Reflections

The other day we visited with Bill Starkey over at Star bolt
Engine Supplies. Many of you have met Bill, and as you all know, he
is intensely interested in our hobby. Our visit touched on many
points, but one stands out-the problems of paint colors.

We probably get more requests for correct color schemes than on
any other point. Now you are probably wondering where all this is
going. Well, we’ll tell you. Just by coincidence, we have been
corresponding with Alden Wolters at Phillipsburg, Kansas. Alden has
been in the paint business for years, and also shares a love of old
engines. He also shares many of the same ideas as Bill Starkey and
ye olde Reflector regarding the exact color shades for a certain
engine. We quote herewith some of Alden’s comments:

‘Cross references between paint manufacturers are almost
impossible to find….The first thing a person must remember and
keep in mind when they want to paint something is this-Paint
standards of 50 or more years ago were not nearly so critical as
they are today…In nearly all cases, today’s color numbers are
referred to as an approximate match. Even in the auto refinish
business of today, it is not uncommon for the body shop to have to
rely on many years of everyday experience to get the match they
want, even though the vehicle might be only a couple of years old.
Sometimes a little tinting is required, and this requires
experience.’

Now before anyone gets busy with the pen or the phone to Alden,
please bear in mind that we quote him because that is exactly our
own point, and has been for some time now. So if you disagree with
the above statement, kindly direct your replies to the Reflector.
We only quote Mr. Wolters because he states our case very well. In
other words, it is doubtful for many engines and tractors that
their exact shade remained constant from year to year. We know this
to be so with the Stover engine line, since some are a very deep
Brewster green that is tinted with black and brown. Other Stover
engines are a very light green that falls somewhere between John
Deere Green and Oliver Green. We take the liberty of quoting Bill
Starkey in this regard. He says, ‘My advice is to get the color
as close as possible to the original and go with what you can
find.’ With the conversion to acrylic enamels, the old DuPont
Dulux numbers are fast approaching obsolescence. Therefore, we list
below the following known conversions to DuPont Centari numbers. We
understand that most paint dealers can also convert these numbers
to PPG Ditzler numbers. One rule applies for converting Dulux to
Centari numbers. Just drop the prefix from the Dulux number and you
have the Centari number. For instance, Dulux 93-57704 gray becomes
57704-A in Centari. Here are the numbers we have so far:

(There are at least two kinds of IHC Red. Most dealers have the
lighter shade currently used, but we have not located the number
for the darker shade used on Famous engines etc.)

We just got a copy of some PPG Ditzler colors. We do not have
the color chips yet, so we’re not at all sure if they will fit
into your notions of the proper colors. At least they will give you
a starting point.

Ditzler colors are offered in a variety of vehicles, including
acrylic, lacquer, and epoxy. Not all colors may be avail’ able
in all finishes, so check with your local dealer for specific
information.

During the next few months we will be compiling a little vest
pocket book. It will include the handy-dandy information so much in
demand, including paint colors. We know that a lot of you folks
have the paint numbers for a lot of engines and tractors not listed
above. How about sharing this information with our readers while at
the same time establishing some sort of color reference? Our data
book will also include engine and tractor serial numbers wherever
we can. Outside of the usual serial number lists, we recently came
across some Silver King serial numbers. Is there anything out there
that we might add? This might include names like Co-op, Cockshutt,
and some of the smaller tractor companies. A final note. Send us
your paint colors regardless of . the manufacturer. We don’t
care whether it comes from DuPont, Ditzler, N APA, or even Uncle
Joe’s Paint Company. If you do not have a number, then paint a
sample on a piece of cardboard, let it dry, and send us the sample.
From the above list, it is obvious that we have a long way to
go.

The annual Farm Progress Show was held here at Iowa’s Amana
Colonies late in September. Numerous exhibitors showcased some
vintage tractors. The Case-IH display was graced with some very
nice early Case and IH tractors, while Goodyear featured an
extensive display that even included an Oliver 80 Diesel. In
visiting with the Goodyear people we learned that they presently
make some of those hard-to-find tire sizes used on early tractors.
They also might be pulling out some old tire molds of other special
sizes. If there are some tire sizes and/or styles you would like to
see back on the market, list your preferences and send this
information to:

Dave Clawson, Marketing Manager, Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company 1144 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44316-0001, Many of our
collectors would like to restore their tractors to original specs,
but cannot find the tire size or tread style they need. Perhaps
this approach might be of help. Your letter will be most helpful if
you simply list the sizes and/or tread styles you would like to see
available again. They will computerize the requests and go from
there. Now to the first question:

25/12/1 Unidentified Engine Q. I have an engine
bearing a resemblance to Associated or United, but it has no
identifying marks other than part numbers. The main bearing caps
are DDX, the hopper is DDC, and the base is DDB. Any information
will be appreciated. Charles Balyeat, Balyeat Auto Supply/Carquest,
Mathis, TX 78368.

A. From the numbers you list above, we would
guess that your engine was built by Associated, although it may
have been sold by United, or perhaps some other company. A
photograph would be most helpful for identification purposes. Ye
olde Reflector picked up a decent Polaroid camera at a ‘hock
shop’ for $10. It has proven to be very helpful. The newer ones
don’t require any batteries-all this is built right into the
film pack.

25/12/2 Sattley Engine Q. See the photo and two
sketches of a Sattley engine. What shade of green was used? What
decal was used? (See the sketch for its approximate size.) On the
front face is a stenciled deed with the patent date, as per the
sketch. Can anyone identify the exact wording, since I do not have
enough remaining to tell. Any information will be greatly
appreciated. George H. Griffith, RR J, Box 241 A, Genoa, IL
60135.

A. See the paint list above regarding colors.
None of our Sattley catalogs illustrate this engine style, so
perhaps some of our readers can help.

25/12/3 Red-E-Tractor Ralph Hendrickson, Box
55, Nineveh, NY 13813 sends two photos of a Red-E-Power Cultivator,
Model 11B, 4 horsepower. On the side of the engine is an aluminum
plate reading: Gladden Power Products Corp., Glen-dale 4,
California. The serial number is illegible. He would appreciate any
further information on this unit.

25/12/4 OMC Tractor Thanks to Mr. V. Kornmeyer,
Box 153, Lucas, KS 67648 for sending the following letter and
photos:

‘I came across this tractor this past summer at a local
show. It is the OMC tractor, built in Salina, Kansas. F.A.
Ostenburg built his first tractor in 1938, and began production in
1939. About 12 tractors were made between 1939 and 1941- Production
ended during the War, and resumed in 1945. It continued until the
shop burned in 1954- During the second run, about fifty were built.
The first group was built with a Chrysler engine and 4-speed
transmission; the second group used a larger Chrysler and a 5-speed
gear box. A Timken rear end was used, the same as in the Wards
tractor and the first John Deere SP combines, the small ones with
the 9 x 24 dual tires.

‘The above information was provided by Wayne Whitely of
Abilene, Kansas who owns this tractor. The Salina Journal of
January 18, 1939 had a write up on the first of these tractors,
noting that the first one was finished on December 24, 1938. It had
a rating of about 12 drawbar horsepower, and a maximum road speed
of 35 mph.’

25/12/5 LeRoi Engine Q. I have a LeRoi engine,
Model RH-2, s/n 98265. It has a 31/8 x 4? inch bore and stroke.
What is the horsepower, year made, and correct color? Also what is
the correct magneto? Any information, contact Francis Kurds, 618
Anderson Rd., Niks, MI 49120.

25/12/6 IHC Famous Q. What is the year built of
an IHC Famous s/n B2323E? See the photo. Ron Larson, 22251
Pillsbury Ave., Lakeville, MN 55044.

A. See the May, 1985 GEM for a complete
listing.

25/12/7 Field Force Pump Co. Regarding my
article in the May, 1990 GEM, I am still looking to hear from
anyone on the Leader engines made by this company. Send me the
numbers so that I can continue compiling them! I am also looking
for information on the Friend engines made by Friend Mfg. Co.,
Gasport, New York and Myrick Machine Company, Olean, New York.
Thanks for your help. Brian M. Lynch, RD 2, Box 134, Genesee, PA
16923.

25/12/8 Neward Engine Q. Having recently
acquired a Neward engine, I need to know the proper color scheme.
Also, there is the remains of a decal. Is it best to find someone
who does silkscreen or a good sign painter? The number is B1644,
but there is no nameplate or HP rating. The engine has a 4? x 6
inch bore and stroke. Any information at all will be greatly
appreciated. Marvin L. Proctor, 1326 East Third, Pratt, KS
67124.

A. While we can’t tell you much about the
Neward engine except that it was sold by Montgomery-Ward, we can
tell you that the problem of replacing the insignia is oftentimes
very difficult. Many of the complicated decals (the Case Eagle is
typical) were printed by offset press due to the number of colors
involved, and in keeping all this in register. Thus, for a single
pair of decals, a good artist might be the better way. Regardless
of the method, we would suggest making several good color photos,
plus some tracings before obliterating what is left. An artist is
able to fill in the missing parts and you end up with a good
representation of the original. This can get expensive, but making
all the color separations for a silk screen decal doesn’t come
cheap either.

25/12/9 New Idea Engine Q. See the photo of a
New Idea No. 2 Vari-Speed engine, s/n 2649. Can anyone tell the
year built, and the correct magneto? Any information on this engine
will be greatly appreciated, especially since I am new at restoring
engines. R.M. Ackley, 322 Mansfield St., Chippewa Falls, WI
54729.

A. So far as we know the New Idea engine
records are lost, but we would guess your engine was built in the
mid-1930’s. Perhaps a New Idea owner can tell you the make and
model of the magneto used, since we have no application data
showing it.

25/12/10 FBM Engine Q. See the photo of a
Fairbanks-Morse Model IB-7 air-cooled engine. It was built for FBM
by D.W. Onan & Son at Minneapolis. Any information will be
appreciated in this regard. George Scharenberg, PO Box 34, Neosho
Rapids, KS 66864.

A. Your engine is approximately of World War
Two vintage. Apparently Onan built some engines specifically for
FBM, as we have seen a couple like the one in your photo, and have
also seen a two-cylinder opposed, air-cooled style, again built by
Onan. We’re going to be doing some further research with FBM,
but so far we have not been able to determine a precise time frame
or the extent of production for these engines.

25/12/11 Stover Engine Q. Recently I acquired a
1922 Stover 8 HP engine, s/n XI48245. It looks exactly like the 10,
12, and 15 HP engines on pages 40 and 41 of your Stover book. It
does not look at all like the 8 HP KD on top of page 40. What does
the X preceding the serial number mean? Are there any drawings
available for this engine? Michael Unwin, RR 1, Zephyr, Ont., L0E
1T0 Canada.

A. The ‘X’ prefix is a style designator
used by Stover for this particular engine. For example, the 2 HP
vertical carried a YA prefix, and in the K-Series engines, the 10
HP model was given a KH designator. Your engine was later re-rated
to 10 HP. Stover initially underrated their engines, and sometimes
when they were rated upward the only change was on the nameplate.
In other cases they speeded the engine up another 50 revs and ended
up with a new horsepower rating.

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