Over the past few weeks we have heard of several more engine
makes not listed in American Gas Engines. When we completed this
book several years ago, we knew that there were probably a
substantial number of companies not included, but we never dreamed
there would be so many makes and models still to make their
resurrection. The message is that we believe there are still more
undiscovered engines to be located, and they could be resting in an
old barn, an abandoned gold mine, or in a gooseberry thicket.
On a personal note, ye olde Reflector has been building a new
office. After all these years, we’ll finally have a building
with adequate shelves and work space. For the past twenty-five
years, much of our work has been done in the basement of our house,
and we all know how that works. Although the building process is a
lot of work in itself, we fear that the moving process will be an
even larger project. However, we’re hopeful that once
completed, we’ll be able to do a more efficient job of
researching your inquiries.
We’re looking forward to seeing many of you at the Great
Fuller & Johnson Reunion in August. Verne Kindschi has already
provided some details, and there will be more coming in GEM. We
understand this is strictly a one-time reunion, and we encourage
you to check your calendar as more information comes out.
Prices of some things remain relatively stable, while other
prices never quit rising. Back in 1979 our Encyclopedia of American
Farm Tractors retailed at $24.95. Shortly after, the price went to
$29.95 and has remained there for well over a decade. However, it
cost us $ 1.08 postage to ship this book in 1979, and now it costs
us $2.34. Many of our readers are farmers, or have a farm
background. As a depressing footnote, grain prices at the present
time aren’t terribly conducive to buying a lot of high-priced
engines and tractors!
Did you know that MECO (Manufacturer’s Engine Company) was
actually a subsidiary of Witte Engine Works? There are a few MECO
engines around, and these are actually Witte models and use Witte
serial numbers.
Our questions this month begin with:
27/2/1 Waukesha Model XA Engine Q. I have a
Waukesha XA226E engine of 1928 vintage. When I disassembled it, I
found the clutch housing about half full of 600W oil. I can’t
believe that this was ever intended to be a wet clutch. Can anyone
supply information on one of these units? Rich Howard, Hysham,
MT 59038.
A. It is our understanding that there were
indeed some oil-filled clutches used by the 1920s, but beyond that
we have no specific product information.
27/2/2 Swartz Light Plants Q. See the photo of
a Swartz light plant, built from 1916 to 1920. his 1,000 watts, 30
volts, and uses an Edison B4H battery with a capacity of 75 a. h.
This machine was built at Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana. The
Swartz is fully automatic, of two-cycle design, and the points are
in the flywheel. If anyone has one of these engines, or can help
with diagrams or instructions on how to wire the generator, I would
really appreciate it. Ken Mooney, 330 Elma-Monte Rd.,
Elma, WA 98541.
A. Beyond some very brief advertising, we have
no material on this engine. Perhaps one of our readers can be of
help.
27/2/3 Goold, Shapley & Muir Q. I have a
Goold, Shapley & Muir 1? HP gas engine, s/n 471. This engine
was made in Brantford, Canada. I desperately want to restore this
engine to running order, but I’m sure some parts are missing.
Can anyone supply any pictures, parts list, or other information? I
also need to know the type of magneto and ignitor plug for this
engine. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Frank
Muran, 13320 – 131 St., Edmonton, ALTA T5L 1N7 Canada.
A. If you can help Mr. Muran, please do so.
27/2/4 Fuller & Johnson Q. I am restoring a
Fuller & Johnson 1? HP engine, s/n 10751. Can anyone advise the
year made, color, and availability of decals? Gene
Ellingsworth, RR 2, Box 141 C, Osceola, WI 54020.
A. Write: Verne W. Kindschi, RR 1, Prairie du
Sac, WI 53578 for further information.
27/2/5 Great Lakes Tractor Co. Q. I have just
acquired a small garden tractor built by Great Lakes Tractor Co.,
Rock Creek, Ohio. The name plate reads: Chief, Model B, s/n 2b4219.
The engine is an Ultimotor from Uebelhofer Bros., Buffalo, NY,
Model U2R6, s/n 7615. Any information will be appreciated. Mark
Murphy, Box 185, Callicoon, NY 12723.
27/2/6 Information Needed Q. Our engine club
would like to have us display the year built on the placards at our
annual show. Thus, I am enclosing a list for which I would like to
have this information. Photo 6A is of a Wee MacGregor engine, Photo
6B shows a 1? HP Hercules, s/n 128961, Photo 6C is of a Witte 3 HP,
s/n B21414, and Photo 6D shows part of my collection. Your help
will be appreciated. John Beekman, Box 24, Trochu, ALTA T0M 2C0
Canada.
A. Most of your engines can be dated through
Wendel’s Notebook, available from GEM. Might we note that the
Wee MacGregor looks like something from R. M. Wade Co., builders of
the Wade Log Saw. We’re not at all sure of the year on this
one. The Witte engine was built in 1925.
27/2/7 Fairbanks-Morse Tractor Q. A colleague
of mine has a very interesting old Fairbanks-Morse tractor, as
shown in the photographs. Mr. Roy Nel of the farm Riverima in the
Cradock district of the Eastern Cape Province is the owner. I am
writing on his behalf to see if we can obtain any assistance from
your readers. The tractor is essentially complete, but some
assistance in obtaining a few missing items would be helpful. If
there is a Fairbanks-Morse collectors association, or if there are
other FBM tractor owners, we would be glad tos hear from them.
Roy Nel knows of a second machine that looks similar to the one
shown here, but there is not much left of it. From what we can
understand, these may well have been the first two internal
combustion engine tractors ever imported into South Africa. For any
assistance, we will be most grateful. Wilfred E. Mole, PO Box
408, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa.
A. Our compliments on a very rare tractor, and
we hope there might be someone who can be of help.
27/2/8 Doyle Engine Q. See the engine in the
photo. On the shroud it states, Doyle Mfg. Co., Syracuse, New York.
This is a two-stroke engine. I also have a Cunningham engine of
about 3 HP. Any information on either of these engines will be
greatly appreciated. John S. Bourquin Sr., Rt 4, Box 307,
Elmer, NJ 08318.
27/2/9 FBM S/N Location Q. I have a
Fairbanks-Morse 3 HP engine, of the ZC series, but I cannot find a
serial number. Any help regarding the location of the serial number
will be appreciated. Donald G. Fletcher, 1614 Peterson, San
Antonio, TX 78224.
A. One of the FBM ZC parts books states that,
‘The serial number is stamped on the top of the hopper at the
cylinder end.’
