First of all, we wish to thank the many folks who sent Best
Wishes to us for the Holiday Season. We hope that 1994 will be the
best year ever for each one of you!
Isn’t it interesting that the development of the internal
combustion engine is so closely tied to many different aspects of
our everyday life? Americans are notably mobile, and this great
mobility is due in large part to the fact that we can get in the
car in the morning and easily drive 300 miles that day . . . with a
lot of ambition we can go 500 or more miles from our starting point
in a single day.
Isn’t it interesting that due to the internal combustion
engine, virtually all of today’s transportation system hinges
around the internal combustion engine ? The food we eat, the
clothes we wear, and in fact, virtually everything we see, smell,
or touch, has in some way or other come to us through gasoline or
diesel engines.
Isn’t it interesting that the four-cycle engine has only
been in existence for a little more than a century, and that the
gasoline engine has existed for a bit less than a century? Yet in
that time, all of the industrialized world has been trans-formed,
largely because of this invention.
Isn’t it interesting that despite the enormous dimensions
and the tremendous dynamics presented by the internal combustion
engine, relatively few people have any idea of how the gas engine
developed, and how it has evolved from our precious collectible
engines into the highly sophisticated engines of today?
Isn’t it interesting that there has never been a U.S.
postage stamp issued to commemorate this great invention? Isn’t
it interesting that most school children have little or no idea of
the origins of an invention that takes them to school every day and
delivers them home in the afternoon?!
In the 1960s our hobby was one that was followed by perhaps a
few hundred individuals. Now the ranks number into many thousands.
Hopefully, it will continue to grow as more and more people come to
understand the tremendous significance of the internal combustion
engine. For those of us on the cutting edge, it provides us with a
new dynamic as we go about the enjoyable task of bringing a rusty,
broken, worn-out engine back to life.
Our first query begins with:
29/2/1 Lister Vertical Q . I have a Lister
vertical diesel, 5 HP, that was made in 1933, and carries serial
number 304812. The engine is badly rusted, and virtually all of the
parts and gears are frozen. Thus far 1 can find no parts or
information on this model. I would appreciate any information on
this engine, including its history, number built, where sold,and
the location of any parts. Stanley E. Bernard, PO Box 111905,
Anchorage, Alaska 99511-1905.
A. We believe that a large number of these
engines were built, although we don’t know whether any
production figures still exist. A great many were shipped to
Canada, and a substantial number have appeared in the continental
U.S. as well. However, we have no idea of where to look for parts.
Perhaps the ‘Want Ads’ might provide the parts you need
29/2/2 Viking Garden Tractor Q. William J.
Gigstead, 6960 Deer Trail Rd., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 has a Viking
garden tractor with a two-cycle in-line air cooled engine, and
would like the correct color scheme and any information he can find
on this unit. It was made by Allied Motor Co.
29/2/3 Orr & Sembower Q . See the photo of
a 3 HP Orr & Sembower engine made at Reading, Pa. It is shown
on page 363 of American Gas Engines. It was sold by Tranter Mfg.
Company, Pittsburg, Pa. I think it was sold as a unit with a com
mill because the pulleys were the same on the engine and the mill.
This engine is missing the magneto and bracket. If anyone has one
of these engines or could tell me the correct bracket, the proper
color, etc., please write me at: Don Morgan, 625 Country Club Rd.,
Shelby, NC 28150.
29/2/4 Mighty Mite Q. I would appreciate any
information on a Mighty Mite tractor built by the Jaques Power Saw
Co., Denison, Texas. It is a Model 10, serial number 2266. The
engine is a Briggs & Stratton Model 500-308571. I would like to
know the color, year, and 1 would like to correspond with anybody
having one of these units. Thanks to all the people at GEM for a
great magazine. Bruce Dixon, 8880 Hartel Rd., Grand Ledge,
MI48837.
29/2/5 Sheffield and Gray Marine Q . See the
photo (5A & 5B) of a Sheffield made by Fairbanks-Morse. There
is no data plate. It appears to be something like a Type S as
illustrated on page 42 of Power in the Past, Volume 2. The other
photos (5C & 5D) are of a Gray motor, as shown on page 213 of
American Gas Engines. It is missing a few parts. Any information on
these two engines would be greatly appreciated.Ron Duly, 1806
Karen St., Burbank,CA91504.
29/2/6 IHC Famous Q . I have an International
Famous 1 HP, serial number VC14396, and would like to know when it
was built. Harold Hopkins, 1315 Diana Ln., Colorado Springs, CO
80909.
A. Your engine was made in 1913.
29/2/7 Case VAIW Tractor Q . I acquired a Case
VAIW, serial number 4934497, and think it is about a 1945 model.
Can you verify the year, and were there very many of these made?
Robert Swanberg, 806 – 50th Ave., Prole, IA 50229.
A. According to the accepted rule, the year
built would be four digits less than the first two digits of the
serial number, therefore your tractor would be a 1945 model.
Production of the VAIW was quite small, compared to other models
built at that time.
29/2/8 Wehr Power Grader
Q. I have just bought a Wehr One-Man Power
Grader with a Fordson tractor in it. Is there anybody out there
that has one that I could get some information from? Louis
Miller, 807 Pine, Georgetown, TX 78626.
29/2/9 Fairbanks-Morse Q. I have a
Fairbanks-Morse 2 HP Jack-of-all-Trades engine and need some parts,
also a parts list and a source of parts. Also, what is the correct
color, and its age? The serial number is 154375. Can you tell me
the age of a Witte 2 HP, serial number 44143? Woody McCormick,
6222 Middlerose Circle, Louisville, KY 40272.
A. The Fairbanks-Morse was built in 1915, and
the Witte was built in 1919.
29/2/10 Mercury Air-Cooled Q. See the photos of
a Mercury air-cooled engine, Model KB7W, serial number 53665, date
1944. It was built by Kiek-hafer Corp., Cedarburg, Wisconsin. The
paint that is on it looks like military green. The engine has a
reduction gear. What was this engine used for? I would like to get
this engine running, and would appreciate hearing from anyone
having information, or a source of parts. Henry Lupkes,
RR 2, Box 78, Rushmore, MN 56168-9617.
29/2/11 Stover Vertical Q. See the photos of a
Stover vertical engine, 4 HP, serial number 1247. It has the square
push rod. I would appreciate any information on this engine,
including the year, proper color, location of gas tank, etc. Louis
Bari, RR 4, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada N5H 2R3.
A. The Stover serial number lists show serial
number 1647 as being the final engine built for 1903, so we would
suggest that your engine is of that age, or perhaps a year sooner.
Aside from the serial number information, we have never been able
to locate any material on these very early engines. Perhaps some of
our readers might be able to come to your aid.
29/2/12 Ingersoll-Rand Q. Can anyone provide
information on an Ingersoll-Rand 55 HP diesel-compressor unit? It
is Model POV 2.I also would like to find information on a Primm
horizontal engine of 55 HP, a 9 HP Venn-Severin diesel, and a 15 HP
Climax made by Climax Engine & Pump Co., Clinton, Iowa. Any
help will be appreciated. Ernest H. Durham, 1000 Williams St.,
Pendleton, SC 29670.
29/2/13 Ray Motor Co. Q. See the photo of a
marine engine made by Ray Motor Company, Detroit, Michigan. There
is a small writeup, but no picture, on page 409 of American
Gasoline Engines. I would like to know if there are any other Ray
motors out there. Clark Whiteleather, RD4, Box 4291, Spring
Grove, PA 17362.
29/2/14 Unidentified Engine Q . See the photo
of an unknown engine. It has dual flywheels and air shrouds,
two-cycle, 2 inch bore. The (missing) magneto drives from the
end of the crankshaft. I also would like to know the year built of
Witte 3 HP, serial number 49406 and serial number
60036. Virgil Scherzberg, 1407 N. Park, Grand Island, NE
68803.
A. The Witte engines were built in 1920 and
1922 respectively.
29/2/15 Farmall A Q . What is the year built of
a Farmall A, serial number 1AA 215431? Doran E. Smout,
2242 Kingstree Ln., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.
A. It was built in 1947.
29/2/16 Witte Help Needed Q. I need help with a
Witte 4 HP engine in changing from magneto to battery ignition.
Henry G. Liede Sr., 3058 Linden Ave., Mays Landing, NJ
08330.
29/2/17 Corn Sheller Q. See the photos of a
corn sheller recently found in central North Carolina. As you can
see, it was patented August 21,1888, and was built by Union Iron
Works, Decatur, Illinois. Printed on the sheet metal shroud is
Western Mill Sheller. If anyone can provide any information on this
machine , it will be greatly appreciated. Jay W. Moore,
Lt. Col. USAF Ret., 329 Cotten Rd., Sanford, NC 27330.
29/2/18 ‘Success’ Engine Q. See the
photos of a ‘Success’ engine. There is no further data. Can
anyone advise further on this engine?Craig L. Blake-man, Rt 5,
Box 339A, Charleston, WV 25312.
A. Your engine was probably built by Waterloo
Gasoline Engine Company at Waterloo, Iowa. It is one of the generic
engines built by Waterloo and marketed through various companies.
Included in these were the John M Smythe Company, Sandy McManus
Inc., and numerous others. However, our listings don’t show the
‘Success’ brand name. Perhaps some of our readers have this
information.
29/2/19 Unidentified Engine Q. See the photos
of an unidentified engine. Can anyone tell me anything about it?
What have I got? V.G. ‘Sleepy’ Avant, PO Box 670,
Aromas, CA 95004.
A. We’ve looked through our materials, and
Sieverkropp is the only thing that even comes close, although we
think that it is not one of these. Here’s an interesting
engine, and perhaps someone can positively identify it.
29/2/20 Hapgood Engine Q . Can anyone provide
information, proper colors, etc., for a Hapgood engine, as
illustrated on page 218 of American Gas Engines? Also, what is the
proper color of the IHC Type M engines? Joe Powers, RR3,
Hastings , Ontario, Canada K0L 1Y0.
A. The Type M uses DuPont 93-84155 Adirondack
Green as a comparable color. We have no information on the
Hapgood.
29/2/21 Forget Chains Forget chains! When your
storage shed is a hundred feet uphill, they’re not going to get
you there! Besides, the snow had drifted a couple feet in some
spots. The wheels pictured in the photos are Steel-Cleated Gear
Reduction Wheels. They might look unfamiliar to most Gravely
owners. I picked them up last fall in Harrisburg, Pa. Do any
readers have a set of these? Rodney Scholz, 4825 Sweet Air Rd.,
Baldwin, MD 21013.
29/2/22 Gardner Engine See the photos of my
Gardner Town Gas engine. Thanks for a super magazine. P.S., would
anyone know of a book which gives the history of the Henry Corliss
Company, Providence, Rhode Island? Tim Keenan, ‘Ohope’,
23 Byron Ave., Mar-gate, Kent, CT9 1TU England.
29/2/23 Unidentified Engine Q. Can anyone
identify the engine in the photos? It is 2 HP, serial number 55481.
Randy Frick, 1023 Lewis Rd., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
A. Your engine is an Economy, built by
Hercules, and sold by Sears, Roebuck Company.
29/2/24 Ferro Special Q. I have a Ferro
Special, 3 HP, Model T, serial number 39985 (see photo). It is
described on page 171 of American Gas Engines. As this is my first
restoration attempt, I would appreciate any information on this
engine, such as the ignition system, as mine is missing. Also
information on cooling system, lubrication, and the proper color.
Any help will be appreciated. Robert G. Long, 435 South
Second St., Watseka, IL 60970.
29/2/25 Mystery EngineQ. See
the sketches of an unidentified engine. It is two-cycle, 2 inch
bore and stroke, and has two flywheels that are nine inches in
diameter with a 2 inch face. It weighs about 80 pounds and is about
1 to 1 horsepower. There is no name or numbers on it. T. J.
Shipman, RR 2, Box 371-13, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
29/2/26 T.G. Pelton Q. My father, Charles H.
Pelton, invented in his father’s gunshop (T.G. Pelton) a
vertical marine engine with a huge flywheel. This was here on the
Mississippi River at Lyons (Clinton), Iowa. This was at a time of
the great lumber industry from about 1865-1902. The Pelton marine
engine was in production from 1895 to 1917. Can anyone supply
further information on this engine or the whereabouts of a Pelton?
Charles H. Pelton, 1120 – 10 Ave No., Clinton, IA
52732.
A. As a student of Iowa-built engines,
we’ve never found much of anything on the Pelton, and in fact,
this is the first inquiry we’ve ever had in this regard. Does
anyone have anything on the Pelton, or know of one? We’ll be
happy to hear from you!
29/2/27 Easy Washing Machine Q. Can anyone
supply information on an Easy engine made for the Easy washing
machine? Wallace Rettig, Box 188, Lee-tonia, OH
44431-0188.
29/2/28 Matthews Light Plant See the photos of
a Matthews Light Plant, made by Matthews Engineering Company,
Sandusky, Ohio. What I would like to have is the electrical diagram
for the generator and switchboard. Any information will be greatly
appreciated. Anton vander Cruijsen, Helfrichstraat 26, 6562 WV
GROESBEEK, The Netherlands.
29/2/29 Maytag Info Needed Q . When you’ve
run the test on a Maytag FYED4 magneto coil and condensor and it
checks out and after assembly you still don’t get a spark, what
do you do? Also, I need help in the restoration of a Doman 2 HP
marine engine, particularly the ignition system. Loren
Bates, 500 Grouse Creek Rd., Sandpoint, ID 83864.
29/2/30 Julien Engine Q . I need help or photos
in the restoration of a Julien engine. There appear to be orange
flowers with dark colored leaves on the cylinder, there is very
elaborate striping on the flywheels, and 1 will need a Julien decal
or tracings for the hopper. Maybe someone out there in engine land
will be able to assist in this restoration. I will answer all
letters and maybe be able to help someone else, as this engine is
complete in every detail. Al Hauschildt. 19010 Yost Ranch
Rd., Sonora, CA 95370.
29/2/31 French Engine Q . My husband and I
recently purchased a Couach Moteurs Marins. It is Type NC 1, No.
15385, made in Arachon, France. We would appreciate hearing from
anyone who has an engine like it. We have no idea of the year it
was made, the proper paint color, or even how it came to the United
States. Joan Sagers, PO Box 1183, Green Valley, AZ
85622.
29/2/32 Johnson Utilimotor For those needing
information on the Johnson Utilimotors, kindly contact: A. DeKalb,
Van Alstyne Dr., Pulaski, NY 13142. He has many different
instructions and parts books that he can copy for you at a nominal
fee.
29/2/33 Stover Color Q. I have a 1919 Stover,
serial number K118330. What is the proper color? Wilbur
Arlington, Box 309, McComb, OH 45858.
A. At about serial number 80,000, Stover
changed from a dark red to a Brewster Green, comparable to DuPont
2015.
29/2/34 Wisconsin In-Line Q. I have a Wisconsin
four-cylinder in-line engine, Type AP41S, 3 x 4. I need a manual,
proper paint color, and some parts for his engine. Can anyone be of
help? Charles R. Traum, 13161 Best Rd., Davis, IL
61019.
29/2/35 Associated 12 Mule Team Q . See the
photos of an Associated Twelve Mule Team engine I recently
purchased. What is the approximate date of this engine, and what
color were the trucks painted? Also I’d like to hear from
anyone with whom I can correspond and exchange in-formation
regarding its restoration. Kent Zobel, Rt I, Box 35A,
Monroe, NE 68647.
A. We believe the Twelve Mule Team was built
until 1920, and possibly a bit longer. However, we’ve never
seen any catalog cuts that show the trucks in color, so we
can’t tell you for sure.
29/2/36 R. A. Lister Q . Has there ever been an
article in GEM about any R. A. Lister & Company engines made in
England? I have a 4 HP vertical and would like to find information
on it. Are they still in business? Any information would be greatly
appreciated. David B. Woodson Jr., 6440 Cranwell Circle,
Mechanicsville, VA 23111.
A. Don Siefker’s Gas Engine Magazine
Indexes list several articles on the Lister over the years. The
indexes, four books covering GEM contents from 1966-1992, are
available from Stemgas, either individually, or all four in a
package for $11.00 postpaid. They’re a great help when ordering
back issues of GEM for research purposes.
Also, see 29/2/1, at the beginning of this column, for a fellow
Lister vertical owner. Perhaps the two of you can put your heads
together and share any information that comes to light!
A Closing Word
That’s all for this month, folks. This copy should be in
your hands in early January of 1994, and again, we wish each and
all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
We should also tell you that we’ve just received word from
Wade Farm Tours that they are in the planning stages for an
overseas tour in 1995. This one will most likely include England,
Germany, Holland, Belgium, and possibly Switzerland. There was some
earlier discussion of plans for 1994, but defer-ring for a year
seemed to be the better choice. This permits Wade to make the
inquiries about private collections, the best mechanical
collections in museums, and the like. After all, those who were on
the 1993 tour to England will all agree, we believe, that this was
one of the best planned and best organized tours of all time.
Meanwhile, if you have any interest at all in a 1995 tour, please
drop us a line so that we can put your name on the list as a
potential tourist. Possibly the tour could be arranged so that we
might visit the Great Dorset Steam Fair in England. We’ll keep
you informed of all developments as they occur!