OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines VICTA Specials - Old Victa Motor and Mowers

Hi all,
i'm new to this forum i have a few questions in regards to a couple of victa 18 specials and a box
of bits and pieces i have attached a few photos of the engine from the box can anyone tell me what exactly the numbers mean later i will post more photos including the other 4 mowers and the numbers on the engines thanks in advance

Well the numbers and letters don't really mean a lot unfortunately on these models.What I can tell you is those particular one's started in the model 5 series 2 and through until the first model Sheerline. At the time Victa had a very huge demand for their mowers,so engines numbers were fairly random,as they were just trying to keep up with the demand.A number system seemed to have taken a back seat while this demand was happening.There is a theory that the dealers were allotted their own letter prefix and the numbers were just a serial number.However no documentation has been found to support this theory.
The other numbers would just be cast numbers possibly the numbers from the moulds as they kept updating them.
There are other number which can identify the model's and years but unfortunately not these engines.

Thanks for the Info, These are the other photos that i said i would post any info on these would be greatly appreciated. the 2 mowers that are complete work & the 2 that are in pieces will work once i put them back together at the moment the pieces are in my shed.i was thinking it is strange how some of the engines have numbers and letters and some just have numbers or a single number underneath. Do you think its worth my time cleaning them up and respraying them or should i just chuck them out in the next council pick up.
















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Do not throw those out

The first two a both Model 5 Specials series I and both original engines shouldn't have any letters before them.I can't member off hand what the number range was.
The third one is a Model 5 Specials series II some of those had engine number and the later run had letter with the numbers.
The base with no engine seems to be a Model 5 Special series II,but someone has put the series I axles housing on it.
No I wouldn't throw them out.There not worth big money but they are worth something to collectors.They are also good for collectors that are starting out,as they are still a lot around.Also there are collectors out there that just prefer them and nothing else.So they are worth something to the right person and not worth it to throw out in the next council clean up.In fact if you did through to the kurb side I guarantee you they'll be gone before the council truck even arrives.
These are the pictures that didn't turn out.
don't know what the last two were I just got a black screen.

First one has an unmarked engine to match a HG Palmer I think.

Those pull starts are good too, they have the hard to get round knob.

Not worth throwing out, you could get at least $35 for that big black choke, and as Blumbly said, if you put them on the side of the road they will go before the council truck arrives. I sell the bases (no wheels, axles or handle bars) for $10 each at swap meets and they sell super quick, people just love hanging them in there shed.

If you don't want them put them up for sale, just don't throw them out.

Cheers everyone!

Yes those starters were on either the model 4 automatic,model 4 standard and some early model 5's.The HG Palmer's (Of which you are thinking about) did run the same engine so it is very possible that numbers could match.
Also hellraiser15 just remember (for next time) when adding pictures you have a limit of 15 pictures.That's why the last ones didn't come out right.

Hi all, Thanks for all your info, i am going to keep them and attempt to restore them i have been looking online trying to find the right colour paint i keep coming across avocado green, i have been trying to find this colour with no luck can someone point me in the right direction please & i have also come across post that say the handles are mid brunswick green and the other parts are avocado green is that right, i have also been reading that it almost impossible to find avocado green, is there another colour that is the same with a different name? i checked out masters they have a hammer finish dark green would this work
https://www.masters.com.au/product/...-rust-metal-paint-hammered-dark-green-5l
iam just taking a stab in the dark going by some victa 18's that are still original in fairly good condition that have been posted online

You will get a good job just using spray can Brunswick green unless you are going to do a full resto so that nobody can pick on it because the colour is not exactly right and a small tin of Humbrol red from a hobby shop will do the emblem on the front

iam planing on doing it as close to original as possible.

good one hellraiseer to good to frow out people pay you good mony for old victas
fix them up and injoy

what changed my mind was the fact that its a part of the Australian history and its Australian made and i think its amazing how old they are and the have lasted this long these days nothing is built to last and whats made in Australia now

Hello hellraiser and Contributors

For me, the Model 5 'Special' personifies the classic Victa.
This is the machine that made Victa a household name across Australia.

When the Model 1 was introduced, Victa was just starting a National network,
and had their first Sales Manager. It's the Model 5, though, that changed
everything - in terms of sales success.

I wish we could get a clear answer on the paint thing.
Some say 'Avocado Green'; others 'Brunswick'.

I think Brunswick Green belongs to the earlier models.
The special had a lighter hammer finish - is that right?
I am so confused about Victa paint colours...

Any help appreciated for the record - and good advice to restorers.
Here is the first production Special (from the Powerhouse Museum)...

i have just contacted victa about the colour of the victa 18 special Model 5 and also contacted galmet and asked them did they ever produce the avocado green Hammered Metal Finish and waiting to hear back heres a bit on info which i found interesting http://www.industrysearch.com.au/history-of-galmet-paints-and-chemicals/n/14050

Some ebay seller has been selling the Avacado green hammertone paint for quite a while in QLD but they are unable to send it through the post, pick up only

G'day hellraiser15

Thanks for the link.
It does establish that Galmut was not around when the Model 5 was born.
I reproduce that page for the record on Victa paint colours.

Well I know there has been some confusion on this for some time.To be honest there hasn't been any records as to exactly what colour they are.Most say it was avocado green and others Brunswick.I guess people have just settled on avocado green as it is obtainable.Some have said the handles are different colours,I don't think that's 100% correct every Model 5 I've found the handles look the same to me.What I think the confusion comes from is at the time Victa got to this model the demand for there mowers was almost impossible for them to keep up.Now I've herd rumors that the demand was so great that Victa were taking the mowers of the production line (In pieces) and sending to dealers and getting them to paint them as well as stamping the engine numbers.Is this true I don't know as I wasn't around then.This could very well explain why the colour difference as well as the letters in front of the numbers.
As to what colour you do it in,if your going to use a pressure pack can you are limited to the colours you will find.
If your going to spray it with a gun then I have and will continue to.Take it to my paint shop and get them to colour match and or find the colour it is.
As for the person on eBay selling the one liter tin.Wow that's as dear a poison.I use the same paint shop and I can get it cheaper than that.

I have used brunswick green spray can and then a couple of coats of 2 pak clear in the spray gun, finish is excellent

is this mower as well as the prototype on display at the Powerhouse Museum do you know and. im glad it put that galmet made the paint to rest because everywhere you look on the net people say galmet made the paint for victa

read this was posted on this site and it's a load of crap . ***UPDATE: Please read the last post to this thread, some new info has been posted. (updated 21/12/12)***
Hi All.
While I was trying to track down some Galmet Avocado Green Hammered finish paint, which although not identical, is said to have been used by many for Victa 18 restorations, I was sent a tint formula to create it because Galmet Avocado Green Hammered Finish is a discontinued color. I debated whether or not to post the tint formula before I tried it myself but decided I would in case it may be of use to someone. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to find a single tin of the genuine factory tinted paint but this meant I never did have the chance to try the tint formula. I'll leave it to you to decide whether to try it, as I present this in good faith as it was presented to me by someone who works for the company that distributes Galmet paint.

The tint formula to create 1L of Galmet Avocado Green Hammer Finish uses 1L of Galmet Gunmetal color Hammered Metal finish paint as a base. Then add either a Dulux or Wattyl tint as shown below to create 1L of Avocado Green:
For Dulux tints, use 27 units of SS
For Wattyl tints, use 1Y+7 units of D

To create 4L of Avocado Green start with 4L of Galmet Gunmetal color Hammered metal finish paint as a base. Then add either a Dulux or Wattyl tint as shown below to create 4L of Avocado green:
For Dulux Tints, use 1Y+44 units of SS
For Wattyl Tints, use 4Y+28 units of D

As the paint isn't cheap, its up to you if you want to take the chance to try the tint formula. I believe 1L of Galmet Hammered Finish paint is somewhere around $37 and 4L around $99 if you shop around. This is for the stock color of Gunmetal before you pay to tint it. I think they do a 500ml tin but I don't have a tint formula for that.
The paint is said to be suitable for brush, roller or spraying (thinner required for spraying). Coverage listed at 12 square metres per lire. Etch primer req'd for aluminium or galvinised steel.

this might help some people identify what victa mower they might have
http://www.vintagemowers.net/mower_victa.php

Hi all
Does anyone know how to reseal the crank case on these motors

Just remember that with the formula above it is talking about tinting which is not actually paint getting the tints for one self can be quite expensive.
With resealing the crankcase providing that both surfaces are smooth and flat all I do is use something like form a gasket (Comes in a small bottle,with a brush) and then rejoin them.Usually they are still good I just use it just in case there could a small leak.

The best seal I have used on motorcycle cases, when all else has failed is 518 Loctite, absolutely brilliant

For sealing the crankcase joint, after removing any burrs [and maybe lapping the mating surfaces], the Victa workshop manuals have always just said to use gasket cement, now known as gasket sealant.

Permatex No. 3 non-hardening type has always worked for me.

Gadge, I have used buckets of No 3 with great success over the years and it is about half the price of the Loctite but in this situation, providing the mating surfaces are good the No3 should be fine. My use of the Loctite is on old motorcycle engines that have been pulled to bits and butchered so many times and a lot were from India where their idea of leveling the case deck where the barrel bolts on is to rub it back and forth a few times on the concrete,and their only tools are a hammer and a chisel, trust me on this. This needs Loctite for sure

Thanks for all your advise, it has been very helpful

Well Norm, that's certainly a very demanding application! Even the original Brit versions were known for being difficult to get oil-tight, as you'd be well aware.

On the Japanese bikes I've worked on, I got into the habit of using No. 3 on the crankcase gaskets, so that they'd split cleanly if I had to pull them down later.

Haven't had to have the engine apart on my current Guzzi, touch wood!

well I have painted my first mower I have got more one base I have I think its a predictor base but the engine that came with it indicates that it could be a model 4 I will post pics asap any info would be appreciated

I don't know why the pic is black