Reflections

By Staff
Published on August 1, 1989
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Ye olde Reflector has no new and dramatic developments to
announce this month. In late May, we made our annual trek to the
Central Hawkeye Swap Meet at Waukee, Iowa. As in years past, acres
and acres of engines, tractors, parts, and who knows what else,
covered the area. Of course this event was also an ideal time to
meet old friends and talk about the summer’s revival of engine
shows after the winter hibernation period.

We hope no one feels slighted by our comments on the Waukee
event-it’s just that for ye olde Reflector, this is a
three-hour trip from home, and with a limited schedule of time,
we’re seldom able to attend other events at a greater
distance.

As we write this column in early June, we feel compelled to
report that as of this time, our attempts to secure anything in the
way of photographs or historical data regarding the J.I. Case
Company have met with partial success. We reported earlier that we
are in the midst of compiling a comprehensive history of J. I. Case
products. Thus far, we have enlisted the aid of the two J.I. Case
collector clubs, along with the assistance of several other
individuals. Should you have any Case materials, photos, or other
data that would be of help, kindly drop us a line. At this point,
one of the critical needs is for the use of a copy of
Holbrook’s Machines of Plenty which Case commissioned a number
of years ago. Also needed is data and illustrations of acquired
companies such as Osborne, Emerson-Brantingham, Geiser, Reeves,
Rock Island Plow Company, American Tractor Corporation, and
others.

Also regarding Case, we once read that they acquired Troy Wagon
Company and used their large dirt haulers and other equipment as
part of the Road Machinery Line. We also know that Case acquired
Fish Bros. Wagon Company and the Mitchell-Lewis Wagon Company. Can
anyone supply anything on these areas? If so, send a line to the
Reflector, c/o Gas Engine Magazine.

A footnote. While at Waukee, we happened across a copy of a
Nelson Bros. Jumbo Line Instructions and Parts Manual. We’ve
already talked to the folks at Stemgas, and as soon as their
publishing schedule permits, a reprint of this little book will be
available. Quite a number of folks have asked about something like
this, but for us, this is the first time we have found anything
relating to the Jumbo Line.

Have a safe and enjoyable time with your engines and tractors
this summer! Our first question is:

24/8/1 Massey-Harris engine

Q.Dick Brown, RR 2, Box 362,
Gilbertsville, KY 42044
writes: I have some questions
regarding my 21/2 HP M-H engine. It uses a Webster magneto. What is
the proper color? Are these engines considered rare? Is there
anyone reproducing parts or manuals on these engines? I would
certainly like to correspond with other M-H engine owners!

A. Although we aren’t sure of a precise
color match for the M-H engines, we are sure in telling you that
these engines are quite scarce indeed, and always seem to command a
substantial price whenever one comes up for sale.

24/8/2 Utilitor

See the below photos (24/8/2A and 2B) of my Utilitor garden
tractor. I’m not sure of the correct color, but by what was on
the tractor when I bought it, it seems to be close to Caterpillar
yellow, John Deere green flywheels, and black handle bars. It is
s/n 12 54. The extra wheels are the same except the lugs are much
longer. Since I did not get any tools with the tractor, I would
appreciate hearing from anyone having same, and who could give me
some dimensions so I could make some tools to fit it. The points in
the magneto were gone, so I made some, but they do not work very
good.

Boyd Young, RR 1, Box 30, McCool Junction, NE 68401.

(Editor’s note: See our article on the Utilitor in the July
1989 issue.)

24/8/3 Wagon Jack

Q.Jack Harrell, 525-200 N, Huntington, ID
46783
sends a photo of a very old wagon jack dated 1798. It is
made of wood and forged iron, and has been handed down in the
family for years. Are there any older ones around?

A. Since wagons required regular applications
of axle grease to the hubs and skeins, a wagon jack was nearly as
important as the end gate. We’ve seen quite a few of these over
the years, and as many of you know, they were made in all shapes
and descriptions. However, we never have seen one like this!

24/8/4 Engine and Tractor Problems

Q. I have an IHC LBB engine, 3-5 HP. When I
started it the first time, it soon stopped. I discovered a bursted
head, and water was getting into the combustion chamber. After
another head was installed, I then found water in the crankcase.
Can water get into the crank-case if there is no crack in the
cylinder casting part of the block assembly?

Also I have a 1935 Farmall F-12 tractor. Originally, the first
two cylinders were stuck, and rusted solid. After new sleeves,
pistons, etc., it ran good, but eventually I noticed that I was
losing radiator water. Water was not getting into the crankcase, so
1 thought it was getting into the cylinders. After sitting for a
few months, it was stuck again, and No. 1 and No. 2 pistons were
rusted. After refacing the head and reassembling it, we discovered
water in all four cylinders. Why is this happening? J. H.
Tucker, RR 2, Box 44, McComb, MS 39648.

A. Regarding the LLB engine, we suspect that
the first place to look is at the head gasket. From the symptoms
you present, it seems entirely possible that water is getting into
the passage which carries the throttle rod and is making its way
back to the crankcase. A new head gasket will probably be
needed.

The F-12 seems to be displaying similar problems, especially
since the water is ending up inside the cylinders. This would
indicate to us that the leakage is more than likely coming from the
top side, and probably from the head gasket joint. Again, we would
suspect the head gasket. If the head was resurfaced by people who
know the business, it should be okay. Oftentimes, leakages like
this can be detected by a minute examination of the head, gasket,
and block on disassembly.

24/8/5 Friend engine

Q. Can someone explain to me how the ignition
system works on a Friend engine? There is no magneto or brackets,
so did it use a Model T coil? Any information on this problem will
be appreciated. Mike Johnson, 631 Bear Tavern Road, W. Trenton,
NJ 08628.

A. If anyone can assist Mr. Johnson, please
drop him a line.

24/8/6 Baker Test Fans

Q. We have a Baker fan at our local fair.
Although we have the rpm figures for all these tractors, wedo not
know how to convert this information into the horsepower output.
Would appreciate hearing from anyone who can help. Henry
Feenstra, RR 3, Chatsworth, Ontario N0H 1G0 Canada.

A. Our memory bank tells us that several years
ago, we saw a chart in one of the engine magazines, perhaps Iron
Men Album. This chart gave the approximate horsepower output for
various fan speeds. However, we do not believe that an accurate
readout is possible on the fan-this can be better supplied by a
Prony brake or an electric dynamometer. The Baker fan was actually
devised as a simple means of working an engine up to its capacity,
regardless of the size of the engine. Since it is impossible to
turn the fan up to the speed of cavitation, its capacity is
governed primarily by its ability to withstand the load which is
delivered to it.

24/8/7 From the Netherlands

Q. My favorite hobby is to collect information
on old tractors. I have received a lot of instructions and
maintenance books about German tractors, and have some books about
tractors. A lot of the details I have put on a computer program,
dBase III+. If anyone can help me with my hobby here in Holland, I
would like to hear from them, as I have doubles of many titles.
Bruce Dryver, Bosmanstraat 3, 7833 KT Niew-Amsterdam,
Netherlands.

A. We encourage anyone interested in exchanging information with
this gentleman to drop him a line.

24/8/8 Capital engine

Q. See the below photos of a Capital engine
built by Dissinger at Wrightsville, Pa. It has a 41/4 x 5 inch bore
and stroke, and is over 70 years old. I was told by my father that
it upset one time and broke one flywheel, so the pulley side wheel
is not original. Can anyone supply any information on this engine,
including its approximate value?

John J. Schauren, 206 S. 8th St., Columbia, PA 17512.

A. If anyone can be of help, contact Mr.
Schauren.

24/8/9 What is it?

Q. See the photo of an unidentified machine.
Any help will be appreciated.

A.D. Endecott, PO Box 112, Vaughan, NC 27586.

A. This appears to be what is left of an old
steam hoisting engine. The piston valves and the valve rods are
obvious, but the eccentrics and linkage are obviously gone. Also,
it is obvious that ball bearing pillow blocks have been substituted
for the original babbitt style, and it appears that the crankshaft
has been shortened somewhat.

24/8/10 Milwaukee Engine

Q. I have a Milwaukee engine, s/n 333195, made
by Associated. It is 13/4 HP, and looks like
the ‘Johnny Boy’ on page 35 of American Gas Engines. The
tag reads: The Milwaukee; P.T. Lesare Ltd., Quebec, Montreal,
Canada. Any information on this engine will be much appreciated.
Donald J. Quintal, 1147 W. Lowell Ave., Haverhill, MA
01832.

A. Did Associated build the engine, or is this
another of the ‘renegade’ engines-those which were
out-and-out copies of U.S.-built models, but cast and machined in
Canadian shops? There is no question that some of this activity
occurred, but we have never located evidence to indicate whether
this was done as a freelance project on the part of a Canadian
manufacturer, or whether in fact it had the blessing and backing of
an American builder, with the hidden agenda of avoiding the import
duties. Can anyone elaborate on this?

24/8/11 Unidentified Foreign Objects

Q. While restoring a Fairbanks-Morse engine, I
found that the lower part of the jacket was completely clogged.
Eventually I dug out 25 cast pieces like those shown in the photo.
Can you tell me what these objects might be?

Ken Evans, 130 Malcolm Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105.

A. These are some of the cast ‘stars’
used in rattling the core sand out of the completed casting.
Occasionally one can be found in a cylinder head or in a narrowed
area of the jacket, but your case is unusual in that so very many
were left behind. The stars were very effective in dislodging
particles of sand from the interior areas of the casting, often by
the use of a tumbling barrel or perhaps some specialized shakeout
device.

24/8/12 Massey-Harris

Q. Can someone supply the proper paint colors
for a Massey-Harris Pony tractor? What is the manufacturing date
for this unit, s/n PGS-3572?

Stanley Boltz, Route 1, Box 31, Monticello, MO
63457.

A. We have DuPont Stock No. 77932, Chip No. 31
listed as the proper shade of red, and Stock No. 29440 listed as
the proper shade of yellow. Although we have the Model 11 Pony as
being built from 1947-57, we have no serial number listing for this
style.

24/8/13 LeSueur Swap Meet

Just a few lines to let you know we went down to LeCenter,
Minnesota for their 12th Annual Swap Meet and Flea Market. We were
amazed at the number of old engines, magnetos, and parts. It is a
dream land for anyone looking for engine parts. It was a bit muddy,
but not really bad. Andy Szurek, 2809 Silver Lane NE, Minneapolis,
MN 55421.

24/8/14 A substitute for regular gasoline?

Q. Since high octane leaded gasoline is
disappearing from the market, are there any additives that might be
used in old engines?

Harley L. Collins, 2540 Fox Road, Bath, PA 18014.

A. So far as old gas engines are concerned,
we’re not sure that high-test leaded fuels are necessary,
especially when it is considered that when most of these engines
were built, white gas was the only thing on the market. The
tetraethyl lead was an anti-knock ingredient required when smaller,
high-speed, high-compression engines came along. There may be some
additives on the market, and if someone can make some
recommendations, please let us know.

24/8/15 Shaw Du-All tractor

Q. I recently acquired a Model 12 Du-All, Model
12 1/2, s/n B1496 with a Western engine. The
rear wheels have 4 large spokes. Can anyone give me the proper
color and approximate year built? Also need a manual and some
parts.

Alvin Deutsch, 615 Crestwood Dr., Evansville, IN 47715.

24/8/16 IHC Mogul engine

Q. What is the year built of an IHC Mogul 1 HP
engine, s/n W18031? The engine is complete except for the governor
shoe and the exhaust pushrod. Given the dimensions, I am confident
I could make the required parts. Will the governor shoe from an
ignitor style IHC Type M work in place of the original? Joe
Prindle III, RR 1, Box 239, Grand Marsh, WI 53936.

A. Your engine was built in 1917. If anyone can
supply Mr. Prindle with the needed dimensions, kindly get in touch
with him.

24/8/17 E-B horse-drawn disc

Q. We recently acquired a 2-furrow horsedrawn
disc built by Emerson-Brantingham of Rockford, Illinois. They
apparently began building tillage equipment in 1895, continuing
until purchased by J.I. Case in 1928. However, we have no specific
information on this machine, so we would appreciate hearing’
from anyone who might be able to supply literature or other
specifics.

 Peter M. Ledwith, Curator of Collections, Ontario
Agricultural Museum, PO Box 38, Milton, Ontario L9T 2Y3 Canada.

A. If you can supply anything to Mr. Ledwith,
we are sure it will be appreciated.

24/8/18 Rock Island engine

Q. See the photo which shows a small metal yoke
directly beneath the setscrew in the piston pin boss. What is its
purpose? I would also like to know the age of the engine-it carries
the number A62948.

Telford G. Winger, 1002 Mechanic St., Decorah, IA 52101.

A. We believe this to be a locking device for
the piston pin setscrew. Oftentimes this setscrew was drilled to
accommodate a wire, and in this case, we suspect the wire went
through the setscrew and around the protruding boss. There are no
known serial number lists for the Rock Island engines.

24/8/19 Paint colors

Q. I have DuPont Dulux 93-5378-H green listed
as the proper color for the Worthington engines, and 93-066-H red
or Centari 5027 as the correct colors for the Galloway. Do you have
some updated numbers for these, especially the Worthington? What is
the correct color for the Aultman-Taylor 30-60 tractor? Also I am
looking for information on the John Deere 10-bottom prairie plow.
Carl J. Scharrer, RR3, Aitkin, MN 56431.

A. So far as we know, these colors should be
available from DuPont dealers. We have no information at hand on
the proper match for the Aultman-Taylor.

24/8/20 Hercules diesel engines

Q. Does anyone have any information on a 9 HP
Hercules diesel engine made at Evansville, Indiana? Roy E.
Raudabaugh, Star Route, Box 164, Bens Run, WV 26135.

A. These engines should be virtually identical
to the Thermoil sold by Sears, but also built by Hercules. Thus, if
anyone has information on either style, perhaps it would be of help
to this gentleman. The Reflector can vouch for the fact that if
this is one’s first venture into engines of this variety, some
instructions information is very helpful.

24/8/21 Hot tube ignition

Q. I have several engines in my shop now with
hot tube ignition. Are there any books with information about
operation of this system? Any help will be appreciated. Glenn
A. Radaker, RD 1, Knox, PA 16232.

A. There have been some articles in GEM over
the years, but a search of their indexes doesn’t point
specifically to any articles in this regard. Basically speaking,
the burner heats the tube to incandescence, and the time of
ignition is altered by moving the flame farther out on the tube to
retard ignition, or moving it closer to its connection with the
cylinder to advance the timing. Hot tubes often blew out, since the
heated tube was greatly weakened in its red-hot state. Lots of
materials have been tried, but all in all, good old black iron pipe
is still about as good as anything. The matter of timing is largely
guesswork, and is subject to variables such as the intensity and
shape of the flame, ambient temperature, and other problems.
Perhaps some of our readers have some specific information to
contribute regarding their own experiences with hot tube
ignition.

24/8/22 Fairbanks-Morse Eclipse

Q. I have a FBM No. 1 Eclipse (as cast into the
cylinder), with s/n A43604. Yet, it has all the appearances of a
No. 2. It has two identical flywheels, and a 3 inch bore, and is
like the engine shown on page 164 of American Gas Engines. Can you
tell me the year built, and why it has the configuration of a No.
2. Also I would like to hear from anyone having operating or parts
information on this engine. Norman Rodgers, 10823 40th Ave.,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

A. Your engine was probably built in 1920. We
can’t tell you why it has been modified, and of course, there
is the possibility that this might have been done in the field many
years ago.

24/8/23 Dazzle Patch

Q. See the photos of a Dazzle Patch engine
distributed by M. W. Savage Factories at Minneapolis. Any
information on this engine will be greatly appreciated.

Del Thibaut, 2118 Beloit, Billings, MT 59102.

A. This is the first time we’ve seen a
Dazzle Patch engine. Savage was merely a distributor, and over the
years they appear to have handled numerous makes and models,
affixing their own nameplate in each instance. If anyone can supply
additional information on this engine, we would be glad to hear
about it.

24/8/24 Stewart Little Major

Thanks to Dennis Silva, 89 Arrowhead Drive, Griswold, CT 06351
for sending along a photocopy of this peculiar little engine from
Chicago Flexible Shaft Company. This particular model uses a
4-spoke flywheel, is rated at ? HP, and uses a 2?  2? inch
bore and stroke. It could be also equipped with a sheep shearing
outfit. If anyone has a Little Major, we would be happy to include
a photo of it in a future issue.

24/8/25 Domestic engine

Q. See the 6 HP Domestic engine, s/n 21818 in
the accompanying photo. I would like to know the color and the year
built. It has a spark plug on both sides of the block. What type of
ignition was used? Any information will be appreciated.

Lester Hoover, 1364 Esterbrook Rd., Ponchatoula, LA 70454.

A. Would those of you familiar with the
Domestic line lend a hand here?

24/8/26 Maytag

Thanks to Harlyn Hoppes, 5 Maple St., Jeffersonville, OH 43128
for sending along a listing of Maytag serial numbers.

24/8/27 Service Information

By supplying the model number and serial number information, one
can often learn more about their old engines and tractors. Here are
addresses for the following:

John Deere-Deere & Company, John Deere Road, Moline, IL
61265, Attn: Company Archives; Briggs & Stratton-Briggs &
Stratton Corporation, PO Box 702, Milwaukee, WI 53201, Attn:
Service Department; Maytag-The Maytag Company, Service Department,
Newton, IA 50208.

Thanks to Ron Olson, 4241 Nancy Place, Shoreview, MN 55126 for
sending along this information.

24/8/28 Mar-Tan Mfg. Co.

Q. See the two photos of a peculiar machine
made by Mar-Tan Mfg. Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There appears
to be nothing missing, but we haven’t found out so far what the
engine was intended for.

Billy Thurman, 4016 Rex Road, Rex, GA 30273.

A. We believe this to have been a vibrator or
compactor, but the off-balance element has probably been removed.
In operation, we would bet that it shook like crazy! We also
suspect that when the thing was vibrating (and in fact, probably
dancing up and down like it was afflicted with a rare disease) it
was then reasonably easy to coax it forward or back during those
periods when it was airborne! It must have been a thrill to operate
this outfit!

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