Greetings to each and all of you for the holiday season, and our
very special wishes to everyone for a healthy, wealthy, and
prosperous 1993! We meet many thousands of you every year, and we
wish we could give you our best wishes in person. Since that’s
impossible, we give you our best with the printed word.
At the very top of our column this month comes some exciting
news regarding the GEM-sponsored tour to England for 1993. While we
assume there will be further details elsewhere in this issue, here
are some highlights:
The tour will be handled by Wade Farm Tours from England. This
group has handled numerous tours of our British cousins to various
shows here in the United States. We believe that this firm has an
excellent reputation and have heard nothing but excellent reports.
Wade Farm Tours has the distinct advantage of knowing the English
countryside and knowing where and when the various activities and
interesting sights might be.
The tour will leave June 19, 1993 from Chicago, via British
Airways. (There may also be an alternate departure from
Philadelphia). Upon arriving in London, we will be met by a courier
from Wade Farm Tours, and from there we will depart to the areas of
Hampshire and Winchester, where we will stay at the Royal Hotel.
Winchester is famous for the longest cathedral in Europe, started
by William the Conqueror in 1079.
After about three days in the Winchester area we will leave for
Bristol for a couple of days. Then it’s on to Chester. On
Saturday, June 26 we’ll visit the Tatton Park 1000 Engine Rally
(Show). This show is set on the grounds of a magnificent
neoclassical mansion. On Sunday we’ll go to North Wales.
Monday, June 28 we’ll be going to Sheffield and Norfolk,
visiting several museums and other points of interest along the
way. Bloom’s Steam Engine Museum and the Imperial War Museum
will be in our view, and by July 1 we’ll be headed to London.
On Saturday July 3rd we’ll transfer to Heathrow Airport for a
return flight on Saturday afternoon. We’ll arrive back at
Chicago at 4:35 p.m. the same day (due to the time change).
We’ll have the advantage of a tour guide with vast
experience in our hobby, and this undoubtedly will make the trip
very interesting. For anyone interested, this surely should be a
memorable journey!
Thus far the response has been tremendous! Folks, note this
well… if you are interested in going on this trip, see further
details in this issue regarding prices, tour reservations, and so
forth. Due to a lack of communication, we’re not sure we have
all the response letters’ sent in for the tour survey. So, if
you previously indicated your interest, and you don’t get a
tour brochure, don’t wait for it … write or call for one from
the GEM office at 717-392-0733.
Folks, it looks like you’ll have to put up with ye olde
Reflector for a couple of weeks, since I’ll be one of your tour
hosts. Seriously, I’m looking forward to it immensely, not only
for the tour, but also to meeting with and visiting everyone on the
tour. We also have it on good authority that George Dammann, the
erstwhile owner of Crestline Publishing, will be on the tour.
George is a very personable man who also happens to be one of the
world’s leading experts on automotive history, and continues as
the editor of the Crestline Agricultural Series, now published by
Motor books.
The bottom line is that here’s a two-week tour to England
with a base price under $2,000. It’s an opportunity to see a
lot of equipment we can never see here in the U.S., and chances are
that we’ll all have a very enjoyable time. So, get your
passport if you don’t have one, and watch GEM for preliminary
and final details. We hope to see many of you on the tour!
Our queries this month begin with:
28/1/1 Flinchbaugh Mfg. Company Q. I have a
catalog from Flinchbaugh which shows nine models of their York
tractor. My father owned one of these tractors and have a few parts
from one which was a two-cycle of 12-22 horsepower. The engine had
two large flywheels and was reversible so that it was practical to
run the tractor in high gear, but in reverse. Does anyone have any
information as to what happened to this line of tractors or the
Flinchbaugh Company? Clarence Rulong, RD 3, Box 112, Moundsville.
WV 26041-9508.
A. Can anyone help Mr. Rulong?
28/? Klamath Sea Twin Q. A friend of mine has a
Klamath Sea Twin 10 HP marine engine of the mid 1950s. It needs an
overhaul, but we are unable to locate anyone who has a line on
parts or has the capability to overhaul this engine. Any help would
be appreciated. Roger B. Robinson, 14 Darlington Road, New Castle,
DE 19720.
A. If you can be of help, please contact Mr.
Robinson directly.
28/1/3 Massey-Harris Type 2 Francis Kurtis, 646
Anderson Rd., Niles, MI 49120 needs information on a 3 horsepower
model. He would appreciate hearing from anyone who can help.
28/1/4 Information Needed Q. Can anyone supply
service information on a Taylor engine, no. 247144, 1? E HP; also
on an engine, No. 375673, 2? S horsepower. There is no name on this
one. Any information will be appreciated. Clifford E. Pollock, Box
122, 7C Catherine St., Gansevoort, NY 12831.
A. From the alphabetical suffix behind the
serial number of each engine, we suspect that these might have been
built by Hercules. Without a photograph, it is difficult to
tell.
28/1/5 Thanks! Thank you to George P. Latchford
Jr., 44 Catherine St., East Northport, NY 11731 for sending along
some information on the Ireland Mill & Supply Company,
manufacturers of sawmills.
28/1/6 Ideal and Jacobsen Q. I have two small
lawn mower engines for which I need information. Both are
air-cooled.
One is an Ideal, Model V, 4-cycle, vertical, s/n I-137633. It
has an atmospheric intake valve on top of the head. The exhaust
valve is in the cylinder and is operated by an adjustable lifter
from an internal cam. The engine uses a belt-driven fan. The
magneto back plate has part no. F944 and the front cover/flywheel
has part no. F945.
The other engine is a Jacobsen upright, s/n J-147939. It is also
four-cycle. There are no tags or identification plates, but I have
been told it’s a Jacobsen. This engine has a magneto backplate
with part no. 1036 and a front cover/flywheel part no. 1017. The
magnetos of both engines are very similar but not
interchangeable.
My questions on the above engines: Can anyone tell me the year
built, original colors and horsepower? Can anyone furnish copies of
operator’s manuals or other information on these engines, and
also the correct type of carburetor for the Ideal? I think the
carburetor is mounted using a ? inch pipe as a manifold, but it is
missing. Can anyone identify the manufacturer of the magnetos by
the numbers given, and possibly furnish service information on
same? 1 will be extremely appreciative of any help rendered on the
above inquiry.
I also have an Edwards gas engine as shown on page 145 of
American Gas Engines. I need service and operating information on
this engine, also the correct colors. James N. Oster,4 Julia Ave.,
Chicopee, MA 01020.
28/1/7 Fairbanks-Morse Q. See the two photos of
a Fairbanks-Morse engine, s/n 78254. I also have a Fairbanks-Morse
engine, s/n 231878. Can you tell me when these engines were built?
John Harms, RR 1, Box 31, Steamboat Rock, IA 50672-9713.
A. We have no information on the illustrated
engine, but the second one was built in 1917.
28/1/8 Farmall Regular Q. I am trying to
restore a 1928 International Harvester Regular model, and am
looking for suppliers of new and used parts. Does anyone know who
can supply gaskets and other parts? Gary J. Banuk, 324 Holmes St.,
Hanson, MA 02341
28/1/9 Polished Flywheels? Q. Can you tell me
whether gas engines were originally supplied with polished
flywheels, or is this an example of over-restoration? How can one
bring them to such a high polish? How are they maintained? Peter L.
Cunningham, 27 Braemount Drive, Halifax, NS B3M 3P3 Canada.
A. We believe that originally the flywheel rims
were left unpainted in some cases, and the final lathe cut, if
skillfully done, left a very bright surface. Engine operators or
engineers tried to keep the machinery under their care in
meticulous condition. Thus they spent a lot of time on the brass
and other bright parts, including the flywheel rims. This was fine
for engines located in a heated room. However, outside, where the
effects of moisture soon did their work in rusting the rims, the
idea of polished rims quickly faded. Thus, farm engines generally
had painted rims.
28/1/10 Information Needed Q. What is the
correct paint color and trim information for the following: Cletrac
W-12 and 1935 Twin City KTA? Also, I have an old horsedrawn road
grader. On each casting is the letter M, cast inside a raised
border with rounded comers. Can anyone identify these casting
marks? Any help will be appreciated. Bob Lockwood, 527 Vista Ln.,
Bayfield, CO 81122.
A. We have Martin-Senour 90T-3728 or Ditzler
60583 listed as Cletrac Orange. We do not have an exact match for
the gray as used on the KTA tractor. Can anyone suggest the make of
the grader from the casting mark noted above?
28/1/11 Sterling Engine Q. I need information
on the Sterling engine that was used on the Lombard Log Haulers
made in Waterville, Maine. Is Sterling still in business? I need
specs on the engine and a possible source of parts. William H.
Atwood, 427 Center St., Salamanca, NY 14779.
A. Can anyone advise on Sterling?
28/1/12 Gray Marine Engine Q. I recently
acquired a vertical Gray marine engine made by the Gray Marine
Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan. The engine does not appear in
American Gas Engines. This four-cycle design uses overhead intake
and exhaust valves, and is pushrod actuated. There is a simple ball
bearing thrust on the crankshaft end opposite the flywheel. A
float-operated oil level gauge and a water pump are on the end of
the camshaft. Can anyone tell me the approximate age of this
engine, horsepower, original colors, and the like? Any help will be
appreciated. Steve Parsons, 139 Corriea Rd., Sequim, WA 98382.
28/1/13 Stover and Fairbanks Q. See the two
photos of a 1929 Stover CT-1 engine. It has a top cover over the
crank, plus a back cover which I have not seen before. Can anyone
tell me how many were made like this? I also have a 1919
Fairbanks-Morse 1? HP Model Z with a Plugoscillator (photo
28/1/13C). Can anyone tell me how many of these were made? Byron
Boike, 2280 Co Rd #5 SW, Willmar, MN 56201.
A. Possibly with the serial number of the
Stover we could learn something from the production records, but we
can’t say that we’ve ever seen a CT-1 thus equipped. It
would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to determine how
many CT-1 engines were built thusly. Regarding the Fairbanks-Morse
engine, there are no records at the company regarding the Type Z
engines. These were shipped away years ago when Z production went
somewhere in Mexico. We understand that since that time, Z engine
production went to Texas for a time, then back to Mexico. Even the
folks at Fairbanks-Morse don’t seem to know where, or even if,
any Z engines are being built, or if the original records still
exist. So, we think it’s probably impossible to answer your
question with any accuracy.
28/1/14 Canadian Fairbanks-Morse Q. I have a 1?
HP Type Z engine from Canadian Fairbanks-Morse Company Ltd. with
s/n C21480. When was it built? It has a slight trace of medium blue
paint. Could this have been the original color? What is the correct
magneto for this engine? Any advice would be appreciated. Gordon
Peters, Rt 3, Box 77, Aurora, NE 68818.
A. In talking with the folks at
Fairbanks-Morse, the Beloit (Wisconsin) plant has virtually no
information on Canadian Fairbanks-Morse operations. Despite our own
research, we can’t even tell you when they quit building
engines, or anything else about this operation. Perhaps some of
this information is still buried somewhere, waiting to be
discovered. So far that hasn’t happened, and until it does,
there’s very little help we can offer.
28/1/15 IHC 10-20 Tractor Q. I have a 10-20 IHC
tractor of 1927 vintage. Mine has every indication of having been a
greenish shade of olive drab. The paint doesn’t appear to be a
primer, and there is no trace of gray anywhere. Would I make a
mistake to restore it with this dull murky green color? John
Dykstra, RR .1, Box 256, Wapello, IA 52653.
A. Occasionally we hear of IHC engines and
tractors painted different colors from the ordinary, and yours
presents an interesting dilemma. We all know that earlier tractors
like the IHC Mogul were finished with an olive green similar to
DuPont 93-29609. However, the IHC gray appears to have begun in
earnest with the introduction of the McCormick Gear Drive tractors.
We don’t know of any reason why yours would be olive green,
several years after the fact, but perhaps it was. We won’t
advise you what color to paint your tractor. However, we can assure
you of getting a lot of attention, questions (and comments) if you
paint it olive green! Have any readers come across this
anomaly?
28/1/16 Moto-Mower Q. See the photos (preceding
page) of my Moto-Mower, s/n S62489, engine #208503 198715 008 010.
Is the engine a Briggs? My dad bought the mower used from a parks
district around Chicago, Illinois in the mid 1950s. We used it
until the mid 1960s. Any help in dating this mower or the engine
will be greatly appreciated. William G. Power, 21435 US Hwy 50,
Coptopaxi, CO 81223.
28/1/17 Ottawa Information Q. I am a student at
Schenck High School and am studying Energy and Power Technology. I
would like any information on a one-cylinder, 5 horsepower Ottawa
drag saw engine. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Carl M. Reed
Jr., 50 Spruce St., East Millinochet, ME 04430. Schenck High
School.
A. If you can be of help to this student,
kindly do so.
28/1/18 Farmall Cub Q. I recently saw your
magazine, and wonder if you could help me. I have an interest in
buying an International Cub tractor motor and wonder how I might
best go about finding one. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Michael L. Dufek, 17989 Santa Rosa Rd., Perris, CA 92570.
A. You might try an ad in GEM … we’d bet
that there’s an engine out there which you can acquire.
28/1/19 Unidentified Engine Q. I have an engine
with the following nameplate data: 25 JK 15344, RPM 775, HP 2? –
3?.
I hear there is another number on a steel plate which is 4719.
Can anyone identify this machine? What year was it built? Peter E.
Peachay, 69867 S. River Rd., White Pigeon, MI 49099.
A. Without a photo or two of the engine, we
can’t even hazard a guess. Photographs aren’t always
imperative, but certainly are very helpful in making an
identification. If you’ll send us some photos, perhaps we can
be of help.
28/?0 Moto-Mower Q. See the photo of a Jacobsen
mower. Referring to the recent Landis article on ‘Restoring a
Moto-Mower’, notice the similarity of mine to the mowers in the
article. Mine obviously has had rubber wheels replacing iron ones,
and has a two-cycle Jacobsen engine instead of B & S. On mine
the trailer and seat are missing but has the attachment
location.
I am wondering if the mower’s parts could have been made by
the same manufacturer and if anyone can tell me how to time this
Briggs. I can get it to pop now and then but never kick over enough
to run. I have been all through the engine and everything seems to
be in good shape. I would also like to know when this unit was
built. I’m guessing between 1910 and 1918. Glenn W. McMaster,
McMaster’s Repair, 1407 W. Elm, Lodi, CA 95240.
28/?1 Pioneers of Construction Q. It is my
understanding that you wrote a book with the above title, and I
would like to locate a copy. Can you tell me where I can locate
this book? Anthony Ditchkus, S & E Contractors Inc., 14561
-58th Street North, Clearwater, FL 34620.
A. We haven’t written a book with this
title, nor have we heard of it previously. However, it sounds like
it might be an interesting book, so we too would like to know more
about this title. Can anyone advise?
28/?2 Chief Garden Tractor Q. See the photo of
a 1938 Chief garden tractor that I restored this past winter. I
wish to thank Roger Wright of Vienna, Ohio, and Steve Burk of
Madison, Ohio, for the information they supplied. The motor is an
Ultrimotor 1-4 HP, 4-cycle, built by Uebelhofer Bros. of Buffalo,
New York. Are there any more of these engines out there? Joseph
Murphy, Newport, NY 13416.
28/?3 Schramm Engine Q. I recently acquired a
Schramm engine with a three-piston gear-driven pump. The engine is
3 HP, s/n 30083. Any information on this engine, including the
correct color, will be greatly appreciated. R. L. DeJager, 4614 NE
Clark Dr., Madras, OR 97741.
28/?4 Fuller & Johnson Q. See this photo of
a 1923 Fuller & Johnson Type N, 2? HP, s/n 84680. It was
shipped 11/5/1923 to Coldwell Lawnmower Co., Newburgh, New York.
There is no pulley on this engine, but there are two large
sprockets on it, and there is no allowance for the regular F &
J gas tank. If anyone has a picture of one of these lawn mowers
and/or some history on Coldwell, please write to me. Thanks! Randy
Ackley, 21321 County X, Cadott, WI 54727.
28/?5 Unidentified Engine Q. I took my son to
the California Gold Country last summer to a place called Roaring
Camp, near the town of Jackson. The camp is located at the bottom
of a canyon and people still come from all over the world to search
for gold in and around the river that runs through the camp. An
‘old-timer’ gives tours and explains how the one-lunger in
the pictures near the gold ore cart used to run the pump in the
foreground to pump water from the river to the sluice box. He’d
like to restore it but doesn’t know what make it is. The s/n is
6771. Any ideas? Bob Mellin, 11 Library Place, San Anselmo, CA
94960.
A. The engine was made by Hercules. It looks to
be reasonably complete. Perhaps some engine enthusiasts in the
general area might be of assistance in bringing it back to
life.
