Smoke Rings

By Staff
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Courtesy of James Greif, R.R. 1, Coggon, Iowa 52218.
Courtesy of James Greif, R.R. 1, Coggon, Iowa 52218.
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Courtesy of George F. Kempher, 110 7th Street, Emporium, Pennsylvania 15834.
Courtesy of George F. Kempher, 110 7th Street, Emporium, Pennsylvania 15834.
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Hi Dear Friends!

Instead of me gabbing about my ups and downs, I want you to read
a nostalgic bit of ‘days of yore’. It is entitled WHO ELSE
CAN REMEMBER? and it comes from HAROLD E. HOMAN, King Road, RD,
Silver Creek, New York 14136 (Bet you’ll enjoy it and it will
find you remembering lots more things too, maybe some things you
should remember and a couple you shouldn’t, but go ahead take a
walk down Memory Lane).

‘We went to town on Saturday night to hear local bands play
and maybe folks could spare a nickel for an ice cream cone.

Toys were a luxury so we made things by ourselves. Separator
cylinders we made from broom sticks and finishing nails. Someone
hammered out a crank and robbed parts of Dad’s harness for a
belt to get up speed.

All types of threshers came around; a nice Westinghouse came one
year. Another time an Old Horizontal came along and spent nearly a
week getting two hundred bushel.

Two brothers had a Buffalo Pitts. One said, ‘We go Vintons
tomorrow – bring the short belt.’ They forgot. Rather than
drive back home, 20 miles back and forth, they had to use the
jackknife. What a pity!

A German family from the next road brought in the first
gasoline, a Mogul ten-twenty friction drive. This was nice – no
extra team for the water tank.

One afternoon they had just started again. Guess there were some
things to oil from the platform. This was a hit and miss. The man
stepped off and headed for the separator. The cylinder blew off and
stuck in the ground about 30 feet to the rear. Looked like a big
cannon. The piston jumped up and poked a hole through the top. It
kept going forward to make a mess of the cooling screen. Finally
those big flywheels stopped.

They went right to town and ordered another. This one was
bigger, more enclosed and more streamlined. As I remember it had a
short cab and the exhaust came out an oblong stack in front. There
was a narrow twelve inch wheel stuck out front of the drive wheels
which were much taller than a man. Does someone else remember?

A few years passed and all went to the County Fair. The days of
the open gears were passing as of the Avery two cylinder. There was
Avery and a John Deere D with no muffler which really chuckled. The
European corn borer boys had a fleet of them.

There also was the Fordson – no fenders, no pulley, no governor
and no start in winter – and no brakes. Why they never blew up
without a governor I cannot understand, unless they did not have
zip enough.

We then moved to a neighborhood where one farmer had a two
wheeled Moline – (what a beautiful motor) and another had a Cletrac
which steered with a straight-up steering wheel. Most
inconvenient.

They argued the merits of each until one rainy day when the help
was not there. They took both up in the back lot. It was nip and
tuck on each implement. Finally they got so steamed up they hitched
draw bar to draw bar. The final jerk twisted the jack shaft from
the Moline and it had to be towed to the shed.

I went to work for the Moline man when school was out and that
was our first job – to set that cement wheel on. With the things we
had to get along with then, it was a feat.’ GN-74

I had a letter from GENE THRASHER, Woodcliff Road, R.D. 1,
Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612 recently asking for information and as
usual I’ll have to go to my Gas Engine Family for help:

Will you please help me obtain information on a SCHMIDT’S
CHILLED CYLINDER, Manufactured by SCHMIDT BROS. CO. ENGINE WORKS
Davenport, Iowa. The engine is a 3 H.P. upright cylinder. The
patent date is Aug. 13, 1907. I would like to correspond with
someone who owns one of these engines. I need information on the
size and shape of the gasoline tank. I also need to know the type
of carburetor this engine had since the carb is missing from this
engine.

I enjoy your column in the Gas Engine Magazine and I feel it is
most helpful to engine collectors.

‘Here is one for Smoke Rings’, says ALFRED TROYER, 1294
W. Chicago Road, R.R. 4, Sturgis, Michigan 49091. ‘I traded for
a Delco light plant, serial number 227841. I need some help! The
terminal for the spark plug wire on the coil is missing. How can it
be replaced? I need a wiring diagram. The control panel is
4-1/2′ wide and 7-1/2′ high. The gas tank fits under the
generator with bolts on each side. I have a crank with it – could
it start automatically also? Does it run on gas or kerosene? I
didn’t see one like it at the shows I attended this summer. Can
anyone tell me about what year it was manufactured? Please let me
hear from someone who knows about the 32 volt tools or
appliances.’

And from over the waters, MICHAEL DELANOY, High Street, The
Farmland Museum, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England CB6 3XB writes
us: ‘I’m writing you about an engine we have in our small
museum. It is a PILTER engine, No. K58764 of about 1-1/2 HP, square
hopper-cooled, open crank. Crank guard missing? Date?

To date we have found no information on this and would like to
restore it back to original. Should any of your readers have any
information they could send us, we would very much appreciate
it.

For the record, we have several other engines (International,
Lister, Fairbanks-Morse, Bradford) which we run on our open days,
much to the delight of our visitors.’

By the way Friends, Earlene Ritzman has just had another
hospital stay – she had another back operation and is on the road
to recovery now. She would be happy to hear from you at her home
address, 808 Wertzville Road, Enola, Pa. 17025. (This is the second
back operation in a year, so I know you all wish her well as we do
and hope she is soon ‘BACK’ -I guess I can use that word —
to normal. Good Luck Earlene! She looked real perky the last time I
visited with her).

JOHN FREEMAN, RFD, Goose Creek, Roseville, Ohio 43777 would like
to correspond with anyone knowing about Huber tractors. He recently
acquired a Huber which has a 4 cylinder overhead valve Waukesha
engine. It has a wide front end with rubber 6/50 x 16 tires. The
rear wheels are spoked with rubber 13.5 x 24 tires. I don’t
know whether it was originally on steel or not. The transmission is
3-speed forward, 1 reverse, hand clutch, foot brakes. It was
designed to start on gasoline and run on kerosene I think, since
there is a small fuel tank and a large one. He would like to find
out the model, horsepower, year of manufacture. Any help will be
appreciated!

R. H. STEIN, Box 319, Pemberville, Ohio 43450 has a Superior 6
HP engine built in Springfield, Ohio and would like to hear from
someone who could tell him about the carburetor and ignition for
this engine. (Don’t let him down, Fellas, he’s one of our
new members).

BERNARD N. WURM, 15354 Hematite St. N. W., Anoka, Minnesota
55303 has what is supposed to be a 1929 Thieman Economy Tractor.
The serial number is 1892 and it was built in Albert City, Iowa by
the Thieman Harvester Company. The tractor is row crop in design
and uses a Model A Ford engine, transmission, driveshaft and rear
end. His tractor is on rubber with a single wheel in front. He
would appreciate any information about the company or the
tractor.

A request for help comes from R. G. SPITTLE, Box 15, Creswick.
3363. Victoria, Australia as he writes: ‘I need some
information on the Stover engine. In Australia, the Stover engine
was marketed under the name of Cooper. This engine (of which I have
one) is hopper-cooled and horizontal and also open crankcase. I
also have a Sandwich engine of approximately 1-1/2 HP which I
discovered through one of your readers-was made by the Stover
Engine Co.

I also need information on an engine which is called the
Multinomah. It is a horizontal, two stroke engine and is of
approximately 4 HP. On the side of the engine it says
‘Portland, Oregon’ of which I presume is the place of
manufacture. This engine, which is tank-cooled is now running after
a carburetor and governor systems were fabricated. Any information
on these engines would be greatly appreciated.’

ROBERT W. HUGHES, 120 Tammv Lane, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017
has recently acquired an International gasoline engine and is
seeking all information available — perhaps you could write
him?

CARY COLEMAN, Route 5, Box 228, Staunton, Virginia 24401 has a
Delco Light Plant and the only number he can find on it is 64033.
He would like to know what year it was made and some information on
how it works. (Could you throw a little light on the subject??)

From ROBERT G. NOBLE, R. D. 2 Milton Road, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
07438 comes another call for help – ‘I am restoring a Leader
Iron Works, 1 HP, 450 RPM gasoline engine. This engine is of the
hit and miss (donkey) type. I am seeking operating and
specification information for this antique.’ (Please lead him
to some helpful data, Friends.)

A short bit for the Smoke Rings comes from GIL EASTER, 28035
Aumond Avenue, Canyon Country, California 91351 who tells us:
‘The past years I have become particularly interested in
Galloway engines. I have acquired 1-1/4, 1-3/4, 2-1/4 and 6 HP
models, but still need four other engines to complete the series.
Through correspondence, literature, trial and error and some luck I
now have some knowledge of the smaller Galloways and would be glad
to hear from others with more information or problems to
share.’

A newcomer needs some help getting started in his hobby — JAMES
D. COMPTON, 9241 Country Place, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
writes:

‘After seeing many 1 cyl. ‘flywheel type’ engines
years ago in the Oklahoma oil fields, I decided about two years ago
that restoring such an engine would be a pleasant pastime. However,
as my search began, I discovered that old gasoline engines are a
rare commodity. Until a few days ago, I had no idea that there are
so many people with the same love for old engines. A new
acquaintance (a collector of engines) loaned me a copy of G.E.M.,
and, having read it cover to cover, I am enclosing my check for a
subscription.

I just purchased a 3 HP Fairbanks-Morse ‘Z’ 475 RPM
engine and am beginning restoration of same. This engine appears in
reasonable good condition except for the cylinder head/carburetor
area. I believe the engine is the type which is started on
gasoline, then switched to kerosene, however the brass needle valve
assembly on the kerosene side has been bent and the needle valves
are missing. Also, the exhaust valve has been bent and beat up and
salvage is questionable.

If any of your readers might have information about these
engines in the form of manuals, pictures, or anything else that
would help me restore this fine relic, I’d appreciate hearing
from them.

I’m a beginner in this fascinating hobby, but I am looking
forward to acquiring more engines and sharing the fun that, after
reading G.E.M. is obviously enjoyed by so many.’

A plea comes your way from PALMER BOCHOW, 1260 Med-ford Road,
Pasadena, California 91107. Palmer has just purchased an 8 cycle
Aeromotor and he needs all the help and information on this engine
that anyone can offer. The engine has one flywheel No. Z2.
(He’s waiting for your answers).

CLETIS WELLER, Route 2, Cox’s Creek, Kentucky 40013 sends us
this request: ‘I recently purchased a 4 HP air-cooled gasoline
engine made by Light Inspection Car Co. of Hagerstown, Indiana. It
is hit and miss, enclosed crank, governor weights in the spoked
flywheels that are 18′ diameter and very heavy. It has an
igniter and spark plug but never a magneto. I would like to hear
from someone who has an engine like this. Please give details of
carburetor or mixer as the original on mine is missing. I would
also like some information on the company that made the
engine.’ (Anyone out there in Engine Land have one like this
engine?).

LAVERN HAYENGA, 8260 Old River Road, Rockford, Illinois 61103
wants us to know he has recently restored an Emerson Brantingham 1
HP gasoline engine Serial #8697. He would be very happy to hear
from anyone having information, data, whatever on this engine. (Do
hope you get some answers Lavern!).

From ARTHUR H. ANDERSON, 25275 Ipava Avenue, Route 1, Lakeville,
Minnesota 55044 comes this writing: ‘I sure enjoy G.E.M.
especially the way you put letters like this in print. First, my
humble knowledge of timing hit and miss engines for Clarence Horn
in the Sept.-Oct. issue – I grew up with those things and I used to
set the ignition to fire 4 degrees before dead center for every 100
revolutions of normal speed, and the exhaust to open slightly more
than 1/2 revolution (180 degrees) after that, and if it has fuel,
spark and compression – that little monster just has to
go–period!!

Now, on bended knee, I ask some help for myself as I have
recently acquired an Allis-Chalmers which I believe to be a Model
E, but I don’t know if it is a 20-35 or a 25-40. Do you suppose
someone could write to me and fill me in on this?? (I sure do,
pardner). Or they could let me know through your column.

I started collecting tractors about a year and a half ago when I
bought an F-12 Farmall. Since then I have acquired a 1935 F-20 and
a 1924 Regular. Pictured above is the prize of my collection, a
1929 John Deere G.P. that I bought last fall. This tractor set
under a tree for 27 years. It took three months to restore it, but
I think it was time well spent.

I’m only 18 years old and should get another lifetime use
out of it.

I first subscribed to your G.E.M. a year ago and after seeing a
year of it, you can be sure that I will be subscribing for many
years to come.

Now, in closing, I wish to say if any of G.E.M. readers should
pass this way, my humble abode is always open for coffee and a
snack, or even a place to sleep. I am a widower, so they would have
to put up with bachelors quarters which are not always neat — but
always comfy. (Now, isn’t that a nice hospitable offer??)

RUSSELL E. BEMIS, 4190 Bald Mountain Road, Pontiac, Michigan
48057 is really seeking a pen pal -anyone who owns a 15 HP Alamo
engine. Please write him – he even put an ad in the classified
section.

Russell also told us that he answers a lot of fellows who want
information, but it is very rare that they write him back or say
thank you. As Russell says, ‘People are funnier than
anybody’. I don’t know if that’s being funny – but it
is discourteous.

Russell also sent along this missal on being asked for donations
– I found it quite amusing and thought I would pass it along to you
– hope you enjoy it (and don’t forget to write Russell if you
have any comments or information on his engine).

‘My Dear Sir:

In reply to your request to send a check I wish to inform you
that the present condition of my bank account makes it almost
impossible. My shattered financial condition is due to federal
laws, state laws, county laws, city laws, corporation laws, liquor
laws, mother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws and
outlaws.

Through these laws I am compelled to pay a business tax, head
tax, school tax, gas tax, income tax, food tax, furniture tax,
excise tax, even my brains are taxed. I am required to get a
business license, hunting license, fishing license, truck license,
not to mention a marriage license and a dog license.

I am also required to contribute to every society and
organization which the genius of man is capable of bringing to
life; women’s relief, unemployed relief and gold-digger relief.
Also to every hospital and charitable institute in the city;
including the Red Cross, the black cross, the purple cross and the
double cross.

For my own safety I am required to carry life insurance,
property insurance, liability insurance, burglar insurance,
accident insurance, business insurance, earthquake insurance,
tornado insurance, unemployment insurance, old-age insurance and
fire insurance.

My business is so governed it is no easy matter for me to find
out who owns it. I am inspected, expected, suspected, disrespected,
rejected, dejected, examined, re-examined, informed, required,
summoned, fined, commanded and compelled until I provide an
unexhaustable supply of money for every known need of the human
race.

Bert DeLarme of R.D. 1, Dubois, Pennsylvania and his 12 HP
Advance engine at McKean County Fair Engine Show at Smethport,
Pennsylvania 1974. Bert works for the McGarvey Equipment Co. at
Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania and they loaned him a tilt bed truck to
transport his engines to the show.

Simply because I refused to donate to something or other I am
boycotted, talked about, lied about, held up, held down or robbed
until I am almost ruined.

I can tell you honestly that except for the miracle that just
happened I could not enclose this check. The wolf that comes to
many doors, nowadays, just had pups in my kitchen. I sold them and
here is your money.

Sincerely yours,

P.S. — Could you possibly donate $10.00 to the Ladies Thursday
Afternoon Pink Lemonade Society?

JON SELZLER, R.R. 2, Bemidji, Minnesota 56601 had a wonderful
time as you can see through his writing: ‘Recently I went to
the show at Rollag, Minnesota. I had the best four days of fun I
had in my whole life. I helped a friend, Jim Withers, keep his huge
engine running. His big black Bear engine blew a head gasket the
2nd day of running, but we had it changed and running in three
hours. This engine is 25 HP, vertical flyball, belt driven type
governor. The name describes it perfectly, it’s a real bear!
But, I fell in love with it, and spent a lot of time running it.
Rollag was my first experience at a Show, but not my last. I joined
the Association.’ (Sounds like another happy member of the Gas
Engine Followers).

FRANK DeYOUNG, 5405 Cavitt Stallman Road, Roseville, California
95678 has a few paragraphs for you to read:

‘Although I am new to the gas engine scene I have seen
enough engines in the last few months to have questions about
Steven Stump’s article in your Sept.-Oct. issue. My neighbor
has an Economy buzz saw that has a water hopper different than
either the Hercules or Economy examples shown. The original Economy
decals are still on the sides and the original muffler is shaped
like the funnel. I just acquired what some local collectors say is
an Economy (6HPXK) which is also different than the examples.

Question: Weren’t Economy engines built for Sears Roebuck by
a number of different manufacturers such as; Hercules,
International, etc.? If so, then it seems that there could be many
different types and they would be difficult to identify. Maybe some
other readers would like to comment.

Incidently, my so called Economy has a ‘throttle
control’ governor on it and it apparently is not a hit &
miss engine. I cannot elaborate further as the cylinder head and
carburetor are missing. Ignition is by a Wico linear moving
magneto.

My engine looks like the above mentioned buzz saw engine with
the following exceptions. Mine has solid flywheels with 3′
diameter holes. The buzz saw has spokes. Mine has a grease shield,
the buzz saw does not.

Best Wishes go to BILL HACHTEL, 8901 Smith Road, R.F.D. #3,
Willoughby, Ohio, who is in the hospital recovering from a back
operation. Bill would be happy if you fellas would write him and
give him some information on the Ideal engine made in Portsmouth,
Ohio. Also any history or relationship to Ideal Engine Company of
Lansing, Michigan.

DOUGLAS WEBSTER, 78 Scar-boro Beach Bldv., Toronto 13, Ontario,
Canada would appreciate hearing from folks interested in his kind
of engine. He has a Little Jumbo engine, Model P, Number 6953,
1-3/4 HP, 500 rpm made by Nelson Brothers Company of Saginaw,
Michigan. He seems to be having some trouble with the igniter – how
to make one or something like that – drop him a line.

JOHN VOELPEL, 2770 West Creek Road, Newfane, New York 14108
would like the readers to send him a list of the tractors they own,
so he can put down on paper how many of these old tractors are
left. (Sounds like a big job, John – hope you get a lot of
answers).

John also says he has a Friend pump engine made by the Friend
Mfg. Co. in Gasport, N. Y. It is a Model BX with serial number
9308. He would like to know the year it was made, the color and any
other information he can get on it. He also needs to know the
details of the carburetor as it is in pieces.

Had a letter recently from MAXWELL E. EATON, Assistant Business
Manager of Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont 05753 – Here
’tis for you to read and then perhaps you can help solve their
inquiry —

Middlebury College has stored away at our Bread Loaf Mountain
Campus an iron wheel Fordson Tractor, circa 1923. We were informed
that date of manufacture can be established by the serial number
but we are not able to locate this number. The information that we
have to establish approximate manufacture date is taken from the
casting to the left of the instrument panel where 18 patent dates
are listed dating from August 20, 1912 through August 28, 1923.

The tractor has not been operated for over five years but the
engine is easily rotated with the crank. The ignition is magneto
and ‘hot shot’ battery. There are two fuel tanks, one for
gasoline and one for kerosene cruising.

We are interested in knowing if we own an antique or a junque.
If you know of any way to determine its value, we would appreciate
hearing from you.

Some information comes from R. F. SOMERVILLE 12498 232 St.,
Maple Ridge P. O., Haney, B. C. Canada as he remarks, ‘On page
30 of the Sept.-Oct. 1974 G.E.M. Mark Peterson asks was there ever
a WD-40 built by I.H.C.-Yes, they built their first wheel type
diesel tractor in 1936 – It looked like a 15-30 McCormick Deering
and had steel wheels with spade lugs, on rubber, it would pull 4-5
14′ plows, drive 26-48 thresher had power take off, belt pulley
and cost $2415 Edmonton, Canada. It was E cylinder, 4-3/4′
bore, 6-1/2′ stroke, 1100 rpm., belt pulley diameter
16-3/4′. Front wheels 34 x 6, drive wheels 50 x 12, belt
horsepower, 44.04 drawbar 27.99, weight 7550 lbs., fuel tank 31
gallons, length 141 inches, width 61 inches. It had renewal
cylinder sleeves. It had a unique starting system as it had gas
carburetor and H. T. magneto and hand starting crank.’

From WILLIAM SCHOPPE III, Pine Hill Road, Berwick, Maine 03901
comes a short letter – ‘I enjoy my G.E.M. more than any other
magazine I get. This magazine fits in with my hobby very well. I am
a gas engine collector. I have about 35 engines and two old garden
tractors, one is a Shaw Do-All and the other is a Beeman, made by
the Beeman Tractor Co. Minneapolis, Minnesota, patented in the
U.S., Canada and England 1917-18 and 1919. This is the only data I
know. This tractor runs very well. Anyone have one like it? I would
like to hear from them. This is a one cylinder, two flywheel
tractor with a brass honeycomb radiator. I also have with it a
plow, harrow (disc) and cultivators and a spike tooth harrow.’
(Guess he will be looking for some mail, Friends).

WILLIAM C. KUHL, 464 So. 5th St., Sebewaing, Michigan 48759
wants someone to tell him what year his two gas engines were built.
He has a 2 HP 600 rpm Fuller Johnson, serial number 166017 and a
1-1/2 HP, 500 rpm Fairbanks Morse, serial number 583853. (Anybody
know??)

‘Just a note for your Smoke Rings,’ writes OWEN D.
AR-NETT, R.R. 5, Box 5115, Nampa, Idaho 83651 – ‘First, I want
to commend you for the really great magazine. Second, we have a 6
HP headless Witte #35643 that is badly stuck. We have just picked
it up. Also a 5 HP Fairbanks-Morse closed crankshaft which we are
rebuilding now. Then we have a 5-6 HP Cushman vertical engine Model
C-34 that is missing a lot of parts, but seems to be real good
otherwise. We have 3 Maytags, one single cylinder on a washing
machine that we use every week and 2 twin cylinders, one on a lawn
mower and one on a generator. We’re going to get a small engine
to put on our flour mill as we grind our own flour and do our own
baking. We enjoy using the engines for more than just for show.
Would like to hear from other engine men around the state of Idaho
and close by.

Thank you again for the good magazine. I always read the Smoke
Rings first to see it I know any of the fellows or if I can help
any of them.’ (And thank you for letting us know how much you
enjoy our magazine).

WILLIAM BAILEY, 2762 Canterbury Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145 is
trying to get information on a Flex Tred motor cultivator. If any
of you can tell him something about it, please send him the
information. He is interested in how old it is, and could you tell
if parts are still available. This cultivator was made by the Vaugh
Motor Company in Oregon. Bill sent this picture along – maybe it
will help you to help him.

Here’s an inspiring letter from ROGER EGOLF, 5430 Maumee
Road, Lot 54, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805 – ‘Dear Smoke Rings – I
don’t need any information, but I would like to show my
appreciation for the fine reading and looking material in the
G.E.M. — moving the grass roots to Lancaster hasn’t detracted
from the magazine a bit. I’m subscribing to the Iron-Men also.
You’re not going to keep me waiting two months anymore.

I have a boy 13 and a girl 5 years old and they enjoy the many
shows around my area as much as I do — which is a lot.

Am enclosing a photo of two of my tractors at the Portland
Tri-State Show — a 1925 McCor-mick Deering 10-20 and a 1936 John
Deere AR.

You have a wonderful column! (Thanks, I needed that, but do you
know what?? Without folks like you writing in — it would be
nothing).

MRS. FRANK S. ULRICH, JR., 393 Swartlick Road, Rt. 2, Owego, New
York 13827 is looking for pictures of her father, William (Bill)
Cook of Candor, New York. Mr. Cook died in November and his
daughter says her father took great pride in his engines and the
gas shows. She says she knows there were pictures taken of him at
these shows and had requested if we had any – I can’t seem to
find any pictures of Bill Cook in our magazines. If you know of
any, please let me know and if you have any pictures you or someone
have taken at the shows, please get in touch with Mrs. Ulrich —
she will be most grateful.

And then we have a letter and picture from a new member to our
‘Family’ — comes from D. WRIGHT, 4260E 8th Ct., Hialeah,
Florida 33013 — ‘I’m new to your magazine and I enjoy it
very much. I found an engine in New Hampshire this summer while on
vacation. I have long wanted to find some engines, but I’m out
of it down here in S. Florida. I don’t know of anyone who
collects these engines in this area — if there are, I’d like
to hear from them.

When I was a kid on our farm in Western Pennsylvania, we had a 7
HP Gray. I’d like to have one like that someday again.

I’m sending a picture of my engine and maybe some of your
readers can give me some information on it. The governor and crank
are missing, but I hope to get it in operating condition. The only
data on the engine are Part Numbers – on the head (U3), on
connecting rod (JS 42) on crankshaft (JS 36), on left main (JS 2)
and on right main (U2). (So how about it, Gems of fellows – do you
think you can come up with some answers for Mr. Wright?

Mr. Lestz had received a letter from RALPH W. HOFFMAN, Seneca,
Kansas 66538 which we would like to share with you. ‘On page 24
is a picture of a tractor, courtesy of Gerald Lestz, Editor, that
was built by Earl Willard, Morrill, Kansas about 1918. It is in the
May-June 1974 issue. I was born and raised 4 miles from Morrill,
Kansas and rode many miles on the tractor, as it was used to grade
roads in our township. I was about nine years old at the time.

I must tell you this is the first one of the Gas Engine
Magazines I have seen and I enjoy it very much. I have a 1919,
12-20 Heider tractor that I have about ready to run and a couple of
old Briggs Stratton engine-valve in head.’ (Just a little note
of interest how a picture can revive old memories and bring new
friends).

Well, the frost is on the pumpkin as they say (I don’t know
where I heard that, but ‘they said’ it sometime or other
and deadline is coming up for this Nov.-Dec. issue the last of
another year ALREADY?? Hope there are a lot of crisp, beautiful
days ahead of us before the Holidays – and next time we chat, it
will be 1975 – Good Luck, Good Health and Good Fun in the upcoming
days of the rest of 1974.

GE Muinely, ANNA MAE

  • Published on Nov 1, 1974
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