Rawleigh-Schryer
I came across this advertisement in a 1916 issue of
Barry’s Almanac that I found in my great-aunt’s
house. I have never heard of this brand of engine or seen one at an
engine show. On another note, I have a Speedex Model S-24, serial
no. 0175A, with a 42-inch deck. If anyone knows the year it was
made I would like to hear from him or her. Barry Ingram 125
Stovall Road, Pulaski, TN 38478, trikerhd@igiles.net
Rawleigh-Schryer Co., Freeport, Ill, started life as the
Ziegler-Schryer Co. in 1909. According to C.H. Wendel’s
American Gasoline Engines Since 1872, W.T. Rawleigh took over
operations in 1910 and the company name changed to reflect his
ownership. Paul Schryer, the other half of the company, started his
engine career with Stover Engine Works, Freeport, Ill.
Rawleigh-Schryer manufactured hopper- and tank-cooled engines until
a fire in 1916 destroyed the factory.
As for your tractor, the Pond Tractor Co., Ravenna, Ohio,
manufactured Speedex garden tractors. The S-24 appears to have been
introduced about 1966, with production lasting to perhaps
1970.-Editor
Hats Off to Hopper
I was very interested and pleased to read in your forward to the
December 2003 GEM that you are starting a section in the magazine
devoted to the building and running of scale and model gas engines.
This will fill a void left with the demise of the Strictly I.C.
magazine that was published by Robert Washburn from 1988 until
about 1997.
Hopefully, Rusty Hopper can come up with enough material for a
few pages of his own material along with contributions from us
model engine builders. I think this feature could add to the
circulation of GEM and, who knows, perhaps some day lead to you and
Rusty starting a new magazine devoted to this hobby!
I have built eight model engines so far and will send in to
Rusty what I have experienced while constructing these. Paul
Brien 4312 Lone Oak Road, Nashville, TN 37215
Pontiac Gas Engine
I was surprised and interested to see the query about the
Pontiac Engine (GEM, December 2003, page 4). I acquired one of
these in the spring of 2002. The engine didn’t have a nameplate
on it, and I didn’t have any idea of what it was until our
local engine show in August of 2002. At that time I was out of
action due to illness, so my son and son-in-law took it to the show
with the hopes of getting it identified. It turned out that an
acquaintance I have known from attending the local shows for many
years happened to have one, and he had it at the show, as well. He
identified the engine as a Pontiac – which you already know. He
also said it was supplied on an orchard sprayer manufactured by
Arlington Orchard Sprayer Co. of Arlington, Mass.
When I took my engine to the 2003 show a fellow who stopped to
look at it said he had one in running condition. Apparently, these
are not as rare as I first thought. In fact, the fellow I met at
our 2003 show spent quite a bit of time taking pictures and making
drawings to reproduce the tank for his engine. He was sure it was
original to the engine when used on the sprayer rig. It seems like
we’ll never know for sure.
I have made some inquiries, and to date have been unsuccessful
in getting any additional information on either the engine or the
sprayer company.
By the way, after loosening up a few of the parts and cleaning
out the mixer, this engine purrs like a kitten. Walter Jones 44
School St., Northboro, MA 01532
I have a Pontiac engine identical to the one owned by David
Akridge shown in the December 2003 issue of GEM. The engine is
throttle-controlled, and it also has a unique advance/retard spark
lever. Ignition is of the buzz coil, battery and spark plug
type.
The engine was used as an orchard sprayer and is coupled to a
beautiful pump, but the pump manufacturer is unknown. The pump has
two pistons 2 inches in diameter and 6 inches long. The manifold
has five, 3/4-inch brass check balls. The inlet and outlet are both
3/4-inch. If anyone has any information about this pump, please let
me know.
The pump has two pistons 2 inches in diameter and 6 inches long.
The manifold has five, inch brass check balls. The inlet and outlet
are both -inch. If anyone has any information about this pump,
please let me know. Stanley Pietryka P.O. Box 392, Bondsville,
MA 01009
Fiberglass
Regarding query 38/12/3 (GEM, December 2003, page 5)
about fiberglass in the gas tank of the Briggs & Stratton
engine on a Jari Sickle Mower: I would suggest the fiberglass was
placed in the tank to act as a baffle to keep the gas from
splashing out of the vent holes in the gas cap. Whether the
manufacturer of the mower or a subsequent user placed it there is
anyone’s guess. I have a gas-powered posthole auger I bought
new that had a rectangular block of foam rubber inside the gas tank
when I purchased it. I assumed it was placed there by the
manufacturer of the auger and not the manufacturer of the engine
(Tecumseh) to keep the gas from splashing out the vent hole in the
gas cap when using a rapid up-and-down motion to fling dirt off the
auger flighting. I’ve since replaced the gas tank with another
one that I’ve mounted to the handle bar. The original tank was
attached to the engine cowling, which kept breaking from the
jarring. The tank I’m using now has a different type vent, and
splashing gas hasn’t been a problem. Bill Sherlock Box 144,
Maymont, SK S0M 1T0, Canada
In regards to the fiberglass-stuffed gas tank, I have several
railroad lanterns that have some type of material in the fuel
tanks. I also have a shredder/chipper that has material in the
tank. I believe this is to help prevent sloshing in the tank so as
to prevent excess spillage of fuel. Gordon P. Cole gcole
173700MI@comcast.net
Send letters to: Gas Engine Magazine, 1503 S.W. 42nd St.,
Topeka, KS 66609-1265; rbackus@ogdenpubs.com
