OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers New Guy, no idea please help identify models

Hi guys!
New to this forum and would like some expert opinion please,
I have been collecting bitts and pieces for a while now, I now have collected 3 Victa 18�s and a Victa Utility I think? I was looking at restoring one and wrecking the others for parts to aid in putting together 1 good looking unit, however since doing a bit of internet research and finally finding this gold mine of a site, I realised that there are more than just one Victa 18! I guess I was just as ignorant as so many out there that just don�t know that Victa made so many wonderful models of mower. So now I guess I�m where so many find themselves, totally addicted and on a mission to collect more. This brings me to the next question which so many of you I�m sure heard before: �can you tell me what I have?� please.
So I have 3 running 108�s, one even came with the �Victa Automatic� aluminium handle bar sign,2 have original choke filter, I would appreciate your advice on identifying model and year is possible.
Victa 1 serial number on engine 110 666 (its the DEVIL ) this is the mower seen in bits on my work bench (could not wait and had to start on something
Victa 2 serial number on engine 248 593 (this is the one that came with the Victa sign)
Victa 3 serial number on engine 229 489
Victa 2 and 3 appear to have provision for the front and rear flap? (am I correct?)
Victa 2 has oil caps on the axle cap thingies

Appreciate any help,

Regards
Mel

Hi Grebbo, and a warm welcome to the forum.It's great to have you aboard as we all like to learn new things and tinker here.
I'm sure Mal (bluegmhtmonaro) or Jonesy will chime in here and give you some advice; In the meantime can you please post some pics of the machine form the left (muffler) side so that we can see the detail of the base...the Model 4 has the holes for the side skirt attachment and I think at least one of yours has this...the 110,000 engine I think falls into the Model 4 auto category.

Once again Grebbo, to OutdoorKing.

there Grebbo I believe you have stumbled across the same question that we all did when we started. Hmmm interesting names have been mentioned there not real sure why they are the only ones to know,but lets see if I know as well.
OK your first engine number you have there of 110666 does fall into (According to my records as the model 4 Automatic (with the predicta setup).The one you said had the oil caps on the axle housings (Rare not every Automatic had those)so that set up should go with that engine.Which as I can see must be the base with the Rover wheels on,(Chromed wheels with little red hub caps)as that is a Model 4 Automatic base,and or when the model flopped became the model 4 standard.Your number being not far from the 110000 mark I'd say did have all the guards and flaps on when it was new.
With your 229489 and 248593 these two would have been from a series I model 5 special.Although the 248593 also could have been from an early series II.So far no one has produced any 100% documents to support this theory but this is merely what we have observed.
The base in the second picture is the series II base in the model 5 special.Which if I'm correct has you model 4 automatic engine on.
So if you took that engine 110666 and put on the base with the Rover wheels you would have a Model 4 Standard,but would be on your way to having a Model 4 Automatic,of which I do believe it would have been.It even has the right nuts on the edger slot grove plate cover.
Then the base you took the automatic motor off put on engine 248593,which could be correct.
Then put engine 229489 on the base in the last picture and you would have them all in the right order as to how they rolled off the Victa assembly line.
Well that's what I'd do to start with if they were mine.
So have fun and once again to the fun world of mower repairing and restoring.
Enjoy.

Deejay & Blumbly, Thank you for your warm welcome guys, and thank you for your prompt and informative replies, members like you make this whole experience that much more enjoyable, thanks again,
Now, I went back to the garage and took some more photos this time in better light and with some numbers on the movers to make them easier to distinguish,(should have done that to start with) I think I�m going to do what you Blumbly said and try to pair the engine/s and plate together so that they are better matched.
I have started to sand blast some of the parts from Victa # 1 so I will post some progress photos soon,

Thanks again guys!!

Well yes all seems to be as I had said it was.
I do have one question though.
On base number 3 around the Victa emblem are they dips in the base or does it have water on it?
As that just doesn't look right.
It looks like it may have corroded.Somebody has painted it as well as the lighting bolt part isn't suppose to be red.I guess not only that,but they're really not the right colour either.
Keep having fun,I know you are already.

Both the based and the front axle look like they have corroded badly at some stage, maybe someone spiled something on the mower like acid? so you are correct, they are dips and not water droplets, some as big as a 1/2 green pea but luckily not all the way through, I�m hoping once I sand blast that mower the base won�t be too bad and some filler will do the job,,

Well those bases believe it or not are the easiest ones of the Model 5's to find.In-fact I may even have a spare one here.

Hi Grebbo, and my congrats mate, it looks like you've scored (in number 2) a great start for a Model 4 Auto or Standard restoration....when you dismantle the axle housings, have a look for any wear on the housing extensions....this will give you a good indication of if it was an Auto with the Predicta flaps fitted at some stage.

Hey Guys!

I thought I will give you an update on my progress,
I decided to pair the motor from Victa # 1 with the rest of Victa # 2 as per your suggestions.
The base from Victa # 2 appears to have at least 4 coats of various paints, the hardest to remove was the original Hamerite, I decided to strip as much as I can before sandblasting, I found that to be quicker, less messy when blasting, so below a selection of sandblasted parts from Victa # 1 & 2 (the petrol tank and cowling have a coat of primer on them,.

Hopefully over the weekend I will sand blast the base weather and wife permitting
PS Deejay, the housing extensions did not appear to have any wear so I guess it was not a Predicta from factory??

Almost certain this is Factory auto...The wear will be found on the base not the axle extensions. The oil nips denote early release and match the serial number 10666 perfectly. Wait until you have fully stripped the base and can see the runners clearly. When All together this will be an accurate factory auto, less of course its predicta setup and will still be a rare and desirable model in your collection.

Hi Mal and Grebbo,
Mal thanks for clearing that up, when I say axle extensions, I should have said 'base extensions'...
Just one point, were all model 4's fitted with the straight fuel tap, or was that part of the 'Predicta' setup and only found on the Auto?
Here's a pic...

Ahhh no worries Deejay, needed to let out a bit of knowledge to add more on The HT before my head explodes lols.
Okies, for your question; The Straight or Cigar fuel tap was first seen on very late run Rotomo 2. They continued on thru the model 2a run alongside the Model 2 roto tap and into the model 4 Automatic. Now it gets tricky, As we know the Model 3 Rotomo intersected roughly around the time of the Autos demise so it too also ran the Cigar" tap on its very early models(along with the 2a pulley).

Somewhere around the 130,000 to 150,000 mark they were phased out and used alonside the later tap style, CC First then KL brandings.

So did all model 4,s run the Cigar" tap...Definitely a No, as model 4 mowers were still being sold into the 300,000 serial, as im sure youll remember was to use up all the leftover bases:) But its an almost definate YES that they were used on all Factory Predicta set Autos.

....ahhhhh I can feel my head shrinking lmao....hope that helps mate:)

Thanks Mal, that is an excellent explanation...and great for the archive.

Hi Guys,
Managed to do some sandblasting this afternoon, man that base had some paint on it!! Also go the head, cylinder and the zip starter done. So on this fuel tap subject, is the tap the I have (pictured below) the cigar type and is it going to be in keeping with the Automatic vintage?

Hi Grebbo,
No Mate, it is a round shaped tap with a knurled ferrule that slides to turn the fuel on and off...
Here's a pic...

Hence the reference as the 'cigar' tap.
You will need to try and track one down for your project as well as the green fuel cap for the tank.

And if you can mate take a close clear pic of the base extensions with the axle caps off so we can check for visible wear please. Great going so far:)

Hi Guys,

been away for a while but here are the pictures of the base extensions (I hope these are the base extensions :))
tell me what you think

As stated",She's All good mate:)...100% Factory Automatic. The wear marks are clearly visible on the base extensions.

Awesome! Thanks for that info Bluegmhtmonaro!
A bit of an update on my progress, I decided to work on the "Victa" badge, first I bead blasted, then polished and now on to the paint, still need to do the"Automatic" wrighting but I'm pretty pleased how it's turning out
I also blasted and then polished couple of the cup head nuts and found some to be solid brass? Is that normal? I think I blasted the chrome off and then when polished they look pretty cool

Hi Grebbo,
All looking very nice mate, great work on the badge...and Wow!... it is a factory Automatic...great score there!