OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Victa Imperial 20" 4-Stroke - Service & Airfilter

Hi,
I just bought a Victa Imperial 20. (Still working out the age) Wondering any ideas on where in Melbourne (South-
Eastern suburbs preferably) I may be able to get a good service. Mower seems in good condition and cuts well but is leaking petrol between the air cleaner and carburetor (should there be a gasket between these?) Also air filter is missing. Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Hello Karl Stewart

A warm welcome to the ODK forums.

The age of this great Imperial is easy: 1968 - 1972.
This particular Imperial is quite rare; in that it is a larger
machine in very good preservation. This is highly collectible.

These are, originally, based on a British Ransomes design, but
copied by New Zealand's Morrison Company. The Imperial is the
AUS overlay to that history.

I am glad you asked about service. You do need to do homework
here, as many repairers act as agents to the actual repairers.

This machine has an expensive-to-make double helix reel.
I'm hoping a Melbourne member will be able to advise here,
but short of that, go to your nearest bowls club and ask them who
sharpens their reels. Do not be burnt on price by agencies.

There are gaskets required between carby and air cleaner.
I attach a parts list to help.

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

Thanks for your help Jack,i was a little concerned i may have bought the victa 20 with little research, but know am quite excited about getting the few things plus whatever else fixed up properly so i can really enjoy this machine.I did fire it up and hit one strip through the middle of my lawn( probably not wise) but it cut like butter, before i noticed the gas leak.So off to the bowls club Sunday to seek advice on sharpening etc.Thanks for the link to Parts list, however all the machines are either a HK25 F G J etc but on my badge i have only HK25(no extra letter?)Anyway looks like i need a little time to reseach this task especially as you say it may be collectablish,,grr im normally a bull at the gate!!Thanks again Karl.

hi karl
well done on your new mower, looks to be in great condition for its age.
when you say the air cleaner is missing, do you mean the whole housing or just the foam element, you can make your own filter for it if its the foam that's missing, clark rubber sell air filter foam on the roll, so by doing some tracing and looking at jacks pdf you should be able to make one. fine mech can be brought and cut to size if you need it.
a lot of fuel leaks on that model engine are from the fuel bowl, theirs a small spring brass plunger on the bottom of the fuel bowl which is sealed by a rubber seal on the inside of the bowl. being so old they weep fuel, maybe that's where its leaking, fuel leaks can be hard to trace. just something to check and make sure carb bolts are nipped up.
damo

Thanks for that Damo. Yes just the inside filter is missing so off to Clarke rubber, to easy!!l will check that screw again too as this was were l thought it was originally leaking from! Such good advice guys. Cheers

Just another one, Oil change! I have two sump bolts and two filler caps. Do l remove both bolts to drain oil and likewise to replace oil??any advice appreciated, what replacement oil etc? Thx Karl.

Hello Karl

Oil change: select just one drain plug to drain & one filler to fill
The oil Kirby recommended was a straight SAE30. Some members use multigrade.

Service Guides:
Also note service guides No. 57 & 58 supplied by bestseller:-
Guide 58 is on the carby.
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=58949

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