OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines VC-160 Bits & Pieces.

Ok, The two bases that you have already started are the MKI & MKII Bases.

The base that does not have the Guide post is the MKI Base i gave you, The one with the post, and the I cast near the engine mounts is the MKII you first started with (right back at the begining!)

The new base, from the coast is a MKIIIB base, it was cast in the same mold as the first series of VC-160 Auto Drive, But does not have the cut out for the belt to pass through, however it does have the spacing for the belt to run around the pulley, and other casting marks for the Auto.

There is another type of base, the normal MKIII, or MKIIIA, it has the same engine mount area (no belt space) as the first two, but is a MKIII base. I have one here for you.

The MKIIIA also had a slightly different cowl to the MKIIIB, the MKIIIB has a smoother lip around the hole for the starter, While the MKIIIA cowl, is the same as a standard MKII Cowl, wich still shows casting indentations for the starter cover used on the MKI

I'm not sure I completely followed you there.I think I got confused.The base with the guide post is the one I got of you.It also had the letter I between the engine mount bolt holes at the back of the base.I'm sure I posted pictures of them in the other VC topic.The one that is now closed.Also when I looked in my photos of the Mark I & II when I first got them I can clearly see no guide post.That's what I trying to work out.From what I can see here that one does appear to be a Mark III base.As the other one I have here is almost the same.There are also some little different's under the base.It looks to be more about strengthening the exhaust hole.My problem is I can't really use a Mark III base to do a Mark I or II.It wouldn't be right.So that's what I'm trying to find out if it is a Mark III.If it is I may have to cut the post off so at least it would be visually right.

The one with the I and the post is a MKII, it is a later MKII, cast in the later half of the MKII run.

The one with one post is the MKI i gave you to replace the cracked MKI one you already had.

The MKIII you have is actually an MKIIIB, as it has the belt runner for the Auto Drive.

The later MKII's and all MKIII's had the guide post.

So would that be 1972 or 1973?

Would Witch be 72 or 73?

If you look at the seized engine from the First VC-160 you got, the serial will tell you the year of the base with the I

If you look at your MKIII engine, from the coast, that will tell you the age of the late VC-160 and it's base.

And I remember your MKI engine is 1970, and i can confirm the engine i took off that base (the one with only one post) was a 1970 engine.

No I think your getting mixed up.The one with the I and the guide post is the one I got of you.Have a look back in the post Rant about VC and there I commented about the different cast marks and the I.That's why I'm trying to work out what it was, with year and exactly what it was.Don't you think if it was I had got that I would be asking questions like that?As I said I have pictures here of when I got them and none except the Mark III have the guide post.

Jeffery, I have looked back to the original post, HERE, and as you can see, you are the one who originally said that the one with the I was your original MKII.

The one with the I is a MKII, not a MKIII, and would be most likely a 1971 base, I believe your seized original motor confirms this.

the one With one post is a MKI, not a MKII, and is a 1970 base, I have it's engine here.

The MKIII is the one with the belt guides.

I have also now checked every one i can find.

Both my MKI's have no guide post
My MKII's have a guide post
One of my MKIII's has a guide post and belt runners
Two of my MKIII's have guide posts and no belt runners

Well that's all I wanted to know now.I don't have to cut it off.Which is good as I so far have spent many hours getting it ready.I really didn't want to have to cut it off.It's almost ready for paint.Not that I can at the moment [Censored] whether.

Make sure to write it down this time so you dont mix them up when you are putting them back together.

The one with one post is the MKI i gave you, it goes with the engine that has a serial starting with 52700, which i beleive you have already restored.

The one with the 2 posts is your original MKII, and needs an engine with 52710 on it, as the original (Seized) engine most likely would have had, You should have most of the parts for this engine now, between what you saved of the original engine, and what i have given you, though i do have a dust-seal washer, and a lower crank case for this.

the one with the belt runners is a later MKIII, if you need to replace the cowl for this one, make sure the lip on the cowl, around the starter, is smooth, and continuous.

I have an early MKIII here for you, it is very similar to your MKII base, and must be matched with a cowl of the same type, the lip around the starter hole on this cowl, will have 3 indents, that mark where screws were drilled in for the MKI (as it was cast from the same mold)

If you have a Mark III cowl yes I'll take it.If not I will repair this one.It's not great but I do think it's repairable.Is it the same as the Mark II cowl? Only asking as I thought I herd you say they were different.It is the same as the one I have for the Mark II.The only thing except what you said,that I need for the Mark II & III is good non-broken fin heads.I only need one now,as I'm going to pull the head of the Corvette 2 and replace it with one I have here.It has a small broken fin on the bottom,but you won't see it on that mower.Due to engine being around the other way.

OK, I'll explain the cowls.

The first one was the MKI, which has 3 metal tabs around the lip, which the plastic starter cover screws into. These 3 metal tabs rest in 3 square indentations in the lip, and the lip itself is a flat, squared of rim. There are also 3 holes, in these 3 indents, which the screws pass through.

The MKII Cowl, as well as the Early MKIII cowl, were made from the same cast, so while the 3 screw holes are gone, the 3 indentations are still there, and there is a noticeable ridge running around the lip.

The later MKIII cowl, does not have any indentations, nor is there a ridge, the lip simply slopes down at the edge of the hole.

If you get your MKIII cowl, which i know to be a later one, and compare the lip around the starter hole to your MKII cowl, you will see what i mean.

The MKIII base i have here waiting for you is an early MKIII base, and it takes the exact same cowl as your MKII, not your MKIII.

Actually, Looking back at your MKII, it may have the wrong cowl (this is common, as the replacement cowl throughout the 70's was the late MKIII, so may MKII's have it, I have often seen MKI's with it, and the wrong starter.

Will you be using the original cowl that came with your MKII?

Yes I will have to as I only have 3 cowls that are worth using.The cowls for the Mark II & III are the same one's. Off-course the Mark III one is rough but at least repairable.

Hmm...

I am starting to suspect they may have cast them parallel, Being that some MKII's and some MKIII gone one, and some got the other.

Looking back ai my records, I have some MKIIIB's with the sharp edge, and some MKIIIA's with the smooth edge, as well as about a 50/50 slpit for the MKII's.

So its quite possible that it is original.

Also, I have an auto drive with the sharp edge...

See I need to come out there someday.

It is a bit of a museum here!

Yes it certainly sounds like it.I don't have to purchase a ticket to come out.Do I?

Hi Ty in the process of per-pairing all the items (On the 3 VC's) for paint.I have notice that the black engine cover for the Mark II,is in very bad shape.Lots of cracks and 1 very big dent.Right at the point that it would be visible.I was hoping that you would have a spare one.The only spares I have are off later models.They have extra holes in them and brackets for the fuel tank,so there not the right ones.If you have a spare please let me know.As the progress is now going like a wild fire,I need it fairly quick.If you don't have one then I guess I will have to try and repair this one.Will take a while it properly is repairable.Just will take many hours of welding, grinding,panel beating and sanding.

I should have a few of those around, I will check tonight, and add it to the lot I am hoping to be able to get to you tomorrow.

Cool thanks man

You are going quite well with your little family, MKI, MKII & MKIIIB so far.

I'll try and dig up the cowl with the notches, to give you with this MKIIIA base i have for you, that way you will have all 3 cowls in tyour family.

I have now worked our the full variants range, I beleive:

1970-71
MKI (Base 1, Cowl 1)
1971-72
MKIIA (Base 1, Cowl 2)
MKIIB (Base 1, Cowl 3)
1972-73
MKIIIA1 (Base 3, Cowl 2)
MKIIIA2 (Base 3, Cowl 3)
MKIIIB1 (Base 4, Cowl 2)
MKIIIB2 (Base 4, Cowl 3)

Wlile the MKI, MKII, & MKIII Variants represent different year models, I beleve the other variations are specific to some being cast on different presses, but not at different times

I wouldn't bother trying to get all of them, What you will have soon, is the 4 main variations, MKI, MKII, and the 2 different MKIII bases (One being the normal MKIII base, the other being cast in the same machine as the Auto Drive)

Ok cool.I guess my next part is to start on the VC Mustangs.Collecting that is.Send Johno a message to arrange pick-up of the 2 he has.I still haven't herd from him yet.Somebody grabbed the one I was going to get from Mitchell.Mongrel!!Yes the other restores are going well.Still have a fair bit to do.The Mark I & II base's are ready for painting.All the pieces that are going to be painted black are also nearly ready.Pulled apart the Mark III's engine last night.[Censored] fine looking engine.Doesn't seem to have had much use.I'd say somebody at some point has worked on it.Very clean internally.Had to pull it apart to clean it,externally.Very dirty on the outside.Hoping to be able to start putting together soon.