OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Victa Monaro Mower

Hello Guys, i have pulled out the old Victa Monaro lawn mower which probably hasn't been used for twenty plus years and hoping to get it going again. Had a bit of trouble shooting and looking at the ignition coil being the reason that it want start, does anyone have a link for a manual for this mower and a part number for the ignition coil? Thanks!

Wow, looks like it has had quite a life. Amazingly strong mowers

Its a 92908 briggs, so would have coil 298502. But, if you are going to buy one, you might as well spring for one with the magnetron, so you can bypass the points. Can't think of the number at the moment - but 394891 looks right and rings bells

It will probably be a 1979 model

Go to this website and put in 092908, then the - and a series of numbers on the cowl. If you don't put the 0 before 92908, it wont work
https://www.briggsandstratton.com/au/en_au/support/manuals.html#


This one sat for a good while as well, and had seriously filthy oil, but it goes first kick now. Amongst the best briggs ever made

https://www.gaspares.com.au/products/ECP5078?q=briggs%20coil&product_code=ECP5078

GA ECP5078 looks the go - makes sense they are the same as all the later models as they didn't change much.

Ahh so Magnatron is electronic ignition! Didn't realise.

Yep MF, magnetron is electric ignition. One thing I have always found funny is that Briggs (and Victa 2 stroke) had EI just a handful of years after it became standard on commodores (VC blue motor 1980). Briggs were 1982 and Victa (as we know) are around 81.

Plus they had Autochoke years before many australians had it in their cars (granted the V8's and a couple of the hotter 6's had them)

I despise new briggs, but these old ones are some of the best engines made (next to 2 stroke)

My 1978 CL Valiant 4.0 six had it too. I believe it was introduced in 1973 with the VJ.

Chrysler were already using feed back computer sensor carburettors (ELB -Electronic Lean Burn) by November 1978 with the CM model. The previous CL with the 318 V8 even earlier. 1977 IIRC.
Holden didn't introduce a feedback carb till the VK in 1984 and Ford at the same time with the XF.

Hi Bernie,
see if you can find a later Briggs on hard rubbish around Perth, millions of them get dumped each year and just take the coil off it and put it on your vertical pull

You all realise that the Monaro was not in Victa's line of models? They were a generic store brand not sold at outdoor equipment specialists.
Yet collectors fall all over themselves for them for some reason even though it doesn't even have ball bearing wheels, so a pretty middle of the road mower.
You'd think it was a VC 160 or Vortex.

Its all in the name MF - Monaro. Same thing with Mustang, Corvette, etc.

Cortina not being as sought after I can understand, but Charger or Commodore does perplex me.

I don't even care much for the 2 stroke dress cowl design on them either.

I like the Cortina for it's 125cc engine and no nonsense engine cover. I also like the name myself.
Victa Bluebird I would avoid for the name alone.

Hey guys back onto the mower this evening and the forum, great to see and much appreciated all the responses very helpful. Now of course the mower is not starting, troubleshooting down to no spark (new plug installed) which is why i suspect the ignition coil but before i replace it i want to check the wiring. There is one loose wire i am not sure about which is circled in red on my photo, could someone please confirm where this should be connected to?
Also i am guessing the top of the mower need to be taken off to get the remaining wiring for the replacement of the coil? The nut is seized on at the moment but will keep working on it. Just to check it is left or right handed thread?
Thanks!

Hi Bernie,
Don't worry about the wire it is only the kill switch and you can sort that out later so don't need to remove the fanwheel. Also clean the fanwheel and the faces on the coil with a bit of emery or sandpaper. Also remove the plug cap from the coil because that could also be causing the no spark. Another thing make sure the kill switch wire is not touching the body anywhere

Hello Norm, thanks for the advice. The wire (one i circled in red) kill switch i circled in red i have just rolled it up and cleaned both faces of the fan wheel and the coil with emery paper along with the contact on the spark plug (no plug cap) which is new and still no spark. Any further short of a suspect ignition coil?

Hi Bernie

Couple of silly questions, is the throttle mechanism moving freely and isn't in the off position ? Never trust a new spark plug, have you got another machine there that is a runner ? if so, take the plug out of that and see if it has spark on the Monaro. You could take the coil to your local mower shop and get them to check it, very quick process.

Cheers
wce

Hi Bernie, where in Melb are you, I have a box full of those coils. Problem is we are locked down and can't move around much

Hi wce did lubricate the cable to get it running freely had it in the start position but will double check tomorrow. Would like to check the ignition coil but don't have my multimeter with me. Unfortunately in Melbourne at the moment so nothing open to have it looked at 😳

Hi NormK thanks for the offer, i am currently on the Mornington Peninsula but should be moving up to Melbourne next week Essendon for work.

Hi Bernie,
too easy, I will pm you the address

Thanks Norm PM sent!