Yes that its Dave. Very common catcher.
From the late 90's the alloy base mowers use that catcher as well.
There 3 catchers, early two piece with one handle on the top. Later 'twin grip saftery catcher) Theres a few varations on this some had mesh in the top others a plastic grate. This one also came in a loverly red, bewdafull. Then the one with the pannels be they coloured or just all black. Ive got one of these here and its green. Pritty!
The mowers with the steel door on them, with the handle in the centre they will take all 3 styles, the centre part of the lower lip or back lip that hooks on the catcher is missing, the earlier catcher had a raised bit here. These will not fit on a mower with the later steel door that has its handle off set to the side or the plastic door, it has a full lip across the bottom of the door to hook onto the catcher. Hope that makes sense.
A hone is only $30 or so from super cheap. Get one with 4" stones, the big car size one. It wont drop in or catch in the transfer ports. Load it up with wd40, hone away, (cordless) drill at a slow-med speed. Wash it out with WD then some solvent, then hot soapy water and a clean light coloured lint free rag. When the rag wipes out clean its good to go.
Then dry it good.
Use 2 stroke oil to lube stuff up when assembling it.
Im not sure what i would do.
It needs the right piston.
Id probably use a new piston and rings, hone it. For the sake of $35 put new bearings in the crank. Depends what you want to ask for it and how much work you want to do (for nothing, yeah i realise that time is not everything, you can chalk it up to experience and getting familiar with Victas).
Then use little used new rings in something else. They should not be too damaged. If they do look a bit sad, bin em. As long as you had it all well lubed when you put them in id say you would bearly be able to see they were used.
I would say the warning on the piston choice is more for when the rings get real worn, the ends could bust off and start floating about in the motor. I doubt they would snag being an open trench and not a port like other motors. But you never know.
So far as performance, well it should have full compression. If its not quite right, it wont, on its way to wearing itself out it may wear itself in and be quite acceptable. They have to be pretty stuffed and sad before they start having compression related issues. Blowing smoke is the first sign, more so when cold or warming up.
I get stuff all mowers come back. I do make sure they are right, ive got to be happy with them, im sure i could find some learned critics that would not be happy with what i would call acceptable.
I had one guy bring back a mower that was pretty new and he paid good money for it, twice. First time the back cover had popped off the carb, second time it had crap in the main jet. He was still happy, polite and accomodating.
A few have come back with water.
One crapper ($80 Series 80 MKII steel base with a few rust pin holes) came back and would not run, i just gave the lady a $125 mower and told her to be on her way, she was happy. Never did sort that mower, its been out in the rain, i did suspect low compression.
Plenty i have unloaded out of the boot of peoples cars, turned the fuel tap off and ripped 10 or 20 times and they have fired up. They get a bit embarassed.
I do a price point $125 Victa. I havent had an issue yet, but if i do, i will just tell em to pick another one. Thats provided i cant fix the mower easily on the spot.
