As this column reaches you, several good sized shows will have
already taken place with yet more to follow. It’s always of
great interest to see what ‘new’ engines appear each
year-engines that were tucked away in old barns and even more
remote locations. Some of these are rarities indeed, and it’s
nice to see that at least one example of them still survives.
Several people have questioned us on Cushman engines with the
Schebler carburetors. It seems that the engine ran fine last fall,
but this spring runs poorly or not at all. Many times the cause is
a broken cork gasket between the uptake in the center of the bowl
and the corresponding flange in the center of the cover. If this
gasket starts leaking air, it will be difficult to regulate the
engine, and maybe impossible. We’ve seen Schebler carburetors
with a gasket on the outer flange of the bowl. They don’t use a
gasket there-only in the center! Should you need a new center
gasket, cut one out of 1/8 cork. Since cork is very compressible,
this makes an absolutely airtight joint.
This month’s questions begin with:
22/7/1
Q. Can you identify the engine shown in the
photograph? It looks like the engine would run if we knew how to
get fuel to it.Jack Halbirt, Rt 6, Box 186, Athens, OH
45701.
A. Your engine was built by DeTamble Motors
Co., Anderson, Indiana beginning about 1908 and ending with
bankruptcy in 1913. A manifold goes between the two intake ports
shown in the photo-it sweeps downward, with the carburetor being
located right beneath the crankshaft. An excellent illustration may
be found on page 130 of American Gasoline Engines. The DeTamble was
built primarily for automotive uses.
22/7/2
Q.Dennis Silva, 10 Arrowhead Drive,
Griswold, CT 06351 sends a photocopy of the Piersen engine
designed by E. B. Cushman. Originally the company was known as
Piersen Telegraph Transmitter Co. at Topeka, Kansas. This was later
shortened to The Piersen Company. Mr. Silva will be sending some
additional material in later on, and we look forward to it. We also
extend our thanks for a whole stack of garden tractor photocopies
Dennis sent out a while back.
The Superior PIERSEN
A superior type of sturdy, light- weight, portable and smooth
running 5 H.P. motor
22/7/3
Q. Can you supply information on the following
engines: Sandwich, s/n A26446; Lindsay-Alamo, s/n 97102; Barco, s/n
B7897. Mike Timm, Route 1, Box 100, Weyauwega, WI
54983.
A. To our knowledge, no serial number listings
exist for the above engines. Literature concerning them is
available through several GEM advertisers, some of whom offer
catalogs at nominal cost.
22/7/4
Q. Enclosed is a photo of a REO engine built by
Reo Motor Car Co., Lansing, Michigan, s/n 14384. All that is
missing is the carburetor, but we need information on the proper
carburetor, timing, proper color, or any other data that might be
helpful. Burton E. Marsh, Rt 3, Box 226-C, Madison, AL
35758.
A. We would suggest this engine to be from a
Reo Touring Car of 1905-1910 vintage. Although we have no
substantive information on it, you might find what you need on the
automotive scene-there may even be a Reo touring car sitting
neglected for lack of an engine!
22/7/5
Q. On page 121 of your book, 150 Years of
International Harvester you discuss the unique water cooling system
used on the 1HC Famous engines. How does this system work? Ray
R. Rylander, 805 E. San Rafael St., Colorado Springs, CO
80903.
A. IHC Famous Vertical engines used a small
piston-type water pump operated from the cam gear. It was a
self-contained pump with all the check valves built into the pump
body. A frost-proof feature was added by intentionally making the
suction check so that a certain amount of leakage was built in.
When the engine was shut down, the water would automatically drain
from the cylinder back into the reservoir. A small handle on the
side of the pump body regulated the travel of the suction check,
allowing the volume of water to be regulated manually, thus
controlling the cylinder temperature. All in all, this setup was
very ingenious indeed!
22/7/6
Mrs. M. Simpson, 32 Shirley Road, Roseville, N.S.W., Australia
2069 requests information world wide on preservation groups,
museums, libraries, and archives regarding agricultural machines
and implements. If you have any information to share, kindly
contact Mrs. Simpson at the above address. They have almost
completed a book on agricultural machines available in Australia
between 1880 and 1930, so the information requested above would be
a logical ‘follow-up.’
22/7/7
Q. I am in the process of buying and bringing
to my museum a Marshall Sons & Co. Ltd. engine 0/50 HP size.
Built at Gainsboro, England, it is of vertical, two-cycle design,
diesel, and with air starting. Would like to know approximately how
much this engine weighs, as I plan to buy it by the pound.
Frank G. Wilson, River Road at Basketville, Putney, VT
05346.
A. It’s tough to estimate the weight of
large engines, especially those of British manufacture, since they
used an awful lot of cast iron. Having nothing but intuition to go
by, we would guess it to weigh somewhere around 15-20,000
pounds.
22/7/8
Q. Can you give us further information on this
Stover DVA-2 engine, s/n DC 266275. Also see photo of my home-built
tractor using a Lansing Company 1 HP engine.Bud Berry, 3107 1st
St., Vero Beach, FL 32962.
A. Your engine was built in November, 1939.
Stover only built 371 of the DVA-2 engines between 1938 and
1941.
22/7/9
Q. Can you supply information on a Hiberson
Diesel Engine, Type T-1020, Series 4, 1942 models. Address of the
company shown on nameplate is Harvey, Illinois and Dallas, Texas.
The engine is radial and air cooled. Robert Wolf skill, 11150
W. Idaho Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226.
A. We have no data at all on this engine.
22/7/10
Q. I would be interested in hearing from anyone
collecting and restoring log saws, and specifically would like
further information on an Ottawa log saw, s/n C128347, such as age,
color, etc. It uses a Webster magneto, 303K62. Jason Remer,
Route 3, Box 379, Russellville, AR 72801.
A. We do not know of any serial number listings
for Ottawa, but since there are quite a few of these left, perhaps
someone with a serial number close to yours might have some idea of
its age.
22/7/11
Q. I have an engine from Vaughan Motor Works,
Portland, Oregon. It has one flywheel with a clutch and chain
sprocket. Any information will be appreciated. Harry Van Woert,
6499 W. Bristol Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473.
A. These engines were used on log saws, with
the West Coast lumber industry being a major user. Quite a number
of these still exist, so perhaps another owner might be able to
help you with proper color scheme etc.
22/7/12
Q. Can you identify this tractor. The picture
is dated 1923. It was used to till vineyards on the Middle Bass
Island in Lake Erie. The young man on the wheel is my late
great-uncle August Kuemmel. At first glance it looks like an
Allis-Chalmers 6-12 or a Moline Universal, but neither of these
built the gear-box and differential at a level with the front wheel
hubs. I’m anxious to hear from anyone with the answer, and will
try to reply to all letters. Will Cummings, 506 S. Washington
St., Castalia, OH 44824.
A. The Reflector almost made the mistake of
calling it a Moline Universal, but after studying the photo
we’re not confident that it is.
22/7/13
Q.Robert K. Hall, 371 West 400 ‘North,
American Fork, Utah 84003 would like information on a Stewart
engine by Chicago Flexible Shaft Co. and used for sheep shearing.
It is 2 HP, 550 rpm, and carries s/n KA167208.
A. We checked the Stover production records,
and sure enough, your engine was shipped to Chicago Flexible Shaft
from Stover in November, 1925. Therefore we are confident it is a
Stover engine, with a photocopy of the original instructions being
available from the Reflector.
22/7/14
Ben J. Kinsinger, Kinsinger Engine Service, RD 1,
Meyersdale, PA 15552writes that he has an old parts book with
all the IHC Victor, Famous, and Titan engines from 1 to 50 HP. If
it would help anyone on parts numbers or dates, Mr. Kinsinger will
be glad to provide information or photocopies of desired items.
Also see photo of our 2 HP Famous Jr. Vertical Hopper Cooled
engine.
In return for receiving this material, be so kind as to provide
a stamped, self-addressed envelope plus a small token of
appreciation to cover the expense of copying and mailing. The
Editors.
22/7/15
Thanks to David Milholland, 1578 Yokeko Drive, Anacortes, WA
98221 for sending the Reflector some additional information on the
early origins of the Cummins Engine Company. Mr. Milholland writes
that Cummins engines are very popular in his part of the world,
especially in the fishing industry. Mr. Milholland will be in
Alaska by the time this is in print-spending the summer fishing, as
he has done for the past 29 years. Good Luck!
22/7/16
Q.Robert Hoyer, P.O. Box One, Clayton, CA
94517 writes that he has just completed restoration of a
Fairbanks-Morse No. 1 Eclipse engine, using a black finish with
bright gold lettering. Mr. Hoyer asks whether these colors are
correct, and also questions the seeming lack of a crankcase
breather to prevent oil being forced out of the crankshaft
bearings.
A. We believe this engine to be finished in the
deep green comparable to DuPont 93-77161 Dulux enamel, as is used
on the ‘Z’ series engines. Regarding the oil problems,
perhaps you are carrying too much oil in the crankcase. The
instruction manual does a poor job of showing this, but it appears
that the oil level barely touches the bottom of the connecting rod.
No crankcase vent is shown.
22/7/17
Q. I need information on a Fairmont engine, s/n
58336. Mark Nedrow, Rt 1, Box 1945, Selah, WA 98942.
A. Write: Fairmont Railway Motors, Fairmont,
Minnesota for further information, or write their office at 1260
Virginia Drive, Ft. Washington, PA 19034.
22/7/18
Q. Would appreciate hearing from anyone with
information on restoring a scraper made by Western Wheeled Scraper
Co., Aurora, Illinois, including original colors. Wayne Hutton,
Clarence, MO 63437.
A. Austin Company merged with this firm many
years ago to form the Austin-Western Company. Chances are that very
few examples of your scraper still survive. Hopefully someone can
supply some further information.
22/7/19
Q. The photo below shows two old steel wheels,
5 inches wide and 28 inches in diameter. Would anyone know what
these were used on? Ken Kafka, 14450 Weld Co. Rd. 88,
Pierce, CO 80650.
A. These are obviously front tractor wheels as
evidenced by the skid rings, but perhaps some of our tractor
collectors might be able to identify them.
READERS WRITE
22/5/22 Parts Terminology
The term N.O.R.S. generally means ‘new old rusty stock’
indicating that the part or product is unused, of old manufacture,
but suffering rust and corrosion due to poor storage conditions.
The term was coined and popularized by swap meet vendors, primarily
those trading auto parts. The term N.O.S. signifies ‘new old
stock’ but was inadequate to describe the condition. Once a
part has been used, even when subsequently restored, it seems
unethical to call it ‘new.’ We need unified terms if we
expect to communicate with accuracy. And equally important, truth
in advertising had better start with ethical conduct, period.
Vendors being human, there are times we need to heed your advice,
‘Caveat emptor,’ (Let the buyer beware.) Jim Hardman, 9
Meadow Lane, North Caldwell, NY 07006.
22/5/17 Brownwall engine
We had a lot of letters regarding this one, and there is no
doubt it is a Brownwall. Several writers pointed out that
unfortunately the sheet metal cooling shroud is often gone, and it
held the nameplate with the serial number. Also there seems to be
convincing evidence that the Brownwall engines made at Lansing,
Michigan far outnumbered those built at Holland, Michigan.
21/12/20 Champion Blower & Forge Co.
Thomas Schoderbek, 1208 Arbor Ct., Mountain View, CA
94040 writes that he received several replies to this query,
for which he offers his thanks. He was also able to get some
information from: Dept. of Special Collections, University Library,
University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
22/4/38 ‘Nelson Bros.
This engine appears to be a Nelson Bros.-built engine, and is
very similar to the Sattley line sold by Montgomery Ward.
22/4/48 Worthington
This engine definitely seems to be a Worthington engine.
22/4/56
Late model Ottawa log saws were powered by Wisconsin air cooled
engines. (The above three responses were forward by Dick Hamp,
1772 Conrad Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124.
A Letter of Thanks
Ian Matthews, 3 Kaoriki Court, Condon 4815 North Queensland,
Australia personally wishes to thank Prince S. Stevens, David
C. Johnston and Howard W. Smith for responding to his earlier
query. Mr. Matthews comments, ‘I think this proves that GEM
will bring people from all over the world with similar interests a
little bit closer together.’
21/5/27 Jacobsen
This engine is a Jacobsen Jr. as used on lawnmowers. Maurice
Biehn, 2900 E. Lk Bonnet Rd., Avon Park, FL 33825.
22/5/29 Louisville Cubs
We had a bunch of letters on this one! Two variations were used,
as shown in the illustration. One has the cub holding a tractor,
and the other simply is holding an IHC emblem. These are gold in
color, and came from the early foundry pours at the IHC foundry in
Louisville. Then in 1974 came the Louisville Cadet, another cast
iron item, gold in color and honoring the IHC Cub Cadet Lawn
Tractors. Arch C. Plue Jr., 115 North Bohannon Lane, New Albany, IN
47150 notes that the first heat was poured in January, 1949. The
pattern for the bear was made in the shop and was poured during the
trial runs, with more made later. (Arch would also like to hear
from someone who has information on his Coleman Bros. gas engine
built at New Albany. He also writes that having worked at the
Louisville Works until 1980, he could do a good history of this
operation after some research). How about it Mr. Plue? We would
love to hear more about Louisville Works!
The above illustration of the cubs and cadet came to us courtesy
of Don Siefker, 705 W. Annie Drive, Muncie, IN 47303.
Allis-Chalmers tractors.
Dean Horbaker, Star Route, Tribune, KS 67879 poses some
questions to Andrew L. Michel’s article in the Dec. 1986 GEM,
page 27.
1. The AC tractor on page 33 of Dec. 1986 GEM is a 20-35
Model E. One way of telling the 20-35 from the 25-45 is the magneto
position. On the 20-35 it is on the left side, while the 25-45 has
it mounted on the right side, as did the later Model A. The later
style 20-35 was introduced in 1927.
2. The 25-45 was called an EK and was a bigger tractor,
and was probably a successor to the 20-35 Model E. I suspect that
the EK engine was refined and then later used in the Model A.
3. Nebraska Test No. 151 shows a 41/4
x 61/2 bore and stroke with 930 rpm on the
‘E’ and the EK tested under No. 193 used a 5 x
61/2 inch bore and stroke with 1000 rpm.
4. The Persian orange was first used on the
‘United’ tractor and the idea came from Harry Merritt of
A-C after he saw the brilliant orange wild poppies of
California.
5. The statement of ‘A-C was producing the A Model when
they bought out Rumely, and discontinued the Rumely 6, that engine
was produced 30-31 (Rumely 6)’ is not true. The Model A was
first sold in 1936 as stated in American Farm Tractors. Some of the
later Rumely 6 tractors had A-C Corporation on the name tag.
MODEL MAKERS CORNER
We had a pile of letters on our recent query concerning the
Atkinson engines. Several people have informed us that Mr. Joe
Tochtrop, 2028 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94118 has
developed dimensions, patterns and castings for this engine. Since
there seems to be considerable interest in this model, perhaps we
will be able to publish additional information as space
permits.
We have received a nice photo (See MC-1) of a Gade 1/3 scale
model built by Glen Stanford, 202 E. Madison, Fairfield, Iowa
52556. It is now owned by Susie Leimkuehler, Mt. Sterling,
Missouri.
We inadvertently omitted Star bolt Engine Supplies, 3403
Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, MD 21710 from our list of model engine
suppliers. Star bolt offers a considerable range of supplies,
castings, and accesory items.
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.
