OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions on Other Engines Austral Villiers Engines

Hi All,

In support of Jack and his quest for answers relating to Austral Villiers cylinder mowers, I would like to ask all members that have Austral Villiers cylinder mowers with either the 98cc of 79cc Villiers engines to provide details of the engine serial number and the date stamped on the flywheel as well as any other details (e.g. other stampings castings on the engine etc.) that may assist in providing a better understanding of the engines used on these machines and their date of use. If there are others that have details of other engine types used on the Everyman platform I would ask that you provide these details too.

Whilst this is a very big ask, I know that this will assist in understanding the heritage and lineage of the Austral Villiers Everyman and potentially other AV mowers. A story that is difficult to tell as there is little information that is easily available to the general collector/mower enthusiast.

Cheers,

Sir Chook

G'day Sir Chook
Many thanks for that - as it will help better understand the A-V
and their power units. I have no answers...

I have a question:
Will the 98cc engine have slanted fins?





OTHER ENGINES
At some point Condeco Pty Ltd seem to have sold the A-V to
another company. The new machines, I think, were green, and
survived into the 1970s...

Hurricane:-


Kirby (with kick start:-


Kirby with recoil start:-


Honda:-

Here is the details that I found on my Austral Villiers . Built by Condenco model 2/S 16 serial no 275 number on cylinder head 3812 86696, I couldnt find any number on the flywheel . I hope that this information is usefull

G'day Hermosil

A big thank you for this ...
and it adds to the provenance to your machine.

This is the first I have seen of this plate Model.
The serial number is low, for sure.
I guess the '16' means 16" ...?

If you have the time ...
- numbers will be under the flywheel cover.
- id should also be on the crankcase.

This one is in fantastic condition.

All the best.
------------------------
Jack

Thanks for the comments Cyberjack Ihave had a look inside the flywheel cover and could only just make out some numbers they are R67B D65 166. I hope that this helps. Also I found another number on the side which reads 131x3876 . I rekon that you are right about 16 meaning 16 inches, it is a narrow mower. I have had this mower for about 15 years paid about $90 for and have only cleand/dismantled the carburettor and drilled a hole in the side so that I can start it with an electric drill. I have started to paint it now and will put up some pictures of it when finished. Does any one know where I can get decals for it. Thankyou.

Hell Hermosil

Thanks for the extra details and information.
I think we are trying to make sense of these A-V Everyman's.

The c/case ID includes the magic 'X' - meaning this is the
AUS made specification. The engine would be a Ballarat engine,
when Villiers made engines in this country.

I can't fathom the flywheel info.

Decals: yes, it is very possible eBay's Silensmessor can help
on the decals. His store is a small part of his portfolio.
You will need to PM him with you requirements.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/vintagemowerdecals/

Hope this helps.
---------------------------
Jack

Hi All with Everyman Mowers

Just for your Info I have Just sent the photos of the decals on my Everyman mower with measurements to assist him in producing decals for me. He hasn't got back to me yet but its a bit soon for that yet. I note that the above photos have the decals in different places to mine (Photos of mine already on this sight)

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/77688/AV_Everyman.html

Regards and although its a bit late Happy New Year to all.

Hi exfarmer

Yes - all the best for the New Year from me.

I note your comment on decal placements
I guess the difference in manifolds and mufflers influenced that.
I also see the difference in the catcher designs.

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

Hi Jack and Sir-Chook.
Have just taken the motor off my A.V. Everyman to start the resto so thought that I would post the numbers on it they are as follows:-
Flywheel:- R317B A70 9 59 (it was behind the cover plate)it also dose not have any trace the timing arrow on the flywheel I had to work it out for myself.
Cylinder:- B over 9698 and ATCO VILLIERS (Both cast in when casting was made)
Crank Case Nos:- 308X on one half 45964 on the other (these were stamped in)
The engine sits straight up with cooling fins sloping.
Magnito backing plate has Made in England Villiers Magnito No with a area for a No but it is blank.

On the other hand I also have a Ransoms Minor MK7 that I am restoring but have not as yet posted any pic's It is fitted with a Villiers Midget motor but the motor slopes forward and the cooling fins are at 90deg to the cylinder with fins also on the top of it.
No's on it are as follows:-
Flywheel:- R93B A70E 8 57
Cylinder:- No markings
Magnito Backing Plate is same as above.
Both are I believe to be 98cc

Regards Hope someone can make sense of this.
Andy

Hi exfarmer and Sir Chook
Thanks for this valuable data.
I'm not sure what it means yet...

The A-Vs have not been sufficiently explained - how an
Australian company got access to exclusive Atco-Villiers engines.
I do believe it was a commercial interest (rather than anything direct).
Your engine hails from September, 1959 ... I guess.

Yes, the MK7 used a standard Midget Mk2.
The MK7 was introduced here in 1957.
I believe all AUS MK7s were 'assembled' here - at Clayton, VIC.
I also note that Atco began local production with their 14" Atco
and rotary mower in the same year, 1957.
Your Midget engine dates from August, 1957 ... I guess.

We'll just have to wait and see.
Sir Chook might be able to make sense of it all.

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

hello exfarmer,jack,sir chook-the information I have on engine 308x is that it was supplied to condeco, the type/model is listed as 79cc AV2.it appears that this engine might have been supplied only to condeco for the AV mower.regards john

Thanks Jack and voljon

Can we then presume that the 79cc motor had the sloping fins on the cylinder to difference them from the 98cc as the crank case stud Patton for the cylinder is the same as far as I can see and there are no markings to indicate the cubic capacity on the cylinder?????

Thanks for the info the more we fiddle the more we learn

Regards
Andy

Yes you never stop leaning things. I didnt know that they made a 79cc engine as well as a 98cc one. Interesting stuff!

It was news to me also and sent me to the shed to check my midget motors for differences.

G'day all

Yes voljon - that is the issue - only Condeco had access to the Atco-Villiers.
However, the AV reels look similar to Atcos, I believe no parts were
interchangeable (apart from the common engine).

I have not found any other AUS reel mower maker that used the smaller
Atco-Villiers engine (with slanting fins). Hermosil, don't forget the
G series engines too - at 70cc.

It seems Condeco had access to the Atco-Villiers when local production
of the Atco 14" reel and rotary began in 1957. It may be their 'special'
relationship was not with Villiers, but with Atco...

I feel this story is far from over.
Thanks to all for taking time to record the engine information.

-------------------
Jack

jack,as far as I can tell,the numbers on the flywheel R67B D65 166,indicate.R67B - the part number of the flywheel. D65 - part number of the armature plate, and 166 as noted before the date of manufacture.regards,john

Thanks voljon
At least we are starting to get some data.
I hope it leads to something meaningful.

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

Morning all

Pulled a couple of old engines out of the cupboard to have a look and one is a Atco Villiers, the numbers are
Casing ( stamped ) 636 2288 ( cast ) B2678
Block ( cast ) B2577
Flywheel R6 / Abm / 4 / 8

Not sure what any of them mean.

Cheers
wce

Hey everyone,

I picked up two austral villiers mowers, a 15" Everyman and a 16" im not sure what. I plan on cleaning up the 16" and using it as its complete and runs very well. The everyman runs well but is missing the catcher and chain tensioner. The 16" Catcher can however be fitted to the 15" very easily. Some numbers for those interested. I plan on fixing the everyman up oneday too as it has sentimental value.

Everyman
Mower serial # 3578
Villiers engine 328x - 41075.
There is a number on the cylinder too which looks like it says 7358 but hard to read without removing engine.
Havent removed flywheel cover yet.
Looks like the exhuast has been changed too, not sure if this is a bad thing or not!


The other mower
Model 2m16
Serial 576
Engine 131x 273 55
Cylinder 3812 86688 (might be B6688)
Havent removed flywheel cover yet either.

Any info would be awesome, i love old australian stuff, i was going to buy a scott bonnar 45 but i am hoping with a bit of TLC the 16" Austral villiers will do the job!


Some pictures attached
Thanks in advance
Scotty

Hello Scotty
The 2M16 is the first I have recorded here.
Most early AVs I have seen have been 2M14's.
The 16 is a real treat!

I have never seen an 18" or 20" AV, but we
know they were advertised.

the 131X tells us the engine is original to Condeco,
and AV supplied the tank, muffler and air cleaner.

The Everyman 15 is the most common I have recorded.

These were beautiful old mowers.
The smell of an open chaincase still brings back memories.

Cheers
Jack