In 2001, my friend Pat Monahan told me about an engine he had
acquired about 10 years prior that was all apart in a couple of
boxes. He didn’t know much about it other than it was a no-sale at
an auction. He took it rather than see it get scrapped.
I went to look at it, as I was looking for another project to
work on. He said if I would restore it and get it running, he would
give it to me. It is a Lauson Model TLC crank-start (photos
below).
The engine was totally disassembled and other than dirty, the
parts and pieces were in good shape. He had stored it away in a dry
place, thankfully.
It took about three months to get everything cleaned,
reassembled and, what few parts missing, fabricated. The funny
thing was that it didn’t have any nuts, bolts, screws or washers in
the mix of parts.
For many small reasons, I wasn’t able to get it running for
another three months after much “de-bugging.” But it finally has
given in and runs quite well now.
This engine is started by a crank on the PTO side of the engine.
It is all cast iron with New Departure ball bearings on both sides
of the crankshaft, insert rod bearings, with a 2-1/4-by-2-1/4-inch
bore and stroke. It was built in May 1942, has serial no. 74442 and
specification no. 2123. I even found a NOS muffler by accident.
It has only been out to a couple of shows, but I always get many
comments on how odd it is with the crank starter. But my favorite
comment was from Pat when he first saw the engine run. He told me,
“I gave it to the right person. Good job.”
William L. Rogers
17 Independence Lane
Hannacroix, NY 12087
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