I recently acquired a Tips Engine Works engine from the Erwin Kretzschmar estate. The Tips was made in Austin, Texas, has 80 HP at 327 rpm stamped on the nameplate, and is engine number 1139. The engine is of the two-cycle ported cylinder design (strikingly similar to large two cycle Fairbanks-Morse oil engines, although the use of an electric glow plug and different style injection system differentiates them) and is air started. The air start utilizes two cams and two pushrods, one of each for each cylinder, for an automatic air start. The mechanism even rocks the engine into motion in the correct direction of turning all by itself. The way technology is used in the engine, it appears to be mid to late 1930s, maybe early 1940s. I know from your book, and from my friend Mike Leet of Tockdale, Texas, that the stroke and bore of the engine is 13 inches by 12 inches respectively.
I know when the engine was installed at Uhling, Texas, but I am hoping that someone can help with the date of manufacture. Gary W. Butschek, 1444 County Road 148, Floresville, TX 78114. E-mail is gbutschek@pleasanton.isd.tenet.edu.
36/6/8 Trip Mechanism Q. See photo of a bracket that accommodates at Wico EK mag and the associated trip rod. The eccentric ring is 2 inches in diameter. What engine might this assembly be for? Possibly a Wade drag saw engine? M. D. Wasemiller, 30 W. Hilton, Red-lands, CA 92373. E-mail usaf35w@aol.com.
36/6/9 Mower Help Q. This picture is of an 18′ reel type older push lawn mower, pipe handles, aluminum cast sides and aluminum 10 inch wheels with rubber tires. Only markings are cast on the outside of the wheels: Dalglish Engineered Products, St. Paul, MN. It is not bound up, only missing ground rubber and one rubber hand grip. Can anyone assist Ernest D. Argo of 490 Central Ave., Lebanon, OR 97355?
36/6/10 Unidentified Q. This hit and miss has two 18 inch 6 spoke flywheels, open shaft alley and sump, single spring c-shaped governor, 4 inch bore, air cooled with 14 concentric fins and 9 vertical fins on the head. Possibly someone switched the exhaust and muffler to the right rear port in the combustion chamber when it may belong on the left side under the spark plug and to the rear of the small mixer and sucker valve. Possibly this was a vacuum engine to operate a milking machine. There are no casting number, no data plate, nothing.
Any information will be appreciated. Write or call Bill Martin, 17 Clark Ave., Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234, 609-927-2912. All correspondence will be answered promptly.
