During the past few weeks a number of letters have been received
concerning the paint color dilemma. Although we do not yet have
enough to warrant publication in booklet form, we certainly
appreciate the response thus far. We remain convinced that the idea
WILL work, but we need your support. Even if you must reach back in
memory for the approximate color of an old engine or tractor, even
that information will be helpful. After all, even if a Galloway is
the wrong SHADE of red, at least it is in the ballpark so far as
color is concerned.
In late March, we were privileged to make a presentation at
LaPorte, Indiana to the Rumely Reunion. This small, but very active
group, is dedicated to preserving the OilPull legend. Several
former Rumely employees were present. In visiting with them we
learned that during Rumely’s last years, when finances were
tight, the green color varied somewhat from batch to batch,
depending on the price of the product. When Rumely switched from
green to gray, we are told. it was mainly because they could obtain
a whole lot of gray paint at a very attractive price! To reiterate
what we noted in the previous paragraph, if we have some general
ideas regarding paint colors, don’t hesitate to let us
know.
The Reflector spent the last two weeks of March on the road.
First we went to LaPorte, Indiana. In addition to our presentation
for the Rumely Reunion, we walked through the old Rumely shops, now
occupied by Allis-Chalmers since 1931, and completely vacant in
recent times. Only a small office force remains. One day was spent
at Harvey, Illinois. This is the home of the A-C engine plant
formerly operated by Buda. Our remaining time was spent at A-C
headquarters in West Allis, Wisconsin. During our visits we were
able to photograph a large amount of material, and hopefully, this
will all be compiled into a history of Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing
Company, with a sizeable section devoted strictly to the Rumely
operations. A footnote.. .While at West Allis, we watched the news
release come over the Dow-Jones wire that A-C had been sold to the
German firm of Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz. We always find it upsetting
to see a longtime firm go down, but it is especially eerie when
seeing it happen before your eyes!
In addition to the many questions and replies to same that come
into the Reflections column, many nice letters have arrived
concerning the new format and our column. We offer our humble
thanks and hope our efforts will continue to be worthy of your
time. As the new format becomes better established, we certainly
welcome your articles on specific companies and/or specific engines
or tractors.
20/4/1 Douglas Poor, PB & H Molding
Corporation, 124 Pickard Drive East, Syracuse, NY 13211 sends us a
photograph of an Avery semi portable engine he recently acquired.
Mr. Poor encloses a detailed description of the engine, but is also
interested in hearing from anyone else who has one of these models.
You may contact Mr. proor at (315) 455-5602 between 7 AM and 3PM,
Monday through Friday.
20/4/2 Q.. Can you identify this engine? E.
H. Heying, 3110 Weaver Rd., Fallon, NE 89406.
A. The engine of 20/4/2 is a Fairbanks-Morse
Model ‘Z’, but we aren’t sure of the horsepower without
having the bore and stroke dimensions.
20/4/3 Q. What is the original paint color for
the 1 HP Economy engines? What is the difference between styled and
un styled John Deere tractors? Mark Wigmore, 5010 Wezel Circle,
Colorado Springs, CO 80916.
A. We believe the Economy engines are red,
comparable to DuPont Dulux 93-066-H. The un styled Deere tractors
built through 1938 had no radiator grille. The styled series
introduced in 1939 featured a streamlined hood and grille. See
adjacent illustrations.
20/4/4 Q.. Can anyone supply information of a
Sandwich Model ‘V’ engine with a vacuum pump? J. D.
Warwick, RR1, Box 214-A, Redgranite, WI 54970
20/4/5 Q. 1. Can you expain how an 8-cycle
Aeromotor engine operates? 2. How does a double-acting tandem
engine work? 3. We have a 1916 Fairbanks-Morse 3 HP engine with no
magneto. Can we substitute a battery and coil for it? (This is not
the plug oscillator type). 4. The enclosed picture is of an Easy
Engine built by Syracuse Washing Machine Corp. The needle valve is
loose in the body of the carburetor. Can anyone tell us the age of
this engine? Monte Shockman, 5021 Peg Street, Boise, ID
83705
A. 1. The Aeromotor 8-cycle is actually of the
usual four-cycle design. However, Aeromotor geared the cam 4:1
instead of the usual 2:1 camshaft speed. This saved fuel and was
supposed to give the power impulse on the lift stroke of the pump.
Although the 8-cycle term applied to Aeromotor pumpers has become
common parlance, it is actually a misnomer, since the internal
operations of the engine itself remain the same, i.e., intake,
compression, power, exhaust. Cutting the cam speed in half only
permits these activities to occur half as often.
2, Double-acting engines were fairly common prior to high speed
designs. Some large prime movers are still built with this design.
As shown in the accompanying illustrations, a double-acting engine
simply works on both sides of the piston. A tandem engine couples
one piston and cylinder directly to another through an extended
piston rod. The valve gear was set up so that the power strokes
were symmetrically arranged. A twin-tandem simply doubled the
power. Among other special needs, these engines almost universally
employed a hollow piston rod to circulate cooling water to the
piston.
3. There should be no problem in running your engine with a
battery and coil if there is no magneto. One point to note is this
magneto ignition usually has the points closed except when tripped
for ignition. Battery ignition has the points open except when
pushed into the closed position for ignition. Upon tripping, the
points again remain open until the next cycle. This prevents
unnecessary drain on the battery. Possibly you can change the
igniter springs so as to accomplish the same goal. Another point
hooking a battery into a MAGNETO circuit is sure to discharge the
magnets or wreak other havoc with the magneto. If testing an
engine, disconnect the magneto first. 4. Regarding the Easy Washer
engine, we would suggest making a new needle valve. Possibly its
mating part needs attention as well. While we don’t know the
exact age of your engine, we are certain that Syracuse was
operating at least into the 1930’s.
20/4/6 Q. What is the correct color for a Rock
Island engine? Are decals, operators manuals, etc. available?
Scotty Little, Box 1042, Hope, AR 71801
A. Our information has it that Rock Island
engines are approximately a brown comparable to DuPont Dulux
93-29607. Decals are available from several GEM advertisers.
20/4/7 Q. Enclosed are two photographs of our
Fairbanks-Morse 2 HP engine. It has the hot tube as well as the
electric ignitor which fires on the piston head. We need to know
whether the gas supply has to be pressurized for the hot tube
flame. Also would like to correspond with others having this type
of engine. Gilbert Merry, Route 1, Box 154, Lowden, WA
99360.
A. Most of the drawings and sketches we can
find on the hot tube system indicate that some sort of gravity feed
was used. However, we believe that a blue flame of blowtorch
proportions would be necessary to keep the tube hot enough for
ignition. Perhaps some of our readers have spent enough time
experimenting with this unique phase of engineering to give us some
answers.
20/4/8 Q. We have a Novo Model S, 3 HP engine
we are restoring and would like to know its approximate age. The
engine has battery ignition. A. N. Montrey, 17-7th St., Surf
City, NJ 08008
A. It appears that the Model S first appeared
about 1912, with production continuing almost unchanged until the
late ’20’s or early ’30’s. However, the later
models were often equipped with a Wico EK high tension magneto, and
a few minor changes were also made along the way. With Novo’s
introduction of lightweight engines in by 1924, we suspect that
production of the Type S slowed dramatically after that time. Since
your letter to us details a cone-type muffler, your engine was
probably built about 1918.
20/4/9 Q. What is the proper color for the F-12
Farmall, and please give us the year built for S/N FS-131397 and
FS’30731. Richard Nelson, RR 1, Box 19, Hancock, WI 54943.
A. Our records indicate that FS-30731 was a
1935 model F-12, so it would be gray, comparable to DuPont Dulux
93-27625. The later number shows it to be ascribed to an F-14 of
1938, so it would be red.
20/4/10 Q. .We have a middlings mill called The
Thos. McFeely Granulating Middling Mill, Philadelphia, Pa. Pat.
Jan.3, 1903. We understand it is for grinding wheat. Any
information on a machine of this type would be appreciated. Joe
Morris, 112 Irwin Road, Powell, TN 37849.
A. . First of all, middlings are defined as
coarsely ground wheat with the bran still present. We don’t
know much about the old-time milling arts, but would guess that
prior to arriving at this machine the wheat would have gone through
either a stone mill or probably through a roller mill. Perhaps some
of our readers can shed some light on this one.
20/4/11 Q. .We have a small Gray engine, No. 29
built by Gray Motor Company, Detroit, Michigan. Can anyone supply
us with information as to type of ignition, color of engine, and
potential value in running order? David Z. Fisher, RD 3, Box
455, Mill Hall, PA 17751.
A. Answers to your questions are difficult
without a photograph, and with many early engines, even this
enhancement might not be enough to provide some information.
Possibly one of our readers is familiar with this early engine.
20/4/12 Q. Where can I get decals made? We have
a Caterpillar ’15’. When it was new it had a 5 x 7 inch
decal on the gas tank with the lubrication and maintenance
instructions. Henry Jaman, 1134, Butztown Road, Bethlehem, PA
18017.
A. Getting decals made can be a problem.
Finding a nearby shop is as easy as looking in the Yellow Pages.
After that comes the problem of getting the necessary artwork
together, and usually at a considerable cost. It costs very little
more to run 500 decals than it does to run a dozen. The problem is
in setup time, washup, and the cost of screens, etc. While we
don’t wish to discourage you, on an individual basis, we would
think a good sign painter could do the job for less money, that is,
unless there are prospects of selling enough decals to break
even.
20/4/13 Q. We have a 1938 John Deere A with a
Belen ‘Time Gear’ overdrive. It doesn’t have a way to
shift it, and we have been unable to get any information from the
company or the distributor. If we had a drawing and dimensions, we
could make a shifter, but first we need to know what it looks like.
Also, we have a John Deere LA with no serial number plate. Is there
any way to locate the serial number without the plate, and does
anyone make new serial number plates for these tractors? Ray
Hartzell, RR 2, Box 227, Everton, MO 65646.
20/4/14 Q. Can anyone give us the year built
for the following Allis-Chalmers Tractors: WC, S/N 4094; WC, S/N
24810; WC, S/N 56006. Eugene Boryca, 707 E. 9th St., Columbus, NE
68601. A. Although we will soon be starting a detailed history of
Allis-Chalmers, we haven’t gotten the serial number together
yet. Hopefully one of our readers can help.
20/4/15 Q. W. T. Ledford, 176 E. Jefferson St.,
Box 231, Hoschton, GA 30548 would like to know the connection
between the Lansing Company and the Alamo people. The adjacent
drawings show that the decal outline for the Lansing is nearly the
same as the Alamo. We believe there must have been some company
ties.
A. So far we haven’t received any
information on this question. Hopefully, someone has researched
this connection, if indeed it existed.
20/4/16 Q. Can anyone supply the proper paint
color for a Cushman Cub, Model R-5 engine? Vincent Little, RD
r, Lowman, NY 14861.
A. We believe these engines to be a dark bluish gray, but have
no comparable paint number at this time.
20/4/17 Q. We are looking for the proper color
of green paint for a Cushman Cub 2 HP, Model R-14 engine. Wayne
S. LeCompte, Municipal Bldg., Lake-wood, NJ 08701.
A. Once again, we are not sure of the proper
shade. To date no one has sent us any information on the proper
paint colors for the Cushman line. Would someone favor us with this
information?
20/4/18 Q. Can anyone supply us with
information on operating and maintaining a 25 HP Black Bear engine
built by Oil Well Supply Company of Pittsburg, Pa. Would also like
to know the paint color; was it light black or dark black?
Robert Womack, Box 292, Goldthwaite, TX 76844.
20/4/19 Q. Roger Booth and Engle Snyder 01712
Royal Heights Road, Belleville, IL 62223 write that they have a New
Way Model CH engine, 5 HP size with a Moon Turbine Co. generator.
It is rated at 110 volts, 2.4 kw. They would like to have some
information on restoring both the engine and generator. The color
appears to be black and red. Generator is belt driven.
A. Late model New Way engines continued to use
a certain amount of maroon color, and we believe that the deep
green of earlier models was still used to some extent even in later
years. Beyond that, our well is dry concerning this particular
unit.
20/4/20 Q. Carroll Chase, Concord, VT 05824
encloses this photograph of the Frisbie Motor referred to in
20/2/48. So far he has received very little information on it.
A. Perhaps this photograph will prime the
pump.
20/4/21 Q. What is the history of decals? When
were they first used, and by whom? What is the process like today?
Vernon Peterson, 762g-48th Ave. No., Minneapolis, MN
55428.
A. Now here’s an interesting subject for
research. To put it simplistically, the old-style transfer decals
were little more than layers of paint, thus they were very fragile.
Today’s pressure-sensitive decals use mylar or other materials
for a backing, with special inks being applied to ,this material.
Again, perhaps some of our subscribers are knowledgeable in this
work.
20/4/22 Greg Stephen, Stephen Equipment
Company, Box 89, Franktown, CO 80116 reports that he can be of help
in locating John Deere engine parts. Mr. Stephen also reports that
John Deere igniter points are available under Part Number E2234RT.
Interested readers may wish to contact Mr. Stephen at the above
address.
20/4/23 J. Roger Kilton, Kilton Rd., RR 3, West
Canaan, NH 03741 is hoping to contact anyone with a Great Western
gas engine built by Smith Manufacturing Company, Chicago,
Illinois.
20/4/24 Following the recent discussion of
freeing stuck pistons, Mr. Edwin H. Bredemeier, RR 1, Box 13,
Steinauer, NE 68441 gives the following: Remove the head and place
a block of wood or a pipe the exact size of the piston with a
perfectly true surface next to the piston. Put a small amount of
pressure on the piston, and then pour very hot water into the water
jacket around the cylinder wall, causing it to expand away from the
piston. Mr. Steinauer further inquires for the reason why some 1938
model Case tractors used what appears to be a brass connecting
rod.
20/4/25 Q. What is the bore and stroke of a 3
HP New Holland engine? In addition to American Gas Engines and two
reprints, is any other information available on the New Holland
engines? Craig S. Thompson, RR 3, Box 323, Orange, VA
22960.
A. We don’t have the bore and stroke
dimensions before us, but perhaps someone who owns a 3 HP New
Holland would give us this information. Literature on the New
Holland engines seems to be very hard to locate, but perhaps one of
our readers might have something to share.
20/4/26 Q. Can anyone tell us about the
forklift shown in this photograph? The engine nameplate reads:
Vaughn Motor Company, Portland, Oregon. It uses a Wico Series C
magneto, a Stromberg UR-3/4 carburetor. The engine is one-cylinder,
four-cycle. The lift is entirely chain driveno hydraulics, and uses
one speed forward and one speed reverse. Landis W. Zimmerman,
RR4, Box 140, Lititz, PA 17543-
A. This appears to be the same company that
built the Vaughn Drag Saw for a good many years. Aside from that,
the Reflector has nothing to offer, but perhaps one of our readers
can offer some advice.
20/4/27 Q. I have an F-20 Farmall and a 10-20
McCormick-Deering tractor, and have been told that we can run
either detergent or non-detergent oil in them. Is this true? Also,
what are the proper paint colors for these tractors? James Martin,
Maiden Rock, WI 54750.
A. In our opinion, stay with the non-detergent
oil! Mark this, it is our opinion only the Reflector is no
engineer, and probably would be better off not even voicing an
opinion on the subject. The paint colors are discussed in 20/4/9
above.
20/4/28 Q. Can anyone tell us what happened to
the Muncie Oil Engine Company? Fred G. Rohde, 16244 Wallace Avenue,
South Holland, IL 60473.
A. During our research of American Gas Engines
we determined that production ended about 1924. Whether the company
was bought out by another, or whether the factory was simply
converted to another use remains unknown to us. Can anyone tell us
what brought about the demise of this Muncie, Indiana company?
Pouring Bearings, 20/3/27 Bob Seely, RR #3, Box
176, Warrensburg, MO 64093, writes that modeling clay as used in
schools is an excellent material for use as a tinker’s dam. It
can be used repeatedly. Mr. Seely also notes that he has his best
success by pouring the lower half first. This may require some
finishing off of the top, but after doing so, place solid cardboard
shims over the stud so they fit tightly to the shaft. Dam up the
outside and pour the top half through the oil hole. Afterward,
drill out the hole. We also offer our thanks for an extensive
listing of paint colors he had provided us. (In the original
article of 20/3/27, the Reflector neglected to note that after
pouring and fitting the bearing, oil grooves should be cut into the
babbitt. We usually take a very small cape chisel for this, but
also find that grinding a tool bit about 1/16 to
1/8 inch wide with a rounded point will work
quite well, especially if you put it in the lathe tool holder and
use this as a hand scraper to cut the groove. We aim for a
crosswise groove in the bottom of the bearing, which is the width
of the tool and extends very nearly to each end of the bearing
shell. Another such groove in the top box, going right across the
oil hole will do no harm either. The important thing is to never
cut the grooves entirely to the end of the bearing shell.)
Regarding this subject, Matt Osvold, RR 1, Fort Ripley, MN 56449
writes that a plaster mold works very well in two halves. First,
tape sides of bearing, Fig. 2. Use silicone mold release or grease
to prevent mold sticking to bearing. Lay bearing face down on a
piece of glass for smooth surface. Tape all around flask to prevent
leaking. Then pour a thin mixture of plaster to fill flask. After
plaster is hard, bake in oven at 200 degrees for 4-5 hours to get
remaining moisture out of plaster. Leave bearing in mold and
silicone surface of mold. Clamp the two halves together and repeat
baking. If you want bearing thicker, tape all edges before pouring
plaster. Drill pour spout and air vents, pre-heat mold before
pouring babbitt to prevent cracking the mold. Finished product
should be a flawless bearing. Mold can be used over and over
again.
On this same subject, Lee W. Pedersen, 78 Taft Avenue,
Lyn-brook, NY 11563 writes that he has reprinted a 7-page booklet
originally published by Hoyt’s Metals, and old babbitt company.
Mr. Pedersen sent us a complimentary copy of this one, and it will
answer almost any question in this regard. It is available from Mr.
Pedersen at nominal cost. We highly recommend it to anyone wanting
to learn the art of pouring bearings!
20/3/41 Mr. Lee Pedersen also informs us that
he has been selling ignitor points for over five years. These
points are made from an alloy suited to the purpose, rather than
ordinary steel as found in rivets or nail heads. Mr. Pedersen is a
perennial advertiser in GEM.
20/3/48 Dr. Donald H. Barnes, 1610 West-wood
Dr., Suite 2, San Jose, CA 95125 writes that the U.S. Motor
Corporation marine engines used a medium red paint. (The Reflector
did some comparing and concludes it is closely comparable to DuPont
Dulux 93-066-H). The head, ignition assembly, flywheel, and air
valve were painted red. The cylinder and crank-case are blue
(comparable to DuPont 93-79033 ). Dr. Barnes also notes that most
of these engines used a Wico EK magneto.
20/3/3 Regarding the connection between Ideal
Mower Company and Ideal Motor Company, Mr. Louis Chapo, 2530 lone
Street, Sacramento, CA 95821 writes that the 1924 issue of
National Geographic Magazine indicates that R. E. Olds was
Chairman of the Board. The corporate offices were located at 422
Kalamazoo St., Lansing, Michigan. At this point the advertising
indicated IDEAL POWER LAWN MOWERS.
A 1928 National Geographic advertised the Ideal Power
Lawn Mower Company’s ‘Ideal Twenty’, with further
indications that three larger models were also built, and again
listing the same corporate address as before. Mr. Chapo notes that
Ideal Motor Company and Ideal Power Lawn Mower Company were one and
the same company, and further suggests that anyone having 1928 and
later issues of National Geographic might be able to put
this question to rest.
20/1/20 Mr. Fred L Runninger, RR 8, Box 100,
Harrisonburg, VA 22801 forwards a clipping from the Industrial
Product Directory which lists United Mineral & Chemical
Corporation, 129 Hudson St., New York, NY 10013 as a manufacturer
of mica tubing and many other mica products.
20/3/19 Regarding the S & H marine engines
built by Perkins Bros., Carl M. Lathrop, 108 Garfield Ave.,
Madison, NJ 07940 writes the following: The S & H engine is
listed in Old Marine Engines by Stan Grayson, (ISBN 0-87742-155-2)
and is available from International Marine Publishing Company,
Camden, ME 04843.
20/3/15 Responding to the correct color for IHC
Type M engines, this color has been closely matched by John
Hamilton, 461 Algonquin PL, Webster Groves, MO 63119. The match is
DuPont Centari Enamel, 5800A, GMC green. (This color can probably
be cross matched to Dulux enamel as well. Ed.). Mr. Hamilton also
notes that their 6 HP Type M was hopelessly stuck, with the entire
sleeve and piston coming out of the block. Placing this entire mass
in a bed of charcoal for several hours did the trick. Mr. Hamilton
also wishes to know whether there are any other magneto magnets
that will fit the IHC Type R magneto.
20/2/53 Prince E. Stevens, Rt. 1-A, Box 550,
Gardiner, ME 04345 sends us some photographs of his Mietz &
Weiss engine, a design we find to be most interesting.
20/2/51 Regarding the type of grease to use in
gasoline engine bearings, James B. Romans, 9111 Louis Avenue,
Silver Spring, MD tells us that automotive wheel bearing grease
seems to work quite well. Because of its consistency, it seems to
stand high temperatures and centrifugal force. Mr. Romans also
finds this material to be very useful in lubricating open spur
gears, as it tends to cling better than any other lubricant he has
tried.
20/1/9 Richard Hornung, 211 S. Green, #3,
Madrid, IA 50156 writes that the engine the Reflector identified as
a Kohler in that article is actually an Onan W-2C Series Generating
Plant. Mr. Hornung also notes that Onan built these units for
Montgomery Ward &l Company.
A CLOSING WORD
In visiting with our colleagues around the country, one of the
first questions posed to us is WHY anyone would want the monthly
hassle of assembling a column such as this one! Although in moments
of frustration, we sometimes ask the same question, the real answer
is quite simple we enjoy it! During the past few years we have been
fortunate in spending virtually all of our time somehow involved in
the history of mechanical power, whether it be steam engines, gas
engines, or farm tractors. We believe that the vast minority of
people go through life doing something they really enjoy, so we
consider ourselves most fortunate.
After several issues now, we believe that we are getting a
system developed that works for us, for Stemgas Publishing, and
most importantly, for you, the reader. Without the reader, the
first two personalities would perish. Your continuing support for
Reflections is very gratifying to us, and we hope to make your
efforts on our behalf worthwhile.
Please let us hear from you regarding the paint color schemes.
We desperately need this information for future publication. As we
noted at the beginning of the column, if you don’t have the
EXACT color, at least send us the approximate color scheme. Even
that much is helpful for somebody who has no idea of the color
scheme. With sufficient response, we will assemble this material
into booklet form. Also, don’t hesitate to use Rust-Oleum
numbers or whatever else you have. We’ll make do with whatever
we can find!
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.
