We’ll be quite brief this issue, since we have a huge stack
of inquiries and comments to dispose of. However, by the time this
issue is in your hands, we’ll be into the month of May, and the
beginning of a few engine shows. Keep your favorite hobby enjoyable
this year don’t lift things you shouldn’t be lifting,
don’t poke your fingers in places they shouldn’t be poked,
and let fun be fun, not some disaster that requires a surgeon to
sew up body parts that normally come finely stitched by their
Maker.
Last fall we also put out a cautionary statement to our readers
regarding the unwholesome elements that sometimes appear at our
shows. Ordinarily, our bunch is among the best in the world, bar
none! Over the years we’ve seen guys leave a wrench behind and
another person would go to great lengths to see that it got back to
the rightful owner. Ye olde Reflector told you last fall about
having a nice flatbed trailer stolen. The open wound of that loss
is now healed over, but the scar tissue is still a bit tender.
It’s hard to find a positive side to that story. If there is
one, perhaps the message we’ll share with all of you is this:
Don’t be so trusting as to let high priced equipment set around
without taking some precautions. ‘If only I would have . .
.’ is a statement commonly used after one of these
episodes.
We’ll see many of you at the Waukee Swap Meet, since
we’ll be representing Stemgas Publishing once again this year.
Beyond that, our plate is full for awhile, because of the upcoming
tour to England in June and July. If you have the opportunity, stop
by and see us at Waukee … it’s always a joy to meet the
hundreds of people we see at every show!
Now it’s on to our first comment regarding the Edwards
engines:
28/6/1 Edwards Engines I would like to compile
a serial number and owner’s list on Edwards igniter engines,
and I will share the list with anyone sending information.
Armand De Young, 12300 Club Road, Cedar Rapids, IA
52404.
Since Edwards engines are quite rare, we’re not positive
whether Mr. De Young is limiting this request to the igniter style,
or whether the spark-plug models might also be included. However,
the igniter model is lots harder to find!
28/6/2 Thanks! To everyone who phoned, sent
letters and pictures regarding my query and request of 28/3/11
regarding the Carlisle & Finch engine. The responses have been
overwhelming. Harold Gaddye, RR 2, Binbrook, ONT LOR 1CO
Canada.
28/6/3 Fairbanks-Morse Q. I’m in dire need
of an owner’s manual and instructions for the F-M Model 3000
AR3 generator shown in the photos. It is s/n A-208. It is rated at
115/230 volts, 13 amps, and 60 cycles. The unit uses a twin
cylinder TE or TF Wisconsin engine made in 1953. The
Fairbanks-Morse customer service people tell me that all records of
these units were discarded some years ago. Many were used as
standby units. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Joe
Gonyo, 4 East Gate Road, Suffem, NY 10901.
28/6/4 Economy Engine Q. I recently acquired an
Economy engine, 1 HP, s/n 34084. In looking through American Gas
Engines I notice that the smallest size listed is a 1 horsepower.
Can anyone explain the change in horsepower rating, even though
both have a 3 x5 inch bore and stroke!
On another subject, I have an old drag saw with a Witherbee
magneto. Is this a forerunner of the Wico magneto? Bruce
Heppler, Box 523, Covelo, CA 95428.
A. The best source of information on the
Hercules and Economy engines is a history book compiled by Glenn
Karch. It is advertised elsewhere in GEM.
Witherbee Igniter Company was indeed the forerunner of WICO, and
the latter is indeed an acronym of the full Witherbee name.
28/6/5 IH Cub Lo-Boy Q. See the photo of a 1958
Cub Lo-Boy tractor. I would like to hear from someone with further
information, manuals, a source for decals, etc. concerning this
tractor. James Vanaman Jr., 677 Salem-Quinton Rd., Salem, NJ
08079.
A. Mr. Vanaman’s letter posed a number of
technical questions that would best be answered by appropriate
manuals. We have little information on this particular model, so if
any of our readers can direct Mr. Vanaman in regards to this
tractor, we will appreciate it.
28/6/6 Domestic Engines Q. Jerry Rogers Sr.,
105 Schoolhouse Rd., Martinsburg, WV 25401 would like to know
whether the 1 HP Domestic Stove-pipe Junior engine is a very rare
model. Can anyone respond in this regard?
28/6/7 Writing Articles Quite often we hear
from readers wanting to know how they might go about submitting an
article to GEM. In this connection, there seems to be an idea that
the writer has to pay GEM for writing an article! That’s not
the case! We’re always happy to hear from our readers, and
we’re always glad to get new articles for the magazine. If
you’d like to prepare an article, GEM has a little
‘Guidelines’ sheet that they’ll be happy to send you.
It suggests ways of preparing your story, the photos needed, and
the like. So, don’t hesitate to send in your articles, they are
always appreciated.
28/6/8 Dow Engines Recently I came across a
builder’s photo of a Dow engine. It is listed in American Gas
Engines, but there is no picture or history. It is a hefty looking
engine. Each cylinder has a lockout lever on the left-side cam. The
middle cylinder has four cams, while the other two have three each.
Francis A. Orr, 1617-32nd St., Anacortes, WA 98221.
We’ve never found anything on the Dow, but if memory
serves correctly, it originated in England.
28/6/9 Cushman Golfster Q. I would like to know
the address of the Cushman Club of America. I purchased ‘A
History of Cushman Motor Works’ by Bill Sumerville, but was
disappointed that there was no address for which to contact either
the author or the club. I have two golfsters, and submit a photo of
one with my two grandsons aboard. Larry Arsenault, 21 Wescomb
Crescent, Charlottetown, PEI C1C 1B6 Canada.
A. Can anyone be of help regarding this
query?
28/6/10 Wards Twin Row Tractor Q. MY elderly
father-in-law has a restored Wards Twin Row tractor. One of the
original knobby tires has ruptured at the side wall. We are looking
for a way to resolve the problem, such as finding a used tire of
the same make, finding a place to repair it or finding a source for
a replacement of the same design. The tire is a 7.5/9.0 x 24, 4-ply
Wards Riverside, Super Power Grip Tractor Tire. The fabric appears
to be severely weakened from having had a solution inside at one
time. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Roger L. Brauer,
602 W. Austin St., Tolono, IL 61880.
A. Can anyone be of help to Mr. Brauer?
28/6/11 Maytag Multi-Motor Washer See the photo
of a recently restored Maytag Model 44 Multi-Motor Washer. This
restoration would have been virtually impossible had it not been
for the over-whelming response from GEM readers, per my request for
help in the February issue. From all the information I received,
this 1921 Maytag has been restored to as nearly original condition
as is possible, and would still do a day’s work if necessary.
Thanks to every reader and collector who contributed their time and
talent which enabled me to preserve this piece of history for
others to enjoy. Rod Albright, 2194 Log Cabin Rd., York, PA
17404.
28/6/12 Alamo Blue Line Q. I need some help
restoring a 2 HP Alamo Blue Line engine. The magneto and bracket
are missing. Can anyone advise the proper number or provide a photo
or other information so that I know what to look for? Any help will
be appreciated. J. C. Blauvelt, 45 Chase Road, Wallkill, NY
12589.
A. We edited Mr. Blauvelt’s letter to
perhaps reflect his query a little better. If anyone can advise
regarding this engine, please do so.
28/6/13 Buckeye Ditcher Q. See a photo of a
Buckeye Traction Ditcher on display at the Ontario Agricultural
Museum near Milton, Ontario. It is powered by a 12 horsepower
gasoline engine made by the same company in Findlay, Ohio. The
engine is a hit-and-miss with a Witherbee high-tension oscillating
magneto. This machine spent its working years near Fergus, Ontario,
north of Guelph. It is in rough, but restorable condition, and
resembles a ditcher that was demonstrated at the Canadian National
Exhibition in 1918. John J. Henderson, RR 2, Rockwood, ONT NOB
2K0 Canada.
28/6/14 Caille Liberty Q. See photos of an
outboard motor I recently acquired. I would appreciate any
information as to what I have, or parts and literature for same.
Beside what is stamped on the wheel, it has an American Bosch
magneto. Any information will be appreciated. Watson
Wordsworth, 345 Boston Hill Rd., Andover, CT 06232.
A. All of our information has it that the
Caille Liberty is a scarce little engine; perhaps that’s the
reason we have nothing on the Liberty in our files. Can anyone
provide further information?
28/6/15 Fuel Pump Diaphragms Antique Auto Parts
Cellar, PO Box 3, South Weymouth, MA 02190 ad vises in response to
an earlier query that they only sell fuel pump kits, and have gone
to the trouble of making dies to cut the material for over 250
different kinds of pumps. Ordinarily, we would run this in the
Classifieds, but since this firm was mentioned in a recent issue as
a supplier, we thought it proper that our readers know just what it
is that these folks are supplying. Further information regarding
fuel pump kits and other items can be had by addressing this
firm.
28/6/16 Leader Engine Marc Krol, 10805
Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 needs information
regarding a Leader engine built by Field Force Pump Company,
Elmira, New York. It is a 2 HP hit-and-miss model. If you can be of
help, kindly contact Mr. Krol at the above address.
28/6/17 A Romanian Exhumation Thanks to Don
Siefker, 705 W. Annie Drive, Muncie, IN 47303-9762 for sending us
the following information, a summation of which follows:
Apparently, a Romanian peasant is now convinced that communism is
gone, so he unearthed his Lanz tractor. Back in the 1950s he buried
it to keep Communist officials from confiscating it, telling them
that it had been destroyed. The tractor was buried in 1955.
28/6/18 Unitractor Q. I have acquired a
Unitractor one-wheel garden tractor with a 1 or 2 HP Briggs engine.
The drive system is gone, as is the clutch and throttle control.
Does anyone have details of this machine? Any help will be greatly
appreciated. See the photos. Larry B. Clark, RD 2, Box 920,
Middle-bury, VT 05753.