OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines Lightning Rotary Lawnmower

Morning Paul

Couldn't see any wire clip but the coil was as snug fit on the armature post and gently pried off with two screw drivers as you suggested. It' a Tecumseh coil and ( part ? ) number on front is 30546.

Thanks
wce

Hi Paul and all
Was lucky enough to source a complete coil unit with points, condenser and the clip which holds the coil in place so many thanks to Paul for that important information, I think this is what put the mower into early retirement. It was strange that the coil is identical ( looks to be ) to the original with same name and part number but the name and number are opposite to the original.
I fitted the coil this afternoon and the Lightning now has spark ! in anticipation of a start I dropped the blade plate off and changed the engine oil. Nothing special about the blade plate, not sure what the diamond shapes in the plate are for but you can definitely fit 4 blades to the plate if desired. Luckily the blades are in good nik so will just give them a light sharpen. Need to now get a fuel bowl gasket, give the carb a basic clean, clean out the tank and fit a fuel tap, then touch wood will fire up. Picture clearly shows the clip location bottom right of coil.

Cheers
wce

Hi WCE,

That’s good news having a spark now, my Chinese coils came today and they look fine. I will fit one up to my test machine and see how it goes.

Your blade carrier is correct, the extra holes are for different manufacturers blade bolts.

Hi Paul and all

She started a treat and runs beautifully, I'm a big fan of the Kirby Lauson's, the 4 stroke equivalent of the Victa 2 stroke in my opinion. Next I installed the starter drum kindly sent from jack, installed the original impulse starter and it all works as the manufacturer intended. Great little project to get her going again and very rewarding seeing it come back to life after a long rest. Many thanks to all contributors for the assistance.

cheers
wce

G'day wce and all 'mowa luvers'
I'll put in my two cents worth here...

In lawnmowers, I guess the world was divided between the 2-strokers and the 4-strokers.
I now feel that's an irrelevant view in ... the modern world.

I mean - just like the Holden/Ford divide - the World has moved on.

I happen to appreciate the 1960s Kirbys - and I should point this out ...
1950s Victas were 2-strokes and they gave Victa ... a great reputation.
[Here I would mention robust design, swing-back blades and remote air intakes]

But Victa made its money in the 1960s using, primarily, 4-strokes!
More Victa 4-strokes were sold in the 1960s than their 2-strokes.
That's what the market wanted.

Victa clawed back - brilliantly - with the larger engine (late 1960s), and
then with governing (c1972) and then electronic ignition (c1980s).

So, I do not think any definitive statement may be made for those years.

History shows the 4-stroke reigns supreme for the moment.
But new technologies will now take quick hold, I would think.

Cheers
----------------------
Jack