38/1/1: Worthington Engine Q. I have a
Worthington 1-1/2 HP engine, serial number 45951. I would like to
know where to get any information or manuals on this engine.
Did Worthington, or some other manufacturer make this engine?
Can it be crossed over to some other engine? Ed Budich, 18 King
St., Douglassville, PA 19518.
A: The Worthington line of engines was made by
Worthington Pump & Machinery Corp., Cudahy, Wis. According to
Wendel’s American Gasoline Engines Since 1872,
Worthington took over International Gas Engine Co., makers of the
Ingeco line of engines, in 1917. Worthington continued making what
were essentially Ingeco engines for some time, and in fact early
Worthingtons wore the Ingeco name.
Further, there’s evidence that Worthington made engines for
Massey-Harris at some juncture, although we haven’t been able
to find out any particulars of that arrangement. It’s
interesting to note that at least some Worthingtons, as evidenced
by the Worthington featured on page 13 of this issue, had
nameplates listing Milwaukee as their place of manufacture.
38/1/2: Wilson Des Moines
I’ve sent these pictures to GEM for two reasons. First of
all, to thank my good friend Leon Schalliol of Wyatt, Ind., for the
incredible job he did restoring my Wilson Des Moines. Secondly, I
wanted to send it in as a pictorial resource for GEM readers of a
seldom-seen engine. Unfortunately, my photographic prowess is
lacking and the pictures don’t quite have the definition I had
hoped for.
The engine is correct, with the exception of the oiler and
muffler. This engine came with a pump jack, and the threaded hole
on top of the water hopper is to hold the pivoting arm of the pump
jack.
I would imagine there are very few of these left, and if anyone
has any additional information on this engine it would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you GEM for printing these pictures, and thank
you Leon. Keith I. Healy, 12 S. Barrett, Niles, MI 49120, (269)
684-0657.
38/1/3: Unknown Two-Stroke
Can anyone out there identify this machine? On one end is a
grindstone, and by swiveling the center section a fine
tooth-cutting saw is on the other. The engine is a two-stroke and
looks to be made for the machine. The base of the machine is
identical to that of a bench-type drill press. I was told it maybe
came off the railway and was made in Switzerland.
Bob Hamilton, R.R. 4, Woodstock, ONT Canada N4S 7V8, (519)
423-6371; (519) 424-3237 (shop).
38/1/4: Fair banks-Powered Planter
I found a farm implement (a planter?) and need help to restore
it. This item is self-propelled by a 2 HP Fairbanks-Morse engine;
the three operators face backward. The little paint I can see
through the rust is green, with red wheels. Maybe readers can help
me identify this implement and get some pictures or literature to
what it looks like in original condition (restored or new). I have
enjoyed your magazine for many years, and I have read lots of
articles that have helped me restore other gas engines.
Frank J. Harkcom, 11801 Alpine Drive S.W., Port Orchard, WA
98367, (360) 876-2111, e-mail: eharkcom@charter.net
38/1/5: Iron Horse Engine Q. I recently
purchased a four-stroke Iron Horse engine, model X-4C5, serial
number 33602. The engine was built by Johnson Motor Co., Waukegan,
Ill. I would like to know the correct color, and I also need to
find a head gasket and some other parts. Any reference or copies of
a parts book would help, and maybe you could tell me when the
engine was built. I would like to correspond with anyone that knows
about Iron Horse engines. Jay K. Markley, 4098 Columbia Ave.,
Columbia, PA 17512.
A: We don’t know much about your engine,
but with any luck one of our readers will be able to help you out.
We do know that Johnson Motor Co. built a factory in Peterborough,
Ontario, Canada, around 1928 for the production of its small
outboard engines. Johnson also built small engines very similar in
appearance to the popular Maytag to power washing machines, one of
which carried the model designation X-465. This engine was rated at
5/8 HP to 3/4 HP depending upon specifications, and indications are
it was built from around 1935 to 1952. A 1936 merger of Johnson
with Evinrude and Elto formed Outboard Marine Corporation
(OMC).
C. H. Wendel is a noted authority on antique engines and
tractors. His books constitute a vital reference resource for
collectors and hobbyists. If you have a query for C.H. Wendel, send
it along to Gas Engine Magazine, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS
66609-1265.
