Smoke Rings

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F-12 with Wauk L head engine
F-12 with Wauk L head engine
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It has tapered flywheels with blades or fins on the spokes
It has tapered flywheels with blades or fins on the spokes

KEN EVANS, 130 Malcolm Drive, Pasadena, California 91105 is
seeking information about a Western Engine Co. ‘Enterprise’
air compressor Type FD, No. 1015. It has a single crank but two
pistons, one for power, one for A.B. The castings are all
FX-prefixes and it uses Ford Model T parts, e.g., piston connecting
rod, half a cam shaft, front cover, felt oil seals and a Kingston
L4 carburetor. I need to know general information such as when
built, HP, RPM, water pump type and use? I also need to know what
magneto was used. From the mounting plate I know that it is rotary
with four bolts mounting on a 2 3/16′ x
15/8‘ bolt pattern, driven by a round
disc 17/8‘ diameter, with 5/16’ above
mounting base and the drive face is 25/8
from nearest mounting hole.

‘Your column has been very helpful in the past. Let’s
hope for the best.’ (Thanks, Ken, and believe me, it’s
going to get better)

The following is a letter from ROBERT KRUSE, 1090 W. Clark Road,
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 in answer to a question from Menno L.
Kliewer in Smoke Rings Sept/Oct issue, page 15. He wrote Menno and
thought the readers would profit from same, as he says: ‘Maybe
I can give you an idea for your Smoke Ringsa few years ago, when I
was experimenting with my old 3 HP Fairbanks Morse Model Z
throttle-governed engine, we came up with smoke rings. The engine
has a Fairbanks Morse magneto Type J, which fires every two cycles.
It didn’t take long to blow the top off of the old cast iron
muffler so we started putting on different pipes. The exhaust port
is 1’. Then with an elbow, a nipple and a reducing coupling, we
put on a 2′ pipe about 10′ long. We had smoke rings going
out the front door of the garage when the pipe was horizontal. That
was at least 30′ away.

‘We have since assembled a scale model (Oil Pull) with this
engine. The exhaust is assembled with 1′ pipe and flexible
tubing to the bottom of the Oil Pull (water cooler) stack. Inside
the stack, we have a 3′ pipe about 2’ long, straight
up.

‘The carburetor has a gasoline pot and needle valve for
starting and warm-up, and another needle valve to admit kerosene
from the tank. It has to be quite warm to run on kerosene. It will
make some smoke rings on gasoline, but if we cut the gasoline down
some, and turn the kerosene on a little, and mix it up and make the
engine work a little, we make smoke rings every time it fires.

‘This also works on a McCormick Deering 1 HP
throttle-governed engine, but it doesn’t seem to work on a
‘hit and miss’ engine.’ (Thanks, Bob, for sending
this along so all the readers could share)
.

JOHN MORRISON, 23 Standish Road, New Milford, Connecticut 06776
needs any information you might be able to give him about his Barco
gasoline-powered jack hammer. It has no model number or date on it,
but the person who gave it to him said it used to have a Model T
vibrator coil, which is now missing.

HOWARD GIBBLE, R.D. # 1, Box 548, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania 17552
requests: ‘I would like information on the gas engine made in
Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Some say the name was Nancy, or Wittle, or
Weaver and Wittle, or maybe Lebanon. Also, I would like to know how
many models they made and any other information.’

‘I’m inquiring about a motor resembling a horizontal
open crank 5 HP Galloway, except the nameplate appeared to be
triangular-shaped because of the rust mark left behind on the
hopper tank, and the bits of brass left under the rivets. Hopefully
someone can identify this engine for me!’ (If you can help
please write HANK DIEPERINK, M.S. 944 Ipswich 4305 QLD, Australia.
See diagram below.)

A gracious letter comes to clarify a story carried in an earlier
issue as FRANK J. BURRIS, 1102 Box Canyon Road, Fallbrook,
California 92028 writes: ‘It is very difficult for a writer to
detect all his typographical (or any other) errors in a manuscript.
Now, after wishing to express my most sincere thanks for your
publication of my ‘Diesel Musings’ in the Sept/Oct issue of
GEM. I read it and find two typographical errors
which, if not described in a future issue of our wonderful hobby
publication, may be the cause of raising of many eyebrows.

‘These two blurbs as outlined herewith are self-explanatory
and should require no line reference in the text.

‘1) ‘…while the starting bottles may carry up to 1100
psi…’ The text erroneously indicated 100 psi.

‘2) ‘But now we come to the ‘hot bulb’ types of
‘semi-Diesel engines.’ The text erroneously indicated hot
buld. (Thank you for setting the errors aright, Frank,
regardless of how the errors were madeas you point out sometimes
just one digit or letter can make a world of difference).

CRAIG T. WILEY, R.D. 1, Box 270, Polk, Ohio 44866 has a
question: ‘Are there any collectors of coffee grinders out
there in Engine Land somewhere? I would like to hear from someone
who could supply me with photographs and/or sketches of a Fairbanks
Morse No. 7 coffee grinder so that I can do a good job of painting
and repairing one I have. I am particularly interested in seeing
what the mechanism looks like that threads into the end of the
shaft for adjusting the distance between the burrs. Thank you very
much!’

‘I need information on two tractors I own,’ comments
MERRILL SHEETS, Bittersweet Farms, 4596 Co. Home Road, Delaware,
Ohio 43015: ‘One is a 17-30 Minneapolis, S/N 2289. I think it
is the A model. It has the shorter frame. The tractor engine is a
cross-mount and runs counter clockwise. I would appreciate any info
as to year, color and any help in restoring.

‘The other tractor is an 8-16 IHC. I can’t find the S/N.
The engine has an oiler for lubrication, a lot of frame, hood
latches, and drawbar are cast iron. This tractor is nearly
complete, but very rusty. I would like some pictures of any
tractors like this one. What color should it be and what kind of
decals are on either one?’ (I know someone is waiting with
your answers, Merrill. And best of luck on your restoring the
tractors)
.

‘I recently acquired a 2 HP Sharpies and information seems
to be about as scarce as hen’s teeth. The Sharpies has two
ignition systems which consist of a Webster on one side of the
cylinder and a battery system on the other. Perhaps someone in
Engine Land could send a little data about the Sharpies or the
hen’s teethsuch as color, dates, etc.’ Please write JAMES
C. WHITE, 7821 Dewberry Lane, Cedar Hill, Missouri 63016.

‘I’ve been reading GEM cover to cover
for a number of years now and attending gas engine shows from
Minnesota to Texas, but this is the first time I have been stumped
by an engine. I am enclosing pictures to help in identification.
I’ve never seen anything like it before,’ quotes R. P.
CHANEY, 402 West Sarah Street, Cuero, Texas 77954.

‘The sideshaft is driven by a worm gear on the flywheel. The
shaft drives the fuel pump first, the governor next, the exhaust
cam and finally the timing mechanism. Both the exhaust and intake
valves are on the pulley side along with an overflow carburetor.
The gas tank is part of the base casting.

‘There are no brass tags, casting marks, or serial numbers.
It appears to be about 1 to 2 HP, hit and miss, using a battery and
Ford coil. The only visible identification is a diamond-shaped
decal on the hopper which says ‘SOUTHERN’. 1 would like to
know who made it? When, what color and any other history.’
(If you get the answer, R.P., let us know!.)

NORMAN SCHWARTZ, R.R. 2, Nebgen Road, Oak Grove, Missouri 64075
is interested in any information such as serial number listings,
along with dates of manufacture, any sales literature, etc. on
Cockshutt and/or Co-op tractors and farm equipment. Any help will
be greatly appreciated and all letters will be promptly
answered.

I’m sure some of our readers will be happy to share the
letter sent by MAX R. HUTCHINS, 1601 N. College, #97, Fort Collins,
Colorado 80524: ‘Perhaps you could pass this on to someone that
has advertising literature or history on the very first T-20 IHC
TracTracTor, about 1931. I’ve tried IHC Archives, Dressier that
took over IHC crawlers, Hal Higgins Library, U. of Neb. and none
can give much on it.

‘In 1928 they made a 10-20 Crawler and this was mentioned in
the first issue No II Dev. of the Ag Tractor but the wrong photo
was used on page 17, figure 53. This is the later T-20.

‘The enclosed photos show one I found in Missouri and the
tracks, seat and tank are those of the T-20. The top clutch
housings and- rear drive housing are different. The engine is a
replacement truck engine and not the one that belongs in it. I
don’t have the S/N and am not so sure if it is classed as a
10-20 Crawler or the first T-20; or which engine has the 10-20, or
the Farmall engine like the T-20.

‘I am also looking for the specifications on the first F-12
with Wauk L head engine.’

‘I haven’t written to GEM for help on anything in quite
a while,’ claims HOWARD SINS, R.D. #1, Box 67,.

West Leyden, New York 13489. ‘I’ve been in college for
two years, and old engines are getting harder to find. Over the
summer, I got a very large pump from a fellow enthusiast, and I
need a bit of help.

‘It is a Fairbanks-Morse 5×5 S/N T34481, very much like the
one pictured on page 15 of Jan/Feb 1984 GEM. I took the pump apart
before I took a picture of it, so I’ll have to draw
pictures:

‘Figure 1shows the pump as it would appear from the side
opposite the engine. The pump is directly-geared to the engine,
which is about 3 HP, I think. Figure 2 shows a side view and end
view of the assembly at the extreme left of Figure 1. This is where
my main questions are: First, what is this assembly for? My father
says that it is the end bearing, but I think it may be a pump of
some sort. There is an oil pan (Fig. 1) which oils the rod, which
is why I say it’s a Here is an interesting letter from CARL W.
HODGSON, 4810 E. Fruitport Rd., Fruitport, Michigan 49415. He
writes: ‘I would like to tell a story about something that I
thought would never happen to me. I have been collecting and
restoring gas engines for 2 years. I was always hearing stories
about how other people stumbled onto rare and unusual engines
practically in their own backyards, but never thought it would
happen to me, but it did. I came home from an engine show and heard
that my cousin had an engine that had belonged to his father. He
lived about 3 miles from me. After buying engines all over
Michigan, that was really close. I went to look at this engine the
next evening and offered to buy it. He really didn’t care to
sell it but because I was family and I really liked it, he soon
agreed to sell it to me.

‘I mounted that engine on my trailer and started taking it
to shows. It has no tags plates or decals on it so I thought that
was the best way to find out what the name of it is. I’ve taken
it to the Buckly, Michigan and the Portland, Indiana shows and
still have not found out what it is. So I am turning to fellow gas
engine men for help through your magazine. I am enclosing a picture
of this engine. It has tapered flywheels with blades or fins on the
spokes on the inside of the flywheel and the gears are on the
inside of the housing. The cylinder block and the base is one
casting. Here are some of the numbers that are on it: Head A53,
Block or jug X810, Carburetor A39, Flywheel A53, and the main
bearing cap A8.

‘I am hoping that someone in gas engine world can tell me
the name, color, and horsepower of it. Possibly if someone has one
like it they would send me a picture and any information they might
have to help me identify this engine.’

In 1966 BabyGEM was born and although
we began this venture with over a thousand subscribers for the
first issue it was still a baby and we were anxious parents
(Ritzman’s and staff). The years fled by, the baby became a
toddler in the magazine field, and as little ones do, we had to
crawl, walk and then stumble and fall, and learn something from
each phase of growing up well, you know what? The baby is 19 years
old with the printing of this issue, and that’s just about
pretty well grown not that we will not make mistakes any more, that
doesn’t happen in life, nor will it in the printing area. BUT
we’ve learned a lot and have come a long way and as we stand in
the doorway of 1985 with over 18,000 subscribers, we are anxiously
waiting to serve you in the future years with new hope in better
magazines, ideas, improving in every way possible, and as all good
things come to an end in each of our lives this is my farewell
column to you. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve you
in varied capacities throughout the years.

It is now time for a change and a very good one! Many of you
have written through the latter years in hopes of a column with
more answers. I know Smoke Rings has served as a great medium
whereby fellow enthusiasts did get their questions satisfied, but
many times the one sending the question was the only one getting
the answer. When we did get the answers here at home base, we
printed it, but that did not happen often enough. Beginning with
the next issue there will be a new column whereby many of the
questions will be answered right away, as Charles H. Wendel will be
taking over this area. I’m sure many of you recognize the name
right away, as Chuck has contributed many articles to GEM, is an
author of books and an entrepreneur of the gas engine hobby. We are
most fortunate to have him. He will be able to answer many of your
questions immediately and/or will have much greater access to
answers for all problems. (My hat is off to you, Chuck, and I’m
sure you will love this GEM family as I do. They are a great
bunch.) Some of your names I’ve known for years, and I will
always cherish this most enlightening experience in my life of
working with all of you.

And in leaving, you’ll pardon me if I use something I used
many years ago it’s very inspirational to me I’m sure it
will be to you: Dear Lord, as I close the door on these years I
ponder on the things I’ve done… on the things I’ve said
and the joys I’ve had.. . Then I wonder, have I lost or won??
I’ve thought of the new friends I have made, and of the old
ones staunch and true. .. The paths of the old years were made
easier Lord, because I have walked it with You. I think of all the
many times, when my burdens were so heavy to bear, and how my faith
slipped away from me.. . But somehow You were always there Now as I
open the door to these New Years, and carefully peep inside, I
wonder what it holds for me… But I’ll throw the door open
wide and whatever it brings to me and mine, I’ll meet it with a
heart so true… I know that, Lord what e’er it may be,
You’ll be there to carry me through (and You too). Love ‘Ya
Always


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  • Published on Nov 1, 1984
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