OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Victa Viceroy Mower Questions

Bought this mower a few days ago for a couple of dollars. Would anyone have any info on this model? Engine was seized when I got it but managed to unseize it using some WD40. The blade disc holder nut is rusted on. Wondering what would be the best way to remove the blade holder nut without damaging the mower in any way? I think the engine may be off the "Cortina" model as well as the handle bars?
Any help/info most appreciated.

Hello mowermechanic

Well, this mower is significant in that it was Victa's first rear-catcher
lawnmower (along with the 4-stroke Ambassador.)

These are easy to date: the 1962-63 Lawnmowing season, that is from
September 1, 1962, to August 31, 1963. It was one of four new models
for Victa's 1963 line-up.

Yes, the engine is definitely wrong. A quick give-away is the
carby on your machine is on the wrong side.

I am currently writing a History Record on the Viceroy, as luck
should have it. That will be available shortly.

In the meantime, I have made available (for download) an excellent
Victa Mower Manual. It should answer most of your questions:-

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=70029

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

p.s. best way to remove nut (without damage): impact wrench.
[Your local garage could do this]

Thanks for your info regarding above mower. Got the whole thing apart today. Air powered Impact wrench certainly made easy work of the blade holder nut. Got the engine off and apart easy. Hope to do a full restoration on this mower. Also hope to find an original engine one day. Was wondering if I put this engine back on again is it possible to rotate the barrel 180 degrees so that the carby ends up on the correct side? Just a thought!
Cheers.

Hello MM

That's great news!
The Vicroy is under-recognized in Victa history.

I am hoping a Victa expert might help here with your question on
rotating the barrel. I don't know that answer.

Here is the History Record:-

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=70039

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

Check the intake spigot. If it doesn't have a carby locating pin at the inboard end [and this one shouldn't], the barrel can be flipped over no problem.

Very nice mower MM!
I just picked a Viceroy up the other day for $5! It needs some work but i am planning to restore it. Wish mine had a catcher!


I also have the other mower Jack was talking about, the Victa Ambassador , it may get a resto if i can find an engine, would look great having both together!

I can't wait to see how yours comes together, ours might end up looking the same!

Thanks for reading!
Kye.

Also something i find odd is that in your post here Jack, you said the Viceroy and ambassador had pressed steel bases and the other two had alloy bases. I believe my Ambassador has an alloy base. The Viceroy has a steel pressed base like you said. Perhaps Ambassadors were also made with alloy bases?
Thanks for reading
Kye.

Hi mowermechanic I know this is a few months ago but I've noticed some non-factory fitted things on your Viceroy.I do believe that at some point someone must have had a Cortina 2,as they have put these items on your Viceroy.One which stands out is the Cortina 2 cowl and starter assembly.Viceroys didn't come with those cowls.Also a little harder to notice is the handles and brackets are also of a Cortina. I'd even goes as far to say the engine also is off a Cortina as the carby and muffler are on the wrong side.The only way to get the carby to fit that side it to raise the engine,which I can see has happen.As the carby well is on the muffler side and unlike other mowers the bowl of the carby does have a close fit to the base.

I've just added one of your pictures.The two higher circles are the stop points which are the same as a Cortina 2.The bottom circle (under the muffler) is where the carby well is.
I know the condition of my Viceroy isn't great but you can see which side the muffler is on and also the stops bits on the handles aren't there.As there is a small hole where the bottom bar locks into the bracket.


There was two different models of the Viceroy the model 505 & 517.The only difference between them was the cowls and starters.As your has been changed I don't even know which model it is.
I hope your not disappointed I just wanted to point it out.As I know I hate it when I get something that is suppose to be one thing and then turns out to be a bitza.

Kye I know no one has answered your question about the steel base Ambassador so I will.
Technically Jack is correct here I'll show you.

However in the greenbook it shows it is an alloy base.

Now although it stated that it is a pressed steel base.I have only ever seen them with the alloy base.
So I know that may sound confusing as it is to me.I mean why advertise it's a steel base when it came as an alloy base?
Or was there one that was steel?
If there was a steel base I would consider this to be a very very rare mower.
I mean I've been collecting for over 20 years and haven't seen one yet.
So if some one does have one please we'd love to see some pictures.

Ahh ok, so maybe just a typo, or some are just very rare. The base on your first picture has some differences to my base and the one in the second picture, it doesn't have the circle next to Victa, and it has a rectangle shape under the engine on the base, both are like it on the steel Viceroy base too.
Maybe there is a rare steel Ambassador.

I'm not sure about a typo as someone had to sit and draw the picture.So I really don't know,as I said I've never seen a steel based Ambassador.

Mowermechanic blumbly any chance of a pic of the side cover I am after one just want to see few pictures make sure I get the right one

I'll get a picture of one for you some time today.

OK Gman as requested here are some pictures of what you were after.






I added pictures of all the extra bits they came with.The first is the side cover you were asking about.

I just happen to have a side windrow and cover the exact same as that. I also have the converter for the wind start. If I kept that Viceroy I would have heaps of stuff for it now.

Oh well, I am sure Blumbly will be able to do much more then I would.

I think your correct there.Sound like I have to do some collecting from you.

Thanks blumbly 👍 for the extra pics. I bought a viceroy last week. Hasn't turned up as yet post when it arrives. Tried to up load picture last night seems it's a no go with a iPhone

It's most likely the file size of the photo is too big.

Blumbly. Just going through few boxes of parts under the house notice I have a VC 125.mower Haven't rely noticed this model at all on the rounds are they also getting hard to find.

Well Gman it depends on which model it is.If you check my thread below.
It's really an identification thread but you will be able to see the 3 different versions.
VC-125
Hopefully you will be able to see which model you have
I mean in generally they are getting hard to find,but the Mark II are harder to find and the Mark III are extremely hard to find.After a 6 year search I was able to finnaly get a Mark III and within that time I was only able to find 3.Two of which I have got.
See if you can throw some pictures up (preferably on the VC-125 thread) and I'll do my best to identify which you have have.