24/8/29 FBM engine
Q. I have recently found a Fairbanks-Morse 6 HP
‘Z’ engine like that shown on page 9 of the reprinted
Catalog 80-V of Fairbanks-Morse Company. In order to restore this
engine I need to know the dimensions of the piston and rod, and
also need to find an instruction manual for same. How can I tell
whether it had coil or magneto ignition? R.N. Holden, 2844 E.
12th Ave., Apache Jct., AZ 85219.
A. Your engine is not at all uncommon, so we
would suggest that used parts might be available at an engine show,
swap meet, or from a GEM advertiser. A ‘want ad’ might get
you everything you need. Likewise, due to the popularity of these
engines, several advertisers carry reprint manuals for this engine.
All of this series used magneto ignition, and depending on how it
is configured, it may have used an American-Bosch oscillating high
tension magneto or the Fairbanks-Morse Type R rotary style.
24/8/30 Ideal Type V engine
Q. Does anyone have an engine like the Ideal
shown in the photos? Mine is missing the fuel tank, and I would
like to hear from anyone with a complete engine who could send me
the proper dimensions for the tank, etc. Any information will be
greatly appreciated.
Mike Dalpe, PO Box 4, Glen Gardner, NJ 08826.
24/8/31 10-20 Trac Tractor
From the two enclosed photos you will see that this is a 10-20
Trac Tractor which I hope to restore soon. The serial number plate
is missing, but the engine number is TT688. The main frame casting
date is 10-26-25. Of the five I know of here in New Zealand, mine
is probably the oldest. 1 would like to know about decals for this
tractor, and would appreciate any information on it as well. Mine
is a Model 20, as compared to the 10-20.
Roger Harrell, 12 Newall Ave., Nelson, New Zealand.
A. If any of our readers can be of assistance
to Mr. Harrell from faraway New Zealand, we urge you to contact
him. We are sure he will be delighted. We here at GEM are most
happy to serve as a clearinghouse and exchange of information to
collectors worldwide.
24/8/32 Ottawa Drag Saws
Q. I am restoring an Ottawa drag saw, and have
some questions regarding the mixer and fuel system. The mixer has a
brass body about 11/2 inches in diameter and
about 31/2 inches long. It screws into the
cylinder head and appears to have been connected with
1/4 inch pipe fittings. Since the mixer is
lower than the tank, it appears to me that the fuel will run out
the carburetor if I open the throttle needle valve. There are not
other parts in the carburetor as I found it. The parts list refers
to a part called ”Needle valve with Fly’ and I’m
wondering if this part is missing from my engine. Any information
will be appreciated.
Bob Learned, 1754 Curtner Ave., San Jose, CA 95124.
A. Without researching this particular
carburetor, we suspect it might be of the Lunkenheimer mixer style.
If so, a small poppet valve drops onto a seat, and in this seat is
drilled a small hole which communicates with the fuel line. The
valve is held shut by a light spring, and on the intake stroke the
valve is pulled open, permitting fuel to escape into the intake air
stream. Perhaps some Ottawa owners might be able to provide
specific information in this regard. Ye olde Reflector has never
worked on an Ottawa engine.
24/8/33 Yard Hand Tractor
Q. See the photo of a little tractor called the
Yard Hand which I recently acquired. Any information on this
tractor will be greatly appreciated.
Bernard Marvel, RR 1, Box 44, Browning, IL 62624.
24/8/34 What is it?
Hank Moore, 1025 Henry Moore Lane, Redding, CA 96003 sends along
this photo of an unidentified engine. If you have the answer, let
us know.
READERS WRITE
23/6/1 Unknown engine
Mr. Vawter’s engine is an Armstrong, as pictured on page 17
of the May 1985 GEM. Joe Prindle III, RR 1, Box 239, Grand Marsh,
WI 53936.
Calibrating Voltmeters
Some months ago a gentleman inquired about a standard to
calibrate voltmeters. A laboratory uses a standard cell, but that
would be impractical for the layman. I now believe I have an
answer, and if the gentleman would contact me, I will give him the
information. George Kadorf Sr., W9FSA, RD 3, Box 251, Lewistown, PA
17044.
24/5/32 Tractor Conversion
Trac Ford made an adaptor for the Model T, also a Staude
Mak-a-Tractor was available. There was a Pul-ford and numerous
conversions for cars other than the Ford, although it was the most
popular. Numerous readers sent letters to us in this regard.
Midwest Utilitor
Several readers sent information on these tractors, and we thank
all of you. In particular, we wish to thank Mr. Richard Durig, 1364
Eileen Drive, Xenia, OH 45385 for sending a large package of
photocopy material and historical data on this company. Mr. Durig
plans to have an in-depth article on Centaur Tractor Co. ready for
publication in GEM in the near future.
24/6/27B Unknown engine
This is a Witte Model B engine. The serial number is stamped
into the end of the crankshaft on the governor side of the engine.
Concerning a serial number listing for Maytag, there was a list of
these published in GEM three or four years ago. Richard D. Hamp,
1772 Conrad Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124.
24/5/39 Unknown engine
It is my opinion that this is a Fairbanks-Morse as used in the
Sheffield 44-B Rail Motor Car of 1930 vintage. Charles Garrett Jr.,
2660 Delaware Drive, Florissant, MO 63033.
MODEL MAKERS CORNER
MM-1
This photo shows a small hot air engine using a beer can for a
displacer cylinder, along with used parts of a shock absorber and
oil filter. Two candles furnish enough heat for it to operate.
MM-2
This is a photo of a ? 4 inch bore and 1 inch stroke
hit-and-miss engine running a 2-volt generator. It is a
‘Li’l Brother’ engine using the Paul Breisch
castings.
MM-3
Here is grandson Bret Stach on a Colt garden tractor, balancing
it on a balancing ramp. The tractor has a 9 HP Kohler engine with
hydrostatic drive.
These three photos submitted by C.W. Stach, 1818 Harrison St.,
Hutchinson, KS 67502.
MM-4
Carl Vogt sends this photo of a Fuller & Johnson Model NB
model perched atop a copy of Encyclopedia of American Gas Engines.
Only the flywheels are cast; the rest of the engine is fabricated
from brass. The ignition system and fuel tank are in the engine
base. The sole function of the magneto is to support the points and
the spark plug wire. Carl Vogt, 4210 Dempsey Road, Madison,
WI53716.
MM-5
George G. Scott, Box 272, Outlook, MT 59252 sends this photo of
his scale model IHC Mogul side shaft engine. Some time ago, George
gave us the dimensions of the engine, but these are not at hand as
we go to press. More importantly though, this looks to be a fine
model.
A CLOSING WORD
It’s always enjoyable assembling this column, but we must
confess that on a beautiful, sunny summer day, the attraction to be
outside working on an engine is almost as strong as the magnets on
a K-W magneto!
During the upcoming shows, we hope everyone has a safe and
enjoyable time, and we urge in the strongest terms that exhibitors
and show directors alike, display their very best courtesy and
common sense. Over the past quarter century the gas engine and
tractor hobby has developed to the point that occasionally even the
major news media, usually caught up in a flurry of world affairs,
takes time to notice that there are thousands of us out here, all
trying to preserve a piece of our past. The fellowship and
cooperation of the gas engine and tractor fraternity is, we
believe, one of the most unique aspects of our hobby. Using this
perspective we can use our hobby as a learning experience, a time
to make new acquaintances, and an opportunity to renew old
friendships.
The purpose of the Reflections column is to provide a forum for
the exchange of all useful information among subscribers to GEM.
Inquiries or responses should be addressed to: REFLECTIONS, Gas
Engine Magazine, P.O. Box 328, Lancaster, PA 17603.