was suggesting you look for.
Is the underside of the motor Oily?? Above the flywheel fan??? All around the coil etc, it will have oil gunk all over it.
If the bottom crank seal is bad and/or the bearings are sloppy it needs to be rebuilt. Not expensive to do, not even technically that difficult. The 2 crank bearings can be got from any bearing shop. The bottom one is a special one made for Victas with the seal built in.
Con rod to crank sounds a bit sloppy.
Hardest part with rebuilding a Power torque is getting the big end conrod bolt undone. Some are easy, gentle tap with a pin punch is all it takes. Others are so tight they will destroy themselves, the specal tool, your knuckles and your will to live and still not budge.
