OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers My new Victa's 18

Hi Guys I'm new here and would like to try and identify the stuff I have just started getting together, my aim was to fully restore a Victa 18 but it is probably going to be more than one with the stuff aquired, (I went into more detail in the intro section) so I hope I have got the right area to post this?
I would first like your opinions one which of the three mowers would be the best one to do first, and have they got the right engine for the mowers.

These two both run now, the one with the dodgy wheels was used as a regular mower til recently and has the engine number AC50234, the one with the wheels with no tires has the bits on the front for a flap and has the engine number 227756 over 1.



Here's the blue meanie, it's engine number is AC40054 over 4.It has a rebiult motor.



A picture of some other stuff I got off the bloke with the blue mower, the engine is rebuilt and has the engine number 94828 over 1, it also has a different flywheel to the one with no tires as I have just been getting that one going, I will add a couple of photos and hope someone can help me with the difference and when/why they changed ect. the spare motor and sprae timing plate and coil are the same, it also has an inspection plate (I asume for points adjustment) I dont know what sort of flywheel the Bluey or dodgy wheel ones have on them yet.





Oh yeah the spare motor has an earlier mufler I think it's earlier anyway, also has the black cover with holes in it over the flyhweel that the other one did not have, sorry for the long winded post but I'm keen for info if you blokes can help me? well cheers for now.

OK Jonesy what you have there in the top picture left to right.
Model 5 Special Series 2.(Has edger slot cover.Well done)Wrong air cleaner on it.Which is the same as your blue one.That one has the right air cleaner.
Right one is Model 5 Special Series 1 with the correct wheels.All model 5's had those wheels on them.Models 5's range from 1957-1960.The engine with the number 94828 is a Model 2 Rotomo.The ignition plate and flywheel are from that same model.It should have the same muffler as your spare engine.As far as the spare engine goes,have a look at the engine number.If it is 10,000 and under it could be a Model 1 Rotomo engine.10,000 and over it would be another model 2 engine.I'd say it is a Model 2 only due to the fact there are more around than Model 1's.Model 1 Rotomo 1955-56 and model 2 Rotomo is 1956-57. I hope this helps.

Hey blumby, thanks for that,what one would you suggest is the more disirable to do up? I have already stripped the model 5 series 1 and have started blasting bits and cleaning up, I bought one of those on bench sand blasting cabinets, and am running Garnet through it and seems to be bringing things up real well.







and yeah the spare engine number is 94828 so I asume it be a series 2 Rotomo so 56-57

Blumby, what erea is the big black air cleaner off? and is the air cleaner on the blue one suposed to be on the short inlet tube or long one up the handle further?
cheers Jonesy.

The black air cleaner actually started on the Model 5 special series 3.On the blue the hose is suppose to be high on the handles not as far as the throttle control.Like in this picture.

These next few photos is a Model 5 Special series 3.


As you can see no edger slot.
This one is my coffee table there are a few things that are not correct on it,but it was restored as it was found.

As far as which one to restore,why not do both? As far as which one is more desirable,well there both fairly common mowers and still not in short supply.The series 2 is not as common as the series 1,but in saying that there is still a lot still out there.The guys (like myself) that restore these ones don't do it for the dollars we do them for the love of it. Even a restored Model 5 doesn't fetch big dollars I guess due to there being so many still around.There are a lot more rarer mowers out there that bring in big dollars.So I say do both I am anyway.

yeah I'm not in it for money either, I have wanted to do this for a while now but always had a Poo shed with no door (to cold in Tassy for that) but now I have a decent shed I can spend more time out there,(actually all my time) thanks for the info also, I have scoured the net trying to find a place that sells the Repo wheels and "Special" badges but have come up empty, do any of you know of any places or links to them? I have not seen your coffee table, it looks brilliant, what are the silver disc type things on the glass? are they just to make you wary of the glass? and yes there is a few around but that stretch of water between us and the mainland can sometimes be a pain in the ass but I spose it also keeeps pains in the ass out also. did the 57-60 models have the black disc over the flywheels and what was it for? yeah will do at least two up I recon at this stage and prb leave the green series 2 as is but with a full pull down and clean.

Jonesy,

Just click HERE for the wheels. The badges are hard to come by and usually cost a min of $100 +.

Hi Jonesy, and a warm welcome to the forum. It great to have you aboard. Congratulations on some great scores there mate. They will come up a treat.
I also did one as a coffee table...check out the thread HERE and here's a pic...mine is a 'blue meanie' also!


Once again, to OutdoorKing.

Thanks for the link to the wheels Bruce I have been googling every thing
Trying to find them as I Was told of a place in Launceston
That sold them but I have spoken to them and they reckoned they stopped
Making them, so I just ordered 4. And Deejay thanks also for the welcome
And yes it was your coffee table I had seen before I was aware that Blumbly
Had also done one, they are something to be proud of both of you that's top Aussy workmanship.

Hi Jonesy, and thanks for your kind comments!
We are all looking forward to your pics as you go along, restoring these icons of Aussie ingenuity.
They will look fabulous mate....

well guys I've been hunting bits down and trying to find more people with these mowers or bits and come across some more stuff, but the one thing I really like is the old starter handle for the steel cable starter, whitch he threw in once I said I would take the bits for $50, he also through in the long air cleaner tube (that I was after) and a good early crank. he told me he had an early steel cable starter some ware too and will give me a call when he finds it, he also has another special mostly complete and thinks he may sell it but not sure yet, what do you think? I think $50 was a decent deal.


theres a new Std piston and rings there as well

got a couple of closer shots of the handle, can anyone tell me what goes over the two halves to hold it together? as it had insulation tape on it when I got it.


And my new wheels turned up today too, so a pretty good day in all.

Hi Jonesy. Looks like you have alot of spare parts for future restorations. Unfortunately I do not lnow the answer to your question. But there will be someone on this forum that knows. I look forward to the rest of your restoration.

Well done so far.

this might help ? it looks like it has a rubber sleeve holding the two parts together , but i'm not going to pull mine apart unless i need too ..

just hangin' in the shed waiting for the time !!! hope it helps , Dave they were wire ??? wow , no wonder it has a big groove dug into it . learning all the time i guess

And Hi to you James P, I'm blasting and priming at the moment, just washing a bit of dust down and thought I would have a quick look on here while I do it, and thanks vccomm, I thought it may have been something along those lines, as I have tryed to find pictures of them but the couple I found was too far away to beable to tell, thanks for the decent pics. I think you should feel very privilaged to have one in as good a nick as you do, I bet the rubbers are scarce. Went and got some Avocardo green hammer tone mixed up today and a couple of spray cans of Mid Brunswick green and killrust delisious red, some etch primer and a couple of cans of black, took 4 shops to get it all but at least I have it now

Bruce, if you look on here again, is there just tires available for sale to suit the 18's? or anyone else for that matter as I have some other wheels but no tires on 3 and the other tire is a bit sad.

Well I have dropped off 3 bases and handles to get blasted, as they dont fit in my bench cabinet too well and pick them up Thurs morning, he's doing the handels Thurs morning for me so I can pick them up on the way home from night shift and can get them under primer straight away, Been busy soaking parts and cleaning up bits, going to take some parts to work as one of the guys that works under me does soda blasting as a side line so will see how they turn out,(he might be getting a lot more)if they are good
I picked up another Model 5 for $20 tonight has got some usefull parts on it, I will use the base as the base on the blue one was welded and had a bit more of a crack where one side of the handle bolts on, it's got a good air cleaner (just need to find the sponge for inside, it's even got the plug spannerclips in good condition, good starter & two reasonable wheels, I have stripped it down now and has got a good full exhaust (the plate is in the bin) the engine has had some water in it and is locked up but have that soaking for a few days, the magneto and points/coil all look good and petrol tank also good has a good rubber under the tank strap the carby is also soaking and may be a right off as its had water in it for a while I would say but you never know.



Oh yeah the handle bar clamp is also good with no holes drilled in it so that will give me 3 good ones, he said it has been sitting out the back of his shed half covered up with a bit of roofing iron, dont know which half because shes pretty rough

Just had a look at the engine #

does this make any sense to someone

Yep that engine number sounds about right for that model.They really didn't make sense back then. Victa were selling so many that the numbering system wasn't that important.Also just be careful when pulling the model 5's apart,when pulling the muffler plate off.If you find a fibre gasket under there that is made of asbestos.

Sorry no tyres just complete wheels and not many left now.

OK Bruce, you got me, ordered another set of wheels. Blumbly I was aware of the two asbestos gaskets but if you keep every thing damp so no dust it's no worries, I was a builder for 20 odd years and have had to deal with a lot of the stuff, not a good product by any meens, I now work in a mine and we have a bit of the stuff there as well (natural in ground).

Hi Jonesy, I think you were very wise getting a new set of wheels, as from research that I have done, they are not being made any more.
New reproduction hub-caps are sometimes available on eBay....I bought a set for my Victa 18 coffee table, and they fitted perfectly.

yeah Deejay I bought 2 sets of the hub caps hopeing they would be OK, hope they have turned up by the time I get back home from work.

Going for a drive to Launceston on Sat to have a look at a mower lot a bloke replied to my add with this lot, he said he wanted $120 the lot, seems fair to me as there are quite a few bits I can use and a couple of other good old mowers as well.

I just got off the phone to him and another from down there rang and said he also had some mowers and bits and peices, he has a starter with the nut on top, he then proceeded to tell me he had badges etc so I'm off to see him also. looking to be a good day Sat.

Also my Badge turned up today and is better condition than what I thought it was going to be.

So can anyone tell me is the area around the green suposed to be painted?
from what I can see it looks like it should probably ment to be silver??

Wow that does look like its in great condition. Yes the colours are right.

Blumbly its a bit hard to tell from the photo but most of the silver around the green bit has gone except the bit that is hidden by the clamp, so what you are saying is all the back ground part is suposed to be silver? is this correct?

It sure is.

thanks Blumbly, any info whats the best silver to match the original? looks a lot like a chrome paint, but in the 50's I would not have thought they would of had chrome paint back then.

Hi Jonesy, is that an original badge, or is that a reproduction?
In any event, it looks brilliant....by the way...they could actually chrome over plastic back then, a lot of badge-work for electronic applications were.

OK thanks Deejay, it is an original, it has only tiny flaws in the clear plastic that covers the front of the badge that won't polish out, I did polish the front with some 3 step Novus plastic polish that I gought for my 4 wheeler, the white paint on the VICTA is perfect and I just touched up a couple of spots on the green bit as there was a couple of tiny patches you could just see through, so the silver is next, tried a small bit with some silver wheel paint I had but did not like the match so just wiped it off again, will buy some chrome paint and see how that looks, I payed a good dollar for it off Ebay with the handle bar clamp that was supposed to have been painted the corect green, but it wasent but I only have to sand down and paint again wih the mid brunswick green, I payed $130 for the two but have seen a lot worse condition badges sell for more so I was happy with it, seeing how the badge is a fair focal point of the mowers I payed the money.

can anyone identify some of the mowers in the above pictures that I'm going to look at tomorrow??

Yes Darryl that is an original badge see in the centre part at the bottom there is a circle there.Inside the circle there is an A in that circle.The theory is the A is the original for the Model 5's.There was some badged which had a B in that circle.They were believed to be the replacement badges.Still old,as when you took your model 5 in for a service (At a Victa dealer)and the badge was broken,Victa would replace your broken badge for a new one,Free of charge.Now we have to pay a small fortune for them.I wish they were free now.

OK Jonesy you asked so here we go.From left to right.
1971-72 Professional 160 Model 71VK
1970-71 Utility 125cc Model 70VG
1957-60 Model 5 Special series 3.I'd say it's more towards the 1960 mark.
1963-64 Utility Model 509
1971-72 Utility 125cc Model 71VG
Then there is a Model 12 Utility base (with badge.Lucky bugger I need that badge).
Then a model 5 special base series 1.
Then a hole heap of spares one engine is a model 5 engine.The other one I can't quite tell but with the amount of utility's I'd say that's a spare utility engine.
I'm hoping I find one of the series 3 model 5 bases as I need another one.I will just have to wait my turn.

Thanks heaps Blumbly, yes the series 3 mower was the one I am chaseing as I've got a series 1, 3 series 2, yeah that badge caught my eye as at first I thought that base was the same as 1963-64 Utility Model 509, I seen the badge goes the same way as the Romoto badge, cant wait to see what it is like. there was a series 3 on ebay but the base had a chunk out of the side of it, I come across a supposedly new old stock Special & sheerline badges.

but he still ownes them as he wanted $720 FOR THEM I nearly fell over, he also has some second hand ones but after that price I recon he will be too dear for them also.

I just zoomed in on the spacial badge and (now armed with new info) it does have a "A" in the cenrre bottom, So could be, but still way too rich.

Yes that is way to expensive even if they are n.o.s. Would be worth $200 at best,the problem is they could even be reproductions they not that hard to make if you have the right equipment. So yes stay away from them. Could buy many mowers for that price.

Blumbly, whats the difference between the Model 12 Utility base and the 1963-64 Utility Model 509 base? also what year is a Model 12? Is it the V35 (Victa code) 65-67? Got heaps of other questions on some of the others I got today also but will do a bit by bit so you dont get sick of me. I ended up bringing home 15 mowers, 7 of them are the ones you have already identified for me though, and 3 others I know are two more model 5 series 1 and the other is a series 2, so that just leaves 5.

cheers

some pics of some bits I have finally started.





I also had a crack at painting with hammer tone for the first time on a base that had been welded up and just thought I would make it different and hang on the wall in the shed, might do the clock idea later, will do the 18 in silver when the paint dries a bit more.


Been mostly soaking and cleaning bits up but should start to take shape, will need to get some seals and bearings and gasket sets very soon.

Bugger you've got me worried now I can't find my model 12 base.I'll have another tomorrow.The different's really is only the bar that runs across the deck on the 509 is wider (or taller) than the model 12.I guess it's like the thickness of the model 8 for the model 12 where as the 509 is almost twice the size.Also the axle mounts were different,model 12 sort of had.Like this picture.

I know this is a model 8 but the 12 had the same axles.Where as the 509 had this type.


I can't remember but I think that's the only difference between them.The 509 has a guard at the back of the base but that's just a bolt on thing.Not really to do with the base.
The Model 12 was made in 1962-63.The Victacode V35 is actually for the 1965-67 Utility Model 530. Also don't worry about the questions it's the only way we can learn about what we love to do.So keep them coming.

OK, so just look what I found.


Havent seen it in person yet but told him I will take it and will be going to pick it up as soon as I get back from work.
opinions please?

Congrats Jonesy, looks like a ripper. How are your other restorations coming on?

Its a model 4 standard. Looks like someone has restored it at some point. Although that did paint the boomerang red around the victa part.

Hmmm,maybee a better score than he thinks...Seeminlgy a 4 special/STD,but whats the engine no? Be good to see the Prefix. Maybee another Predicta revert? That would make it a little bit more special. Nice score Jonesy...

Where do you get your info on model numbers, Blue? Are they published anywhere?

been holding out on the engine number, it's 112,832

Nice work Jonesy...Ahh an early Fella.So that settles it then,it was once a Predicta inside the first 3,000 released. Just missed out on the oil nips. Obviously its missing its important bits,but still a good find. I personally think if you dont have a Predicta(which not many do) A revert is the next best thing as it was once and still is REAL, and not a model 4 Special/std produced after the Predictas had been pulled. Id re restore her to its original condition and keep your eye out for the hard to get bits down the track....you never know...Very good find:)
As for engine nos...We have all the engine nos from Mid Fan 1 right up until late model 5 Also the sheerline 6/9 with the latter 5s and sheerlines being a little sporadic,but fairly accurate. the later nos 60/70/80 sereies are held by a few other members who are very knowledgable in this area...Ty Blumbly Deejay and a few others,if you require a number,please ask
Im unsure if a common list has been compiled,as some members were discussing this,I think we need to in the future get together and see if we cant work out an accurate serial run for ALL members

For sure, a compiled list of numbers would be an amazing help to new collectors such as myself. It would be a real shame for all that knowledge to be lost with the old timers.

I don't suppose you know what the numbers for the model 2 Rotomo start and finish at? I've got a resto on the go now with a serial number in the 50 thousands, but am not sure where it fits in the production run.

Naaa They wont be lost as im only 40 years young,lols. But agreed we need a list,might be a job for me to get into:) Ok so a Roto 2 your making it too easy for me.....ok the model 2 run went from aprox between 8,500-9,000 up until 100,000.
So yours falls into the mid run category. early line code should be 2 or 6 with some exceptions. definately has tin wheels (circlip axles)which ran up until approximately the mid 75,000 then the remainder where the plastic wheels. red embossed smiley face choke,circlip carby,central bun muffler,metal T/C plastic for some later. ESS pulley(LRG stamped)Model 2 badge with straight 18 not curved as for the model 1,and offset front axle mounts(not straight as for model 1) Thats about it. one additional( some early model 2 Rotos ran model 1 parts,not so much chassis but head,barrel and brass nut carby,have seen some examples right up into the 40,000s. these parts are also a lot harder to find.
Got any more? lols.

Damn, thanks mate! That info is a great help. When you say red embossed choke, is this the one you mean?


Also, sorry to hijack your thread, Jonesy

hey uniemonk get your eyes off that choke LOL

Ha! You spotted it too?! Do a deal with ya, you let me win this one, and i'll let you know if I see any Predicta parts come up

Your Welcome. Yup,Sure is...dont go to hard on it but,they are getting 2 dear now 30-40 tops,cheaper would be better but you know Ebay:(....its got minimum wear and good shape,will restore back to near new nicely.

The other resto's are progressing slowly as its to cold to paint at the moment, but have been busy cleaning and organising bits, have also been on the road picking up mowers and generally scrounging around looking for mowers and bits, I did the post an add on our notice board at work and have been given two 18's that he is even going to drop off to me on Sun so they could be anything yet, I have also picked up two other automatics that I don't have the engine numbers with me right now but are around the 127k mark from memory, and have a Victa 18 outboard to pickup soon to, I am starting to lose count already

Hey Blue what year or number did the oil nips finish? I will also be keen to see what air cleaner/choke it has on it as I can't see in the pick and also the fuel tap, the old bloke with it said it has a leather pull cord and wooden handle?

Seems tassie is the place to go...2 18s and 2 autos plus an OB! Not a bad haul...Oil nips im certain were up until around the 2,000 mark so aprox 112,000 serial run. The air filter assy Will be the smiley face as per the diagram in this thread,but the embossing will be black not red. Cigar fuel tap is accurate as is twin hole carby cap. check the fuel tank cap for the green(same colour as the groove cover) not black,but they have been painted so check the inside. All Predictas were pull start. pully is incorrect you need the early starter type with the retaining nut,steel cord and 2 piece alloy pull knob and green rubber cover(also same green colour as the cap and groove cover)and also the dog nut for the engine. The four side skirt mount bolts should have dampening springs and cups under the heads if they havnt been lost. All this will then make it accurate other than the flaps and skirts. As for the other autos unfortunately at this serial no they will be nothing more than Model 4 Specials with possibly the auto badge if still fitted. This is the only xtra they got after the Predicta finished that Im aware of.
Still nice mowers though...As for the model 5s wait and see,but I doubt they will hold anything special unless they are by chance a Dep store model. give me the serials and ill date them for you if you like:) hope this helps you

oh I forgot 1 more thing...check the front height adjust axle housing,there should be NO slit on the side(slit added later with the large nut to hold it in place,because the height adjust would move from vibration)

Yeah once I get the others I will let you know, I have got two wire rope starters and alloy knobs but no rubbers for the alloy round handles have got 3 dog nuts in good nick too, looks like I will be on the lookout for a side flap bolt, did anyone see the lot that came up on eBay the other day with the auto with R/H side flap and some other stuff for $450 buy it now, it got snapped up pretty quick?

No slit, got it, have not heard that difference before so all automatics are male?

Male? Ahm... No,They were ammended quite early most Autos will have the slit. But this is one thing I cant tell you exactly when they did ammend it,but very early on maybee like the oil nips,within the first few thousand...Im not sure really if anyone knows. Since you dont have oil nips,id like to bet that your housing has the slit even though its still reasonably early.

Nips and a slit?! Reminds me why I like mowers so much

Bows* Nice work old boy! I never intended it..HONEST..Evil Grin* lmao

well off to pick it up in the morning will let you know what the verdict is on HER fuel cap and tap and I'll be real keen to check out the slit. but I do know it's a true predictor, hope he has a couple of flaps for it

OK I'm back and I'm stoked, chech out the photos (heaps of em)first the over all.



Now the engine number.


badge in good condition, only a bit of overspray.


only 3 side extention bolts but they are complete with cups and springs.


And it does have oil nips, question how do the plugs come out are they just pushed in or threaded?


No slit.


Air cleaner/choke, has red writing.


Fuel cap is green.
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2013/06/full-6801-11299-cap_top.jpg[/img]
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2013/06/full-6801-11300-inside_cap.jpg[/img]
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2013/06/full-6801-11301-inside_cap_2.jpg[/img]
Cigar tap.
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2013/06/full-6801-11302-cigar_fuel_tap.jpg[/img]
Two cable carby.
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2013/06/full-6801-11303-2_cable_carby.jpg[/img]
Groove cover nuts and bolts.
[img]https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2013/06/full-6801-11304-groove_cover_nuts.jpg[/img]
the wheels are in very reasonable condition and will see how they clean up as I would like to keep as much of the original bits on it as I can, one hub cap is missing and one has had the center V rubbed off but thats no biggy, well I am very happy with the condition with the mower and it runs very well also, maybe just a brush up of the pionts and check the timing it should be sweet. that will do for now, I think the $150 was cheap.

Here are the pictures that didn't work.You posted to many.






Wow jonsey I'm not sure you really know what you have there.With that engine number and the extra bits I can tell you that when that left Victa it was a genuine Model 4 Automatic.Will all the flaps and guards.With the bolts around the edges they are screwed in.If you decide to remove them make sure you soak the hell out of them with something like oil for a long time.Remove the extra paint etc.They may still even break I can see one has already.The problem is they are steel that has rusted in alloy.Very difficult to get out without breaking.You still have on there the original small height adjuster with the caps on.Mine doesn't even have that. and welcome to the non-complete automatic club.Well done that was a great score.

yep I know what I got, the guard bolts I have just taken out OK, very carefully and with some Inox to help, without trying I'm after the info about the oil nip plugs for lack of a technical term so will leave them until someone comes forward with how they fit in as the front one alreadt has a bit chipped off it, something else has me stumped as well, it's what type of tool do you use to take the grub screw that goes into the shaft of the wheel adjuster, it's the one you can see from the outside of the axel housing as I have got quite a few that need stripping down and freeing up, after looking at the choke the other picture that was put into the post does not have the sad smiley face on it, I thought the predictor was suppose to have the one like mine does only have black writing on it, but blue mentioned the other one was correct also, did they come out with both types? I was also wondering if everything else is so correct with this mower why would it have red writing and be wrong, what other models had the sad smiley face choke I wonder, also when I was taking out the guard bolts I did notice one that did not have a domed/rounded head so it might be a ring in also. will take a photo of the grub screw I am talking about if ya's cant work out from my discription.

any help please?

Oh yeah thanks for fixing the pics to Blumbly.

You were lucky getting the side bolts out.I'd say they have been taken out before.Not sure how the oil nips come out,as I said my automatic doesn't have them.With you height adjuster problem,once they are off the base the shaft that pokes out for the rod (front to back)(I think this is what you are asking)just pulls out.They will be tight as they have been in there a long time.I just carefully price them out with a screw driver.Some can take some time,but they will come out.You also will see on the opposite side the end of there shaft,just a small round piece.You can use a small punch (Not to hard) and knock them out that way.Those cokes ran right from the model 1 through to the model 5 so it does have the correct choke on it.Hope this helps,have fun with it all.

yep thats it thanks, now I can see what the go is, I just didn't whant to break nothing, thought the end of the shaft was a grub screw type set up. I just noticed Blue has nips on his predicta so he might know?

cheers.

Ahhh was wondering about that???

The automatic didn't have a throttle control. It was controlled by the front and rear flap. Of which there was a cable connected to the front and rear flap. So you had a cable coming from both. They both connected to the carby. So both cables went into that brass fitting. That's why there's two holes there. It was surpose to rev the engine as the flaps went over higher grass and less for lower grass. The theory was good but apperantly this failed and that's why the project was scrapped. Most automatics were then converted back to the throttle type like your has.Hems making them rare and very collectible with all the gear still on them. As not all were converted. There was only 10,000 full automatics produced. How many are left who knows.

Worked out well jonsey, as I said shes a factory predicta....all correct even the skirt bolts have their cups. All the bits you couldnt see when you bought it turned out accurate. Smiley face is fine, red or black is ok....oil nips are press fit, ,gently prise them out do the damaged one first and be gentle. Yeah 150 is a good price, Although its a predicta its still missing its goodies, but a very good early example. Id put its current value around 250-350 as is. very pleased we have another in the forums...love it! Also we now know the nips went longer, but id say yours is definately one of the last....and no slit! 1 more thing I forgot to mention...with the nips and non slit early run predictas..had the height adjust housings in hammer tone colour as well.All the following models were plain alloy..now you know everthing their is...enjoy!

Thanks Blumbly & Blue, I have been scouring the site and writing down all the info I come across and have made an Excel spred sheet with all the differences between models & series, am just starting to add engine numbers to it as well because I would love to get a Rotomo or two as well. I'm glad I found you guys as your help is invaluable thanks.

All good, afterall its nice to help out another Jones....lols. I did say that was everything...but well it never ends...I got another less known fact...the starter....check all 4/5 starters they have the rivet pin that holds the recoil spring protruding through the housing on the side. The early predicta does not. I guess being the first model things went wrong so they ammended them...height adjust lock, oil nips starter....and the whole predicta set up...lols no wonder it was a flop. If I think off anything else ill let ya know...ha ha And yeah Rotomos, can never have too many!

Right! So is this correct???? below are the only 2 wire rope starters with wire rope, so the one on the right is the correct one for the Predicta, the other green one would be off other model 4 and early model 5??

This one is a wire rope one with a normal chord on it has a screw in the roll pin but the same flat top so presume the same as the green one above?

Now this one from what I gathered from what you said is maybe not an 18 starter? or could it be off a series 3 or what year?, you have really thrown a spanner in the works here Blue As here I was thinking I was getting close to haveing enough starter for my mowers.

Blue another point you made in another topic someware you said the predicta's had a straight bar spanner? does anyone have a photo of the beast? I got a spanner out of Dads shed but with no bar, still better than the one I had, I can remember having at least a couple of them over the years but probably just got turfed and now I want them back

Yeah Unkiemonk i've looked at those picks too and also wondered which is the right tank sticker as they are both different? I think probably the second photo but there is two different versions of them also one has Green writing and the other has black writing? buggered if I know is there a thread with you Predicta on it as I have not seen it?

Here she is. Front flap still is not connected, as is NOS and dont want to knock it about until the mower is cleaned up. Overall, she is missing more bits than she has (starter cup and handle,side skirts, tail flap, and correct choke) but with a number in the low 117 thousands, she seems to be pretty sound and worthy of preserving. I'm yet to strip her down and clean her up, and am still unsure if I should go ahead with a full resto or leave her as is. Most of the paint is gone from the deck, so I may end up restoring, but I do prefer original and unrestored mowers, when the condition warrants it.

Thought I would throw up a few pics of the front flap, as they are pretty rare, especially in NOS condition as this one is. It had been sitting in the same cardboard box on a shelf since 1958, with a note saying "very desirable"....I'll say! Even came with an extra cable and an alloy piece I'm yet to identify (see the last few images). I'm pretty sure it is the adapter and spring for the rear flap cable, but I'm sure you guys will be able to set me straight and ID it for me. Another interesting feature are the clips on the cables. Are they intended to be screwed to the holes next to the axle hounsing? Any thoughts?

Ok the starter with the lock nut and no protruding pin is for jonseys.the early runs. The starter with the nut and exposed pin is later predicta and some early model 5s. The blank/plain starter covers all the rest. The 2 predictas in the diagrams are later models 1 is correct. The straight handle on the predicta spanner has been said to be accurate, but ive yet to see a diagram proving this..mine is straight but innacurate as its ends arent flared. So until I see an image or advert I cant be certain, but for a few reliable sources. Incredible score on the flap! Other parts...who knows..the front complete is the rarest...the skirts I see usualy around the 300 mark each and rear flap fir 500.00 but this is high end price...but truthfully you could spend this an come way out in front.....the last predicta complete I saw sold for2, 000 but the engine was wrong and later version. Yours whi knows between 3 and 4, 000 id reakon...id really love to see another complete..and with yours I dont rhink you can lose..very good example, hipe you get the opp to finish her

Thanks Blue, I just hope I can do it justice! So do you have any idea what the alloy part in pics is for? Also, do you think with an engine number in the low 117 thousands, the correct starter for my mower is the later type with the exposed screw?

Sorry which alloy part? Stupid phone I missed a few posts, yours has the flap not jonesys,my appologies as I based my comments on his early model( but yours is still the same just later and maybee a TINY bit less in value,when its all complete,but id say negligable as they are all so rare...Ok Ive caught up Now I think lols. Please show me the part if you dont mind. Correct starter for yours is locknut with exposed pin. Sticker colour for early predicta (jonesies) concord/green/red. Now you need check what year they moved to milperra as I cant recall off hand as it is then full red. But im sure all predictas were concord,so green/red, others may know for sure. Also ill do some checking as your 117,000 may be the last predicta as this is where they crossed to the model 4 special/std where they ran approx 10,000 with left over bases, auto badges and starters,right up until the model 3 started at around 128,000. So I cannot be certain 100% yours was/a factory predicta....but I think it might just be inside the run....Check with Blumbly as I think his is a later version and you may be able to use his as a better example for accuracy.

"Which alloy part?" The one in the last two images I posted, sitting next to a couple of springs.

Cheers for clarifying the starter issue up for me. The search begins to find one now lol

Interesting stuff regarding the serial number. I was under the impression the Predicta's ran into the mid 118,000's, so I hope she sneaks in. If you're out there Blumby, can you shed some light ?!

Yes between 117 and 118,000 but i dont know anyone who knows for sure. But most are of this opinion...Im just a little wary when they get up to this number as ive seen many fakes and people who still dispute they went up to 127,000-128,000 which is definately INCORRECT.....There are other ways to clarify,but im sure yours is a Predicta.

Well, Well, Well lets just throw another spanner in the works, (by the way nice score with that front flap ya B%^*?/ard, ) the hardest part to find aquired first I would be smiling if it was me, anyway the spanner, look what I got today.






She tells me that 23 years ago it was rebuilt when they lived in Melbourne, it also had a different carby put on it??


So if the Predicta set up was such a flop, why would a front flap have ever been on a mower with this late an engine number???? SPANNER complete.

No spanner....The first clue is the engine rebuild. It was very common to just switch engines, exchange if you like. It has a std pull start and correct carby for this model 4 engine no. The line code of 4 is another clue as most 4 special stds had this code, predicta often carried code 2. My opinion is this is a factory predicta with the incorrect engine. To my knowledge Predicta went no where near this serial number......the fact it has again some of its correct parts tells me it was real originally. Usually when this model has its skirt bolts its often real as they were not parts carried over to the model 4 special/std like the auto badge was, it was just not necessary to add them. I think it impossible to dispute the predictas engine run to the17-18, 000 run as it has been highly researched, and well documented. But if for some reason weve all been misled id love to be proven wrong...I wouldnt mind learning something new....you may have somthing unique...that would be cool:)
.

Major spanner there mate. It seems unlikely that a front flap would have ever been retro fitted to a standard mower given that they supposedly never worked. Also appears that it was changed to a regular style throttle at a later date. Seems like Predictas may have run well into the 120 thousands after all? And what about that line code 4? Does the carby still have the dual cable barrel? And what about the choke? Its got the old Rotomo style rather than smiley/sad face. More questions than answers eh what!

I recon Blue is correct with the engine swap (bastards weres my engine) and the carby is single cable slide, the choke who knows? I have started pulling it down and it was definatly painted while all together and I noticed the handles being a darker shade of green than the model 5's that I have seen some original paint on, was wondering if the early Mod 4 got the same colour as the models 1,2 & 3? what colour is that please Blue?

Sorry unkiemonk I must have been editing,when you posted. Re read my post if you like:) I deleted this second option as it didnt seem plausible. My point was however,that the other alternative was they had a Working Predicta with a blown engine and decided to put all the gear on the model 4 special....A long shot as it would be much easier to just swap engines from the special to the predicta,but yes Agreed it would be a fairly unlikely option,but an option none the less. Im sure it was just a simple engine swap from the model 4 special,as this mower in my opinon is or was a definately a Predicta when new. I doubt id take the view of later sequence/numbered Predictas because of the extensive research done on them over the years...Im sure about 95% of info on the Predicta is accurate and proven many times over...The choke isnt a real issue as it is where the models intersected and the use of earlier parts on next models was common,as for the carby it would have been swapped along with the engine,cowl and starer pully...
As for paint Jonesy As far as im aware..NOBODY knows of the exact paint code for the Victa green...Most use killrust epoxy enamel in Mid or Dark Brunswick green as its fairly close and with so many using it,has made it almost the uniform colour choice. So yeas since the model 3 came after the model 4 and has the same shade id say its the same as models 1 2 and 3. But in my opinon the model 5 is a lighter shade again. But seriously,dont spend to much time with paint as they often changed suppliers,mixed their own,shops mixed as well and the shades were always different so as long as its close go with it. The same applies to Galmet Hammer in avocado...You CANNOT get an exact shade with any formula so be wary... I found a paint match to be better and more accurate to the original colour. Just my opinion from My own experiences.

Yep thanks for the paint tip, will test a bit next to some original before I paint the bases, bloody cold weather

Ahhhh, makes sense. Shame though, it would have been nice to have two Predictas on the go hey Jonesy!?

Made an interesting discovery today - news to me but probably not to you more knowledgable types - I was stripping down a model five series one, with a number in the mid 180 thousands, and was curious as to why it didn't have a rubber guard on the tank strap, like my series two does. lifted the tank off, and realised that it also didn't have rubber feet under the tank OR noggins to mount the rubber feet. I held the model one cowling side by side with the model two cowling, and realised that they differ in that design element. So, my point is, I'd always thought that the cowlings were the same all the way from the model 4 and continued through the various model 5's - wrong!

Looks like the rubber mounts, and I assume the rubber tank strap, were not introduced until the model 5 series 2, so all those Autos and version one Specials (like the Predicta pictured earlier in this thread) are either using a later cowling or are adding the rubber tank strap thinking that it was period correct.

Anyone know when the iron bolt on safety skirt was first introduced as an optional extra? Model 5 version 1 or earlier?

Your theory is spot on unk...the first model cowlings had no strap or feet, not sure of intro model but im sure it was later even than series 2 but more likely late in the series 2 run. Also used on hg palmers of the same era. Also the first cowl of this type was released on the 2a with no previsions for a starter or tank. The toe ring was intoduced on the model 2 rotomo and continued on to the 2a,3 and utilities with the steel bases well into the 60s . I think some of the HG nobles got the toeguard as an option along with the height adjust.which would be around the middle of the rotomo 2 run.

AAHHH been wondering that myself, I have just been trying to keep track of what came off what ect, well got to pick up the one I have been trying to get for a while even though rough,






And guess what??????????????



NO slit????

Model 4's seem to be flying out of the woodwork at the moment, for a while I had none, now I got 4 in a couple of weeks, keep em comming I say.