Over the past month the Reflector has received a number of
interesting items, among them a series of very interesting photos
showing various Rumely tractors and machines at work. The photos
seem to have been taken somewhere in Texas. Somehow this series
remained intact, finally ending up at a flea market. Mr. J. O.
Rogers III, Box 205, Scurry, TX 75158 kindly forwarded these to the
Reflector for possible inclusion in a forthcoming treatise covering
Rumely and Allis-Chalmers equipment. Although some of these photos
will be used in the above mentioned title, we will also be
including some of them in GEM as time and space permit.
Richard H. Babbitt, RR 2, Box 95, Voluntown, CT 06384 forwarded
some original and reprint material to us on Associated and Economy
engines. This material is especially valuable to us, since we
previously had nothing covering these models. It is already on file
for future use.
Thanks to the above correspondents for sending this material,
and thanks to all of you who have sent in paint numbers, serial
number data, and other information over the past weeks and
months.
We also have some new information to share with you in the
Model-maker’s Corner this month. By the way, we ask the
question once again: Is there anyone with patterns, drawings, or
castings of a Corliss steam engine somewhat larger than the one
available from Cole’s? Their Corliss is
11/4x21/2 bore and
stroke. In our opinion, while this is a fine model, it is too much
like making a pocket watch, and we would prefer something a bit
larger, say 21/2 x 5 inches. At one time
there were some castings and patterns available from a man in
Michigan-we made some contacts there several years ago, but the
owner subsequently moved away, so that brought our inquiries to a
dead-end. Our queries to the people holding the Frick Company
drawings indicate that they have insufficient drawings of the
original Frick Corliss, so that also leads to a dead end. Any
information we receive will be shared in this column.
This month’s queries begin with:
22/6/1 Q. I am restoring a Red-E garden
tractor, patent no’s. 1,578,343 and 1,701,726. Built by Pioneer
Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The plows are gone, and I would
like to know how the plows are attached to the tractor. Would also
like to contact someone with a Waterloo Boy 5 HP kerosene engine.
Mine has all the firing parts gone and the throttle rod is gone,
the fuel pump and carburetor are gone. Earl Henry, Box 55, Hasty,
AR 72640.
A. Red-E garden tractors have two vertically
positioned bosses cast into the rear of the tractor unit. These
bosses accept pins which connect attached implements through a pair
of cast links. To change from one implement to another, all that is
necessary is to pull the two pins. The only thing we can suggest on
the Waterloo Boy engine is to start attending the swap meets and
engine shows to perhaps find the parts. This is somewhat like
playing a slot machine in Las Vegas- the odds are against you, but
even then, sometimes you are lucky!
22/6/2 Q. What year is a Case 500 diesel
tractor, s/n 8035833? L. E. Gray, 2203 Garden St., Hopewell, VA
23860.
A. It was built in 1954.
22/6/3 Q. I have a Cushman engine, 4 HP, Model
C upright engine. Was wondering if the bearings get oil only from
the drip oiler or if some oil was put in the crankcase. It has no
place to check the oil, only a drain cock on the bottom. Boyd Young
RR 1, Box 30, McCool junction, NE 68401.
A. Cushman ‘binder’ engines use a
splash system in the crankcase. Their instruction manual notes that
the one oil cup on the side of the cylinder is the only oiling
point, and it should feed at 10-12 drops per minute, or more if the
engine is under a heavy load. Remove the plug on the back of the
crankcase for supplying oil. Occasionally drain the oil down to
proper level by opening the drain cock. To be sure the bottom of
the connecting rod is hitting the oil, remove the cover plate and
see where the oil level needs to be for this to occur. Do not have
too much oil in the crankcase however, or it will make its way out
of the bearings in profusion.
22/6/4 Q. I need a manual and pictures for an
Alpha 11/2 HP engine, Type E-172, HP
W-11/2, speed 525, no. 58967. The De-Laval
Separator Co. Can anyone tell me the date of manufacture or any
other information. Jack E. Marlar, 1213 Greenpond Road, Fountain
Inn, SC 29644.
A. Without a photograph it’s sometimes hard
to know, but quite possibly your engine was built by John Lauson at
New Holstein, Wisconsin.
22/6/5 Q. I have an engine with the following
nameplate: Wonder Gasoline Engine, 2 HP, s/n 333779, Waterloo
Cement Machinery Corp’n., Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.A. It is 33/4 x 5
inch bore and stroke. On cleaning the engine up the original dark
green color appeared. Any information will be appreciated. Carl H.
Heniman, 4320 Kings Canyon Road, Carson City, NV 89701.
A. Waterloo Cement Machinery Company built
cement mixers, but did not, repeat, did not build gas engines. They
bought their engines, apparently from the lowest bidder, since
Stover, Fuller & Johnson, Novo, and perhaps other engines show
up on these mixers, many of them having the ‘Wonder’
name-plate. This practice was not at all uncommon-many companies
sold engines under their own tradename and with their own
nameplate, even though they had nothing at all to do with engine
building. A photo of your engine would be helpful in determining
the origins of your engine.
22/6/6 Q. I have an Ideal engine built by Ideal
Power Lawn Mower Co., s/n J2634, Lansing, Michigan, Pat. June 29,
1920. Would like to know when the engine was made, and would like
to know matching paint color for the medium green paint on this
engine. Glenn Burroughs, 317 Hunting Lane, Goode, VA 24556.
A. Our files don’t have much on Ideal, but
certainly some of our readers have the proper paint color.
22/6/7 Q. Can anyone out there in engine land
give me the name and address of the company in England that makes
one-cylinder diesel engines? Henry E. Haley, Baldwinville Road,
Templeton, MA 01468.
A. We assume you mean current manufacture, and
believe there are several, but we do not have current addresses.
Now’s the time for you readers over in England to drop us and
Mr. Haley a line!
22/6/8 Q. I have a Monitor 11 HP horizontal
engine. I know the smaller ones were painted gray, but wasn’t
sure of the color on the larger ones. A friend told me he had seen
one painted red. Harold Summers, RR 2, Box 102, Waverly, IL
62692.
A. So far as we know, the Monitor vertical
engines were red, that is except for the pump jack which was gray.
As a boy I remember two of these that my father wore out. After the
engines got tired, he pulled off the cylinder, bolted a plank
across the top, and mounted an electric motor. Belted to the big
flywheel, we pumped from a 200 ft. well for years with a
1/2 HP motor. So, I well remember the Monitor
pumpjack! Every horizontal we have ever seen was gray, large or
small. We may stand corrected, but we believe your engine was also
gray, not red.
22/6/9 Q. I have a Sandwich
11/2 HP engine, and need parts and
information on it. Would appreciate hearing from anyone in this
regard. Ed Schnurr, 12 Cedrus Road, Sharon, MA 02067.
22/6/10 Ron Coulson, Box 183, Golden, BC VOA
1HO Canada sends a pencil sketch of an unidentified marine engine.
It is 21/2 x 3 inch bore and stroke, uses a
brass connecting rod. The crankcase is brass. Traces of gray paint
appear, even on the brass parts. Outside of part numbers there is
no identification. Some of the numbers include: flywheel, #42;
Crankcase, 9B and 10B; cylinder, 1B. Any information will be
appreciated.
A. Although we cannot identify the
engine, we can comment on the heavy use of brass in this regard.
Marine engines, especially those headed for salt water made heavy
use of brass to minimize corrosion. That’s one reason. Another
is that many small shops were able to pour brass castings, but had
no facilities or equipment to pour gray iron. Thus, by using brass
they were able to make their own castings, probably doing so at a
cost comparable to farming the castings out, paying freight,
etc.
22/6/11 Q. Can you suggest methods for cleaning
brass? Eldon Kauffman, 8360 Price Hilliard road, Plain City, OH
43064.
A. Brass cleaners abound, but keeping brass
nice and bright is the problem. Of the commercial products, we like
‘Brasso’ as well as anything. However, some years ago, the
late Lester L. Roos at Geneseo, Illinois gave the Reflector some
gallon jugs of brass cleaner that beat anything we have ever seen.
I believe it was used to clean up old water meters that were being
serviced. We don’t know the name of this stuff or whether it is
still available. All that was necessary was to degrease the
brass-it won’t cut through grease. After dipping the brass
items for a few minutes, then hosing off with water, the brass is
clean as can be, although it has a matte finish. Following this, by
dipping the brass in a pink-colored liquid, the brass is prevented
from tarnishing for some time. This material also came from Lester,
but again, we have no idea what it is, even though we
unsuccessfully tried to find out. We’ll try to compile some
formulas old and new that show up in Henley’s Formulas and
other places in a future issue. One other note – we find that
Krylon Clear finish does a reasonably good job of preserving
polished brass. The important thing is to thoroughly clean the
brass, using lacquer thinner or a solvent that will absolutely
degrease the brass first. Otherwise it’s a waste of time.
22/6/12 Q. When did Fairbanks-Morse build the
Style D, 2 HP engine with the single flywheel? Jim Bishop, Rt. 1,
200 St. East, Hastings, MN 55033.
A. Fairbanks-Morse introduced this engine in
1928, apparently as a 11/2 HP model, and
raising it to a 2 HP rating in the mid-1940’s. It was built
until 1948.
22/6/13 Q. Would appreciate any information on
this engine (see photo). The nameplate reads: St. Louis Gas &
Gasoline Engine Co., St. Louis, Mo. Some specifications:
4’Cycle, gasoline, water cooled, open crankcase, vertical
marine type. 4 x 41/2 inch bore and stroke,
jump spark ignition. Any information on this engine will be
appreciated. Also would like to know the year built on the
following engines: McCormick-Deering M, 3 HP, s/n W36393; Stover
11/2 HP K129479. Lawrence E. Bliss, 920 Crane
Avenue South, Taunton, MA 02780.
A. The 3 HP M was built in 1930; the
Stover 11/2 K on June 23, 1921.
22/6/14 Robert Van Syckel, RR 1, Box 50,
Moweaqua, IL 62550 would like to obtain the correct gray paint
color for the Twin City, Minneapolis tractors.
22/6/15 Rich Howard, Hysham, MT 59038 writes
that he has been successful in freeing stuck pistons by the
following method: Plug the valve ports by whatever means
necessary-these are often threaded, so this is usually no problem.
Completely fill the combustion chamber with automatic transmission
fluid so there are no air pockets. I then hook this up to the
tractor hydraulic system and it pushes the piston right out. I have
never broken anything, but this may be possible.
The Reflector comments: Mr. Howard notes that tractor hydraulics
develop upwards of 3000 psi, and for ourselves, we might worry a
bit about the process, particularly in the hands of those
unaccustomed to power hydraulic systems. Consider the immense
forces here-a 4-inch piston under a pressure of 3,000 pounds has a
push of 37,710 pounds, or about 181/2 tons!
We still prefer a hand hydraulic pump or a grease gun – it gives
the operator a better feel of what is happening. With this
suggestion or other, take notice that this column only shares
information – you are on your own so far as methodology is
concerned. This is not intended in any way as a criticism of Mr.
Howard’s suggestion, but the Reflector is no mechanical
engineer, so we are in no position to talk about safe methods
except for the old caveat about using common sense. In other words,
be careful!
22/6/16 Oscar B. Kinnard, Route 3, Box 888,
Bemidji, MN 56601 writes concerning a misspelling in the article on
Oscar Cooke’s Dreamland Museum (GEM, Bef., 1987). It is not
‘Flower City,’ but ‘Flour City’ tractors. This
comes from the fact that the Flour City was built at Minneapolis, a
major flour milling center. If any Flour City owners, be it
tractors, engines, or other equipment will write, I will respond to
their letters.
The Reflector comments: We have talked with Mr. Kinnard by phone
several times. He is a grandson of Owen B. Kinnard, a principal in
Kinnard & Sons Mfg. Co. Mr. Kinnard is looking for any history
or information on the company-the majority was destroyed years
ago.
22/6/17 Q. Can anyone supply information on how
to build a magnet charger? Alfio Sapienza, 55061 Bittersweet Road,
Mishawaka, IN 46545.
A. For the neophyte, excellent magneto
information is found in Fundamentals of Magneto Ignition published
several years ago by Fairbanks-Morse and available through several
GEM advertisers. Building a magnet charger is a very time consuming
job, and although we have a couple of diagrams, they look to us
like the finished charger won’t be large enough to do a good
job of charging. However, we suggest that an easier way would be to
either advertise in GEM or watch at the swap meets and shows for a
magnet charger-they appear occasionally, and these
commercially-made jobs will throw a real charge into the
magnets.
22/6/18 Q. I just bought an unusual generator
and would like to know more about it. The specifications are:
Eugene L. Richter Electric Co., Philadelphia, Penna. S/N 1824, 1
HP, 110 volt, 1,300 rpm. John D. Miller III, RR 1, Box 18,
Fishersville, VA 22939.
22/6/19 Jack Harrell, Box 142, Roanoke, IN
46783 sends a photo of his engine built by Propulsion Engine
Corporation, Kansas City, Kansas, s/n 117478. Any information will
be appreciated.
22/6/20 Q. We have a very early WD-40 tractor,
1935 vintage. Is the paint color the same as the F series tractors
of the same vintage? Could the earlier WD-40 tractors have had the
TD-40 crawler engines? Should all WD-40 tractors have road
wheels?
Secondly, we have an early PD-40 power unit with vertical
injectors. What color should it be, and what is the weight?
Thirdly, we have a 1938 W-40. Again, the color scheme is needed
and we need to know if decals are available that specifically state
W-40 and not WA-40 or WK-40.
Finally, are any manuals or copies available for these early
diesel units and for the W-40? Herb and Eric Best, Box 63,
Chilhowee, MO 64733.
A. Since your questions go farther into some
aspects of IHC research than we have materials for, we turn this
one out to our readers, especially those who have gone in depth on
the early diesels.
22/6/21 Kent M. Savis, 117 Kingston Road,
Parsippany, NJ 07054 sends a photocopy from USDA Farmer’s
Bulletin 1526 which shows a gasoline engine adapted to a
power-driven auger. Not an ordinary auger, but one designed for
drilling holes in stumps to facilitate burning! Ah, the many uses
for the gasoline engine!
22/6/22 Q. We have had this engine for years,
but no one has been able to identify it. It is similar to another
identified engine pictured on page 12 of the July-August 1979 GEM.
Any help will be appreciated. Alan R. Bills, 611 Randall R.D.,
Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
A. After checking American Gas Engines, we
wonder if it might not be an engine built by H. J. Criner,
Burlington, Iowa (see page 113). To be sure, there are some
differences, but there is also a striking similarity.
22/6/23 Q. What is the original color scheme
for a General GG tractor made by Cleveland Tractor Co. Leonard L.
Butz, RR 1, 5 Points Rd., Kingston, IL 60145.
22/6/24 Q. In July, 1986 GEM you give the
address of Mrs. Nelda J. Busby of Oil Well Division as the source
for serial number information on Witte Engines. So far I have
received no response from them and was hoping you could help me.
Also, what is the proper green color for Witte engines? Richard
McBie, RR 2, Greentop, MO 63546.
A. We’re not sure why you have not had a
response from Oil Well, but perhaps it might be time to renew your
query to them. Aside from this method, we have no way of
determining the age of your engine, since Witte’ engines were
not built in any specific numeric sequence. The approximate
equivalent is DuPont Dulux 93-5800 green.
22/6/25 Q. I have seen washing machines before,
but never one like this (see photos). Can anyone give me any
information on this machine. Would like to correspond with anyone
with information or other owners so I can exactly reproduce the
missing cover. Richard Ste-Marie, 40 Georges Candiac, P.Q.,
Canada.
A. We think yours is an old Troy commercial
washer as used in custom laundries years ago. However, we have no
information on the Troy, so hopefully some of our readers can
help.
22/6/26 Q. What is the year built and color for
the following: Stover CT-2, s/n TB 41004; also a Fairbanks-Morse Z,
Style D, 2 HP, s/n 822445. Wm. Lucas, Box 337, 5 Mile Road,
Lakeview, MI 48850.
A. We’re missing a digit on the Stover
number – the CT-2 would be late enough to have a 6-digit number.
These were painted a dark brewster green. The Fairbanks-Morse is a
1941 model – we have seen these in gray as well as in the usual
Fairbanks-Morse green.
22/6/27 I need information on a 1 HP
Worthington engine as shown on page 565 of American Gas Engines.
Any letters will be appreciated. Franklin L. Roof jr., 13188 St.
Rt. 68 South, Kenton, OH 43326 or call 419/673-8234.
22/6/28 Q. I have a combination engine-air
compressor for starting large engines. The tag reads: Superior
Engine Co., Springfield, Ohio. Manufactured by Otto Engine Works
Division, Philadelphia, Pa. Model BL, s/n 23; Maximum pressure for
intermittent starting service 300 lbs.; rpm 800. The engine has a 4
inch bore and stroke, and the compressor uses a 3 x 4 inch bore and
stroke. Would like to correspond with someone having an engine like
this. As several of the parts have OTTO cast in, I think it was
built by Otto and Superior put their tag on it when they took over
the plant in 1923. R. H. STein, P.O. Box 319, Pemberville, OH
43450.
A. On page 367 of American Gas Engines it is
noted that Otto Gas Engine Works failed, for all practical
purposes, to exist as an independent entity when the U.S.
Government expropriated Otto under the ‘Trading with the Enemy
Act’ during World War One. Whether Superior operated the
Philadelphia plant for the U.S. Government until finally acquiring
Otto’s assets in 1923 remains unclear.
22/6/29 Q. What is the proper orange color for
the Sheppard tractors made in the 1950’s by R. H. Shepard Co.,
Hannover, Pa.? Would like to hear from anyone who can give me a
color match in Martin-Senour, DuPont or some other color. Lynn
Klingaman, RR 6, Columbia City, IN 46725.
22/6/30 Q. How many Farmall F-12 tractors were
built using the Waukesha ‘L’ head engine? I have one, s/n
FS 530, making it the thirtieth F-12 produced. Would like to hear
from other Waukesha F-12 owners, especially if you have one of the
first twenty nine. Glenn Terminelli, RD 1, Box 356, Phillpsburg,
NJ.08865.
22/6/31 John D. Apgar, 32 Oakdale Road,
Chester, NJ 07930 writes that he received a note from OMC Lincoln,
successors to the Cushman Engine Company. Although the firm has
very little data on the Cushman Cub, a Service Dept. representative
stated, ‘I do know that the Cub engine was a very dark green in
color.’ Perhaps this information will be helpful. (This
correspondent also indicated that for further information Mr. Apgar
should contact GEM).
READERS WRITE
Briggs & Stratton, March GEM
Francis M. King, RD 1, Box 251, Dawson, PA 15428 notes that the
engine in question is an L-1. Mr. King also asks whether the letter
prefix such as A303M9A in the Webster magneto list is of any
significance.
The Reflector resonds: Apparently the letter prefix denotes a
particular style of bracket, with the following number being the
designator for a specific engine. The letter suffix at the end
seems to have much less importance, and in fact, the majority of
the brackets do not carry it as part of the casting number.
Robert Blin, Bob’s Small Engine Repair, 505 5th Ave.,
Marion, IA 52302 also comments that in 22/3/6 this is a Briggs
& Stratton Model L, built January, 1930 to December, 1932. It
is 1/2 HP, speed 1750-1800 rpm. Parts are
very hard to find, but Bob writes that he may be able to supply
some information etc. on the Model L.
21/11/22 Brownie tractor
The Brownie tractor in Mr. Greenawalt’s letter has a hood
identical to the hood on our David Bradley 2-wheeled garden tractor
which is a 1950 model 917-5756 powered by a small air-cooled
Continental AU 8 engine. It has a red hood with David Bradley
stamped where Brownie is shown with a decal. The steering shaft
hole on the Brownie is the gas filler hole on the David Bradley.
The cutout on the lower left corner of the Brownie hood is for the
rope starting pulley on the David Bradley. The David Bradley has an
identical cutout on the right side for the drive belt pulley. The
shiny bolt near the lever on the Brownie is the pivot point for the
hood on the David Bradley (it tips up to service the engine). David
Bradley used to be sold by Sears Roebuck, and is now serviced by
Roper Outdoor Power Equipment, 12052 Middle ground Road, Savannah,
GA 31406. Morris D. Cronk, Box 209, Torrington, WY 82240.
MODELMAKERS CORNER
Richard Daoust, 129 S. Hine Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186 writes to
tell us that the address given in our recent list of model engine
suppliers was incorrect, with the corrected version appearing here.
Mr. Daoust also sends a photo of his model Monitor pump jack
engine. We apologize for the error, and hope if you had trouble
contacting Mr. Daoust as a result that you will now try again, this
time with the proper address.
John Burns also dropped a line telling us that the information
regarding their scale model Reid engine was incorrect-it is a
1/4 scale engine, not a
1/2 scale engine as noted. Also, kindly
forward your correspondence regarding this engine to Burns &
Horner Engine Co. Inc., 2717 Way land Ave., Dayton, OH 45420. We
should also add that Mr. Burns recently sent us some drawings of
their engine – they are very highly detailed.
Mr. George Scott, Outlook, Montana 59252 has kindly forwarded a
sample set of drawings for his scale model Fairbanks-Morse Type
‘N’ engine. They are highly detailed, and should be easy to
work from.
If you have drawings, literature, or other information on your
scale models, we will be happy to review it and make mention of it
in this column. We don’t want to boost any one model maker over
another, but hope that a spirit of cooperation might prevail
whereby we can all share information and ideas.
