OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Another Victa Imperial find

Hi All,

A few months ago I came across a Victa Imperial on a kerbside collection. Sadly the fuel tank was gone and the two stroke engine was half full of water. It hadn't been seized and did turn over with some force but the internals were badly corroded.
This week I came across another that had been partially pulled apart due to a clutch issue but the engine runs.

The damaged engine was a Mark2 and the runner is a Mark3, the runner looks in good order apart from a snapped off head bolt. Im hopeful to get the head off to replace that but don't like my chances of getting another head gasket so some care will need to be taken or sealant used on reassembly.

Some photos are below.. the older one appears to have had the drum re plated and welded so no differential action, interesting workmanship. I also see the screws attaching the cutter bar no longer have slots.

Hopefully I can make one out of the two units and provide some spares for someone else.

Engine runs Coffs and splatters and backfires a little bit when first started I guess I�m going to have to clean up the carburettor a bit to try and overcome this. It�s a shame I�ve got a good running Kirby HK 25 That would go nicely on this however these are set up with a tapered crankshaft and the Kirby I have is a straight shaft

Get the Victa to sing properly and you won't bother with the Kirby. All parts are available for the motor, just carby bits a bit scarce

G'day Damon and Norm
As far as I can tell, all Imperial bedknives were attached by rivets.
I suspect many machines were tapped to accept countersunk, slotted set screws in service at a later date.
[manually peened rivets take a lot of time]

Yes, one good machine from this.
The 16" single drum repair is 'not good'.

Great images for the record.
Please let us know how you go Damon.

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

Any advice on removing the chain gears sprockets as I need to remove the drive roller and the cutting drum. The sharks threaded and do the sprockets screw on there ?

Hello Damon
This has been covered many times here.

The principles are simple.
[1] if the sprocket is driven and threaded the thread will always be LH.
Hence the small top sprocket will be a conventional RH.
The reel and roller sprockets - being driven - will be LH.

Simply put a piece of soft wood through the reel to jam it.
Usually a punch and hammer blow to the reel sprocket will release it.

In the unlikely event the sprocket does not release proceed to plan B.
Protect reel sprocket with old chain. Place a plumbers' wrench over this,
but lock the reel as above.

Hope this helps
Jack

Hullo Damon,
Jack is completely correct re rivets being used for the bedknife.
I've just gone to the shed and checked my Imperial and there are six or seven blind rivets across the face.
I shall follow your restoration closely and perhaps gain the confidence to attack my own.
I've said it before, but I cannot fathom people simply junking these small pieces of our history.
Cheers & good luck with your efforts.
John