3156 Waldron Road, Kankakee, Illinois 60901
Probably the rarest of any type engine is an experimental engine
that was never mass produced. This engine is a cross between the
McCormick Deering model M and model L. At first glance it looks
similar to the model L, except that the E.K. magneto is mounted in
front of the water jacket instead of alongside of the jacket as the
model L’s are. It uses the model M choke; magneto eccentric
trip rod is identical to the model M except longer, and throttling
governor linkage is similar to the model M. Engine is water cooled,
but head is air cooled. Oil is put into the engine from the top
behind the water jacket. Oil pan is cast aluminum. Specifications
are: 3′ bore X 3 3/16′ stroke. Serial number is Q 563. A
letter from the corporate archivist of I.H.C. verifies that it is
definitely an experimental, but they have no further records of
this particular type of engine.
The story I got from an old I.H.C. man in Kankakee, Ill is that
they shipped six of these engines in the late 1920’s to give to
farmers to use in various applications. After one year of use, the
engines were recalled, stripped down, and evaluated. This I.H.C.
dealer had orders to destroy the six engines after stripping them
down, but he destroyed five and kept the remaining one for himself,
which he later traded off for a car. I assume I have the engine
that he saved. Whether any other engines were shipped to other
parts of the country, and how many were made is unknown. If any
other collector has an engine similar to this one, I would
appreciate hearing from him. This engine was shown this summer at
the following shows: Sandwich, Ill., Will County Threshermen,
DeSelm, Ill, Bureau Valley, Ohio, Ill, Blueford, Ill Engine Show;
The Old Time Farm Show, Kankakee, Ill, Winamac, Indiana, and
Portland, Indiana.
NEW GAS STATION NEWS
Gas Station News is a new bi-monthly magazine devoted to service
stations, oil companies and the people involved in them.
Publisher is Tom Trail, P.O. Box 203, Boyce, Virginia 22620. He
is looking for photos and histories and wishes to start a source
library on the oil industry. He is also seeking correspondence,
especially in the Midwest, South, Southwest and West.
Pumps, globes, and signs are among the items featured in ads. We
wish to encourage Tom, for the Stemgas magazines started small and
through interest of collectors have grown to their present
size.
Gerry Lestz
