Reflections

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23/2/21 Q. The engine shown in the photo with
this caption number has ‘Sept 1, 1924’ and ‘GN
2965’ cast into the main base. The engine was used by the
railroad to fill water tanks. It weighs 3600 pounds. Would
appreciate any information on this engine, especially the model,
horsepower, starting and adjustments. Myrl Miller, RR 2, Box
A69, Odessa, WA 99159.

A. Although it is difficult to tell for sure, we suspect your
engine is an old Type N Fairbanks-Morse model- this despite the
1924 casting date. The round connecting rod, and exceptionally long
crank throw support our contention, and the main bearing caps
appear to be of Type N heritage. Perhaps someone can verify our
contention on the basis of the casting part number furnished by Mr.
Miller.

23/2/22 B. A. Braude, RD 4, Box 232, Johnstown,
PA 15905 would like to hear from someone regarding color scheme
etc. on a Cushman Bean Special Cub, Model R30B, 4 hp, s/n
A24533.

23/2/23 Bob Stapleton, HCR 521-9325 Chickasaw,
Lucerne Valley, CA 92356 writes: I don’t find the ‘Gas
Engine Guide’ published by GEM to be very useful. What I need
is a manual that shows how to start, tune, time and operate
hit-and-miss engines.

A. Although we have a good idea of what you are
looking for, we don’t know of any such thing around. However,
some of the reprinted engine instruction manuals are quite helpful,
and since much of the information is the same from one engine to
the next, we suggest this avenue of pursuit. For instance, a number
of reprints are available on Fairbanks-Morse, Stover, or 1HC
engines. All contain at least some of the information you seek.

23/2/24 Q. Can someone advise whether the book,
The Bessemer Engine by Bert Hines is still available? It was
reviewed in the March/April, 1979 GEM. Any information will be
appreciated. Franklin L. Roof Jr., State Rt. 68 South, Kenton, OH
43326.

23/2/25 Thanks to Philip C. Whitney, 303 Fisher
Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420 for sending us some photocopy data on the
Panzer garden tractors as built by Pennsylvania Lawn Products Inc.,
Waynesboro, Pa.

23/2/26 Q. I have an F-20 Farmall tractor, s/n
FA52728, and would like to know the proper color of same. John
Grantham, Rt. 7, Box 250, Marianna, FL 32446.

A. Your tractor was built in 1936. It is
probably gray, comparable to DuPont Dulux 93-27625 or 98620.

23/2/27 Q. Please give the proper color for a 1
hp Ingeco engine; also for a 4 hp Waterloo engine. Danny R.
Whitehead, Rt 3, Box 253, Mary wile, TN 37801.

A. Ingeco is a deep green, comparable to 93-046
DuPont Dulux. Waterloo should be a deep red, similar to
93-2564-H.

23/2/28 Q. We need the proper color for an
Ideal 3? hp upright engine, also we have had no success in locating
an instructions or parts book for this engine. T. R. Albrecht,
1020 N.E. Tollefson St., Poulsbo, WA 98370.

A. Our files have nothing on the Ideal,
although we believe it to be a deep green color.

23/2/29 Q. I’m looking for parts for a 4 hp
Stover engine, KG 194789. Kindly inform us of some places who sell
used parts. V. S. Stubblefield, 3571 Clintwood Road,
Midlothian, VA 23113.

A. Several of our regular GEM advertisers sell
used and/or reproduced engine parts. Contacting one or more of
these advertisers should lead you to the parts you need.

23/2/30 Q. I have checked GEM for the past few
years and can find no references to the paint color scheme for a
John Deere grain binder of about 1927-28 vintage. What was the
shade of red used on some of the parts, and what was the pinstripe
color used on those red parts? Lee N. Pressler, RD 2, Box 872,
Port Matilda, PA 16870.

A. The Reflector has no color data on John
Deere equipment, so we turn this one out to our readers for an
answer.

23/2/31 Q. I have just acquired (after much
labor) the Superior 40 hp, double-acting engine. (See his photo.)
Everything is there but the magneto. Would like to know the proper
paint color, operating speed, year built, plus starting and
operating information. Would like to correspond with anyone
familiar with these engines. B. G Bernard, Rt. 2, Box
247-B, Jamestown, KY 42629.

23/2/32 Q. My friend Art Wangenstein has a
Mighty Man garden tractor, as shown in the photo. We need
information on this tractor, as well as on the engine, a Clinton No
5, s/n 0365226, Model 717 AT. The Mighty Man tractor has s/n H208.
Wayne S. LeCompte, 19 Forest Drive, Lakewood, NJ
08701.

A. We can find no listings for the Mighty Man,
and our Clinton engine file has little to offer on the No. 5
model.

23/2/33 Q. What 15 the paint color for a United
engine as shown on page 520 of American Gas Engines? Also, my 6 HP
is missing some ignition parts, so I need to correspond with
another 6 HP owner, or someone with a parts book so as to duplicate
the parts. Rich Howard, Hysham, MT 59038.

A. We have the United listed with DuPont Dulux
93-1863-H.

23/2/34 Q. I have an Empire tractor made in
Philadelphia, New York in September 1947. It is a very complete
tractor but it had been repainted and I’m sure it is not
correct. I am restoring the tractor (which has a Jeep drive train)
and I really need the right color and what is painted what, etc.
Also would like to find an owner’s manual Charles
Swearngin, Rt. 1, Box 21, Knob Noster, MO 65336.

23/2/35 Q. Photo 23/2/35A shows some sort of
apparatus, but I have no idea what it is. Any ideas? Also, Photo
23/2/35B shows an engine we have not yet identified. It uses a
Dixie magneto and a McCord lubricator. Any help in identifying
these items will be appreciated. Eric Kluth, 9622 Bolsa,
Westminster, CA 92683.

A. Ye olde Reflector won’t hazard a guess
on either one of these!

23/2/36 Q. Kindly give the year built for the
following Stover engines: CT2, s/n TB244643 and CT4, s/n TD216481.
V.O. Betz, RR 6, Box 505, Golden, CO 80403.

A. The CT-2 was built February 9, 1937 and the
CT-4 was completed September 9, 1931. This particular CT-4 was in
the first group of 25 to have a new style frame and a 4-ring
piston.

23/2/37 Q. I’m a newcomer to the gas engine
hobby, so my knowledge is extremely limited. I’d like to know
the following things about a LeRoi engine: year built, proper
color, and a repair source. B.E. Whitehall, 3213 Dartmouth,
Pasadena, TX 77503.

A. Even though you supplied us a number for the
LeRoi, we can’t help you with it specifically. A very few
companies still have information on their early engines, but the
great majority do not, even if they still exist. Thus, a photo of
your engine, along with nameplate data including the model number
would be helpful so that other collectors might possibly be of help
in the exchange of information.

23/2/38 Q. Can anyone help in dating a Novo
Model S engine? The proper paint color is also needed. Did the fuel
pipes on this engine use a flared nut or a packing nut? Harry
Anischik, P.O. Box 12, West-field, MA 01086.

A. We believe the Model S is a deep green,
comparable to DuPont 93-77161. Also, it is our recollection that
the fuel line connections used brass compression fittings rather
than flare fittings.

23/2/39 Q. Floyd Gibson, 12427 Stottlemyer
Road, Myersville, MD 21773 needs information on a Reo engine, Model
211, Type H, s/n 3H20027X made by Reo Motor Inc., Lansing,
Michigan.

23/2/40 Q. Can anyone identify this mower and
the engine? Will be happy to hear from anyone with some
information. Hans G. Rasch, 13 Ellis Road, League City, TX
77573.

23/2/41Edgar E. Wagner, 1918 Hillison Road,
Amboy, IL 61310 would like to hear from anyone who has a 4 HP
engine built by Phelps Light & Power Co., Rock Island,
Illinois.

23/2/42 Q. I recently purchased the following
engine: S.M. Jones Co., Toledo, Ohio. 10? inch piston, 66? inch
flywheels. What size is this engine, and where can I get the 29?
inch long cylinder bored for an oversized piston? It is set up for
propane or oilfield gas, where can I find a gasoline attachment?
How reliable is the hot tube ignition, or should I change it to
another type of ignition? Where can I see a restored engine like
this for reference purposes? Where can I get a head gasket? Where
can I get a detailed drawing of this engine, as it was purchased
disassembled. Ron Eckert, 203 E. 6th St., jasper, IN
47546.

A. Based on diameter alone, the engine is
probably in the range of 20-25 HP. It’ll take some looking
perhaps, but some large shop with a big horizontal boring bar
should be able to handle the job of boring the cylinder. Changing
from gas to gasoline will require a BIG carburetor, so running the
engine on bottled propane gas seems to be a logical approach. To
keep the engine as original as possible, every effort should be
made to retain the original type of ignition. Finding a restored
engine will require some checking around to determine where one
might be-we don’t know. It will probably be necessary to make a
headgasket, using asbestos sheet packing. We know of no drawings
still available for this engine.

23/2/43 Q. What is the proper color and
striping for a Sandwich Big 6 engine; also the Massey-Harris
engines? Albert Bryer, 5 Davis Hwy., Woodville, NH
03785.

A. We have DuPont 93-5800 green listed for the
Sandwich, and if memory serves correctly, the Sandwich uses yellow
gold striping.

23/2/44 Q. I recently acquired the engine in
accompanying photo and have the following questions: 1) What is the
make of this engine? It has a 3? inch bore. 2) There is no trace of
a data plate. Where would the serial number be located? 3) How are
the ‘EXH OPEN’ and ‘EXH CLOSED’ marks on the
flywheel used for timing? 4) What is the function of the sheet
metal lever above the governor? 5) Should there be a sheet metal
butterfly adjustment on the carburetor? 6) What is the correct
color? 7) Where is the fuel tank located? Jim Skutt, 4280
Fairway Drive, Eureka, CA 95501.

A. In answer: 1) The engine is a Sattley 1? HP,
built for Montgomery Ward in the late 1920’s and early
1930’s. 2) The nameplate was originally on top of the water
hopper, but is obviously gone. 3) The ‘EXH OPEN’ and
‘EXH CLOSED’ marks almost always are aligned with the
exhaust push rod for timing, but in a few instances a separate
timing mark is located on the engine frame. 4) This is simply a
speed control lever. 5) The great majority of engines use a sheet
metal or cast iron damper to choke the engine for starting
purposes. 6) The color is a deep green, similar we believe to
DuPont 93-77161. 7) The fuel tank is cast integral with the engine
base.

23/2/45 A special thanks to Jerry Willis, 3737
Old Marksville Hwy., Pineville, LA 71360 for sending the Reflector
a Caterpillar Serial/Product Identification Number Index.

23/2/46 Q. Mark Nedrow, P.O. Box 644, Selah, WA
98942 sends a photo of his Stover diesel engine coupled to a United
States generator, 125 volts and 24 amps at 1000 rpm. Mark asks:
What is the year of this engine, s/n DSM259174? Can anyone give
information on the generator, or advise where I can find some
missing parts?

A. The Reflector owns a Stover 10 HP diesel and
painted it DuPont 9357704 gray, since that was the best match to
the original paint. Your 5 HP engine was, according to the
production records, built December 7, 1938 for the Atlas Company.
It was the first one to use a retainer ring on the oil pump
shaft-Stover had a problem losing the oil pump gear in the
crankcase, and that event epitomized bad news! This engine was also
the first to have a cam shaft extension through the cam cover with
a v-pulley to run the radiator fan. It was also the first 5 HP
Diesel with a 6-ring piston, and according to the production
records, U.S. Motors specified it to be furnished without a
radiator. Some Stover diesel parts (NOS) may be available from
Jerry Sheldon, Coal Valley, IL 61240.

23/2/47 Q. What is the proper color of green
for the IHC Type M engines? John F. McCullough, 14091 Telegraph
Road, Pectonica, IL 61063.

A. We have DuPont 7498D Green as the matching
color.

READERS WRITE

22/12/2McCormick-Deering 10-20
tractors

Did we ever get letters on this one!!! Ten different people
wrote in, all in substantial agreement that the manifold shown on
this tractor was a so-called ‘cold manifold’ for gasoline.
One writer related that having made the change, he found that his
10-20 McCormick-Deering would burn over 4 gallons of gasoline per
hour on a heavy belt load, compared to less than 2 gallons of
kerosene, and using the original manifold! Several writers related
that the cold manifold was available from Central Tractor Parts
Company, along with several other tractor part suppliers.

The Reflector finds it ironic that the vast majority of the
early tractors used kerosene fuel, with Rumely probably being the
most successful in this endeavor. Almost paralleling the
development of row-crop tractors came a gradual changeover to
gasoline fuel. During the late 1930’s came the short-lived
distillate craze-probably no greater crankcase diluter was ever
made than this stuff! Then it was back to gasoline during the
1940’s, but by the 1950’s came diesel-powered farm
tractors. These made little headway until the 1960’s when the
price of fuel became a major factor in farm operating costs. So, in
about fifty years we have come full circle on fuels, and in the
process have made gasoline engines in farm tractors virtually
extinct.

22/12/27 T.L. Smith engines Several
readers contacted us in this regard, including Verne Kindschi at
Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. Verne is custodian of the Fuller &
Johnson production records and notes that the Smith engines were
built by Fuller & Johnson, but had a T.L. Smith name-plate.
Even the serial number was a Fuller & Johnson number. The
engines were purchased for use on the T.L. Smith cement
mixers.Mercury chainsaw information

John Hall, RR 2, Box 407, Bahama, NC 27503 writes that Mercury
built the motor and Disston built the remainder of these saws,
After these two-man saws went out of production the records were
sent to the Disston office in Philadelphia where they were later
destroyed in a fire. Therefore, no records exist on these saws.

22/12/44Speed of stone burr mills
Several readers question whether it is advisable to run a stone
mill at the original rated speed as we mentioned in the above
article. For example, we suggested that an 18-inch stone run at 300
rpm. The problem seems to be that sometimes the steel reinforcing
band is badly rusted, taking away much of its original strength. In
fact, the Reflector’s own Nordyke & Marmon mill is equipped
with a new band which we shrunk on the runner. We thank our readers
for bringing this comment to our attention, and again, we issue the
usual caveat-Be Careful!

MODELMAKER’S CORNER

Wendell Allen, RR 3, Box 383, Eldorado Springs, MO 64744 sends a
photo of a small hit-and-miss model built from common shop stock
and materials. It is made from plans by Harold Depenbusch, 309 S.
Delaware, Columbus, KS 66725. The engine has a 11/8 x 1? inch bore
and stroke (see Photo MM-1).

This appears to be a model of a girder frame engine, and
likewise appears to be of the Corliss design. Since no dashpots are
visibly connected to the admission valves, we wonder whether in
this case the fast closing action is achieved by springs. Regarding
Mr. Allen’s query, Corliss design virtually always places the
steam admission valves on top, with the two exhaust valves beneath.
Digging out an old textbook on the Corliss engine seems a likely
prerequisite in this situation, since the Corliss design is such
that attempting a brief explanation is sort of like a preacher
giving a short sermon-it’s tough to do! One further comment on
the Corliss engine-it has no governor mechanism evident, nor can we
tell from the photograph what type of admission valve mechanism is
used.

A CLOSING WORD

Several years ago someone asked the Reflector if he
‘wouldn’t run out of engine and tractor history to write
about’ within a few years. We replied that we didn’t really
think so, and time has certainly proven us to be correct. Hardly a
day passes when we don’t unearth at least a tiny kernel of
history, and of course, joyful is the day when a big, new discovery
is made.

Working as we do, in historical research, the temptation is
always present to overdo the job, and the risk of becoming a
perpetual researcher who never puts any of the product into print.
Likewise, the criticism is often launched that in our case at
least, ‘you missed the Bumfizzle Engine Company-they made 1?
engines back in ’03 and their engine isn’t listed in any of
your books!’ There are two ways to look at this, as well as
almost anything-either do thorough research which gives a
comprehensive picture, or do bit-by-bit research which takes a
lifetime, but never results in any substantive compilaton upon
which others can build. You see, it has never been the intention of
the Reflector, or for that matter anyone else we know of, to be
completely omniscient, but as we have stated many times, we hope
that our research can be a building block for the efforts of
others. Ask the Reflector, or ask any of the GEM staff, and will
quickly become apparent that all of us have a lot to learn. So, the
next time you are at an engine show and one of the resident experts
begins expounding at length, just remember the old adage which
says: ‘The man who thinks he knows it all is the man with the
most to learn.’

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.


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  • Published on Feb 1, 1988
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