We’re not sure what has happened to our model makers during
the past month-we haven’t heard from anyone!
Curiously, our English cousins are much better known for model
building than we are here in America. Numerous model making
publications were available already in the early part of the
century, and in fact, model making has flourished in England for
many, many years.
We ran across a couple years’ worth of an English
publication simply entitled, Work. This little weekly paper is
chock full of model making projects of all kinds- literally;
everything from making your own violin to a triple expansion boat
engine!
It would appear that Americans are beginning to acquire an
inclination toward model building, especially since vintage engines
are becoming ever more scarce. Model engines have some other
tremendous advantages- it requires little space to store them, they
can be hauled about in even the smallest car, and even today’s
trend toward apartment living does not entirely rule out this
interesting hobby. Perhaps the greatest advantage of model making
is the sense of pride and accomplishment derived from the
successful completion of a model engine!
We certainly urge anyone who is thinking about model work to
look at some of the models illustrated in back issues of GEM, as
well as seeing operating models at the various shows. A substantial
number of our readers have also developed the castings, kits,
drawings, etc. needed for the task, and you’ll find them very
helpful with your chosen project.
Our first question this month is:
24/3/1 Smith-Longmaid Engine
Q. I understand that some members of a family
connected with the above engine are still living in Maine. This
engine was built at Portland, ME. If anyone knows of their names
and addresses, please let me know and how I might contact them.
Gordon E. Hopper, 75 Kendall Ave., Framingham, MA 01701.
24/3/2 Information required
Q. I need any information on the following:
1) Lockwood-Ash 2-cycle engine, Model 24, 4? HP, No. 42114
.
2) Fairbanks-Morse Vertical (torch ignition).
3) IHC gas engine, s/n VC 17413.
4) The Millers Friend. Patented June 21, 1881. Mfd. by J.
Valentine, Gorham, NY.
Any information will be appreciated. Earl Jones, RR1, Box 144,
Farmington, WV 26571.
A. Except for some brief data in American Gas
Engines, we have little data on the Lockwood-Ash. The
Fairbanks-Morse referred to is covered extensively in Power In The
Past, Volume 2: Fairbanks-Morse Company . This book is available
from Stemgas and other dealers. We need more information on the IHC
engine to be of help. Regarding the Miller’s Friend, this is a
corn sheller patented by Valentine under No. 243,176.
24/3/3 Oliver plow
Q. Isaac G. Geer, 947 Colledyard Hwy, Ledyard,
CT 06339 would like to know the proper color for an Oliver
single-bottom plow, #134-XX.-I-base. These numbers are from a 1925
Oliver Implement Dealer Book.
24/3/4 Associated engines
Howard Houck, 3585 Galway Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 writes
that Associated and IHC engines are his favorites. Howard also
sends along a photocopy of an Associated engine number listing.
This list was published a couple of years ago in GEM.
24/3/5 Unidentified engine
Q. What is the make of the engine in the below
photo? Also need additional information regarding the restoration
of same.
Harry Butler, 3237 W. North-view, Phoenix, AZ
85051.
A. We believe it is a Reo of the late
1940’s.
24/3/6 R & V engine
Q. What is the year built of an R& V
engine, 4 HP, s/n 47467. It is of the Triumph line. Marc Comes,
1956 Kemple, Bend, OR 97702.
A. We know of no precise dating method for the
R &. V engine line.
24/3/7 IHC ‘M’ color
Wally Steding, 807 Riverside St. NW, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 writes
that DuPont 93-84155 Adirondack Green is a good match for the type
‘M’ engines. This finish also carries ‘Color Code
501’. This color match was in the Smoke Rings column back in
the May-June 1982 issue of GEM.
24/3/8 Cletrac ‘W’ tractor
Q. About 30 years ago I bought a Cletrac
‘W’, s/n 117263 to do some work around my house. It has
been sitting ever since, and now I’ve decided to restore it.
Unfortunately, I can’t find any operating or service manuals
for this particular tractor. If anyone can help me I would be most
grateful. Ken Johnson, HCR V-OB, Apple Valley, CA
92307.
24/3/9 Miller Improved engine
Thanks to the folks at the Cool spring Power Museum, Cool
spring, PA for sending a beautiful Christmas card illustrating
their 300 HP Miller Quad opposed H-pattern natural gas engine. It
spent its working days supplying compressed air to a 20 square mile
air lease. Now it is awaiting final mounting to a permanent
foundation at Cool spring.
24/3/10 Beeman tractor and a tip
Q. In August, 1988 I purchased a Bee-man
tractor. I’ve been able to copy several different books and
fliers, but I would very much like to contact other Beeman owners.
I will answer all who write. Also, I would like to know the
difference between Beeman Tractor Co. and The New Beeman Tractor
Co.
Needed too, is the information on a 2.5 HP Friend Orchard
Spraying Pump, Model CX.
Here’s a tip:
When stripping paint or grease from an engine try using an oven
cleaner. I prefer Dow oven cleaner because it washes off with water
and doesn’t seem to harm the metal under the paint. I have
found that it will usually soften up the toughest paint so that it
can be scraped off instead of sandblasted. Be sure to read the
label, wear safety glasses and rubber gloves with this stuff.
Believe me, it can be painful. M. David Banas, 663 Alpine
Drive, Southbridge, MA 01550-3959.
A. Beeman Garden Tractor Company was
incorporated at Minneapolis in 1916. In July, 1919 the name was
changed to Beeman Tractor Company ‘to better reflect its
versatility.’ The first advertisement of the Model G apparently
came out in January, 1920. By late 1921 the price of the Model G
had been reduced from $345 to $285. Also available at that time was
the Model I tractor. The Beeman, Jr. was announced in January,
1922. This tractor appears to have also been sold as the Model B. A
Model K appeared in late 1922. The company assets were sold in
January, 1925 and the New Beeman Tractor Company was formed the
following March.
24/3/11 Lauson-Lawton engine
Mr. Oscar Cooke of Oscar’s Dreamland, Billings, Montana
forwards a letter he received from Rodney Baldry, 30 South
Crestwood Drive, Billings, MT 59102:
My wife and I visited Norway last summer and visited with a man
who had restored a Wisconsin engine, 3 HP, s/n 1436 by
Lauson-Lawton Company, De Pere, Wisconsin. Any information on this
engine or the Lauson-Lawton Company will be appreciated, as we will
forward it to our correspondent over in Norway.
If you can supply any data regarding this engine, kindly forward
it to Mr. Baldry. Thus, in a roundabout way, perhaps we can help a
fellow collector in far-away Norway!-Ed.
24/3/12 Corn shelter
Q. Can anyone tell me the make of the corn
sheller in the adjacent photo? It 15 a two-hole sheller with a
shaker in the bottom. Mark Petersen, Kimballton, 1A
51543.
A. We would say that the shaker screen in the
bottom is a very unusual feature for a small spring sheller, but we
don’t have a clue as to the maker.
24/3/13 Empire engine
For five years now I’ve been trying to locate the firing
mechanism for my 5 HP Empire engine. Several ads etc. have yielded
no results. I have learned though that Alamo parts are
interchangeable. I sure would be grateful to hear from any readers
who can help me get this engine back together again. Burl
Gillum, 6637 Pendelton Drive NW, Roanoke, VA 24019.
24/3/14 Information needed
Q. I’ve recently acquired a Cushman 4 HP
engine and a Novo 3 HP engine. I need operating information on
these engines. Paul E. Crane, 2837 San Ramon Drive, Rancho
Palos Verdes, CA 90274.
A. We would suggest you contact various GEM
advertisers specializing in original or reprint literature, or
better yet, perhaps some of them might drop you a line!
24/3/15 Information needed
Q. My wife and I have four engines total now,
but we need information on the following two- 2 HP Majestic, s/n
13155 and an Ideal 22′ power lawn mower, engine no. o 6077. Any
information will be appreciated, especially when built. Also, I
have some literature on the Jones Oil engine made in Syracuse, New
York about 1918-19. Are these engines considered to be unusual?
Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Jones, Line Road, RFD 1, Box 223,
Philadelphia, NY 13673.
A. We have little to offer you on the two above
named engines, nor can we provide any information on the Jones
people in Syracuse. Wish we could be more helpful.
24/3/16 Massey-Harris ‘Pony’
William C. Teller II, S.R., Box 255, Powells Point, NC 27966 is
restoring a Massey-Harris Pony and has need of operating and
service data on this model. Mr. Teller has many of the original
attachments, but would like to know the types of harrow most often
supplied with these tractors. Also needed is confirmation from
other enthusiasts regarding the proper color scheme etc. Any
information will be greatly appreciated.
24/3/17 ‘General power plant
Q. Four years ago GEM readers helped me
complete restoration of an Onan light plant. Now I have acquired a
32 volt light plant by General Gas & Electric Company, Hanover,
PA. Although. I need general information on this unit, it would be
most helpful if anyone can supply data on wiring the ignition
system for this unit. Glennis Farnsworth, Route 2, Box 310,
Birdsboro, PA 19508.
24/3/18 White & Middleton
Q. In the course of researching my White &
Middleton engine, I obtained copies of three patents noted on page
552 of American Gas Engines as pertaining to this particular
engine. I found however, that two of these, namely 438,269 Empire?
Any information at all will be appreciated, such as who built it,
when, and the like. Otto Ray, 704 Evans Road, Field brook, CA
95521.
A. Unfortunately two typographical errors
appear in the same caption! The two patents to which you refer
properly should be 438,209 and 588,917. Our apology for the
error!
24/3/19 Tillotson carburetor info
Kenneth P. Johnson, 7302 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria, AZ 85345
has an Avery Model A tractor using a Tillotson carburetor. He would
be happy to hear from anyone knowing where to obtain an overhaul
kit for same.
24/3/20 Norseman tractor
Q. We are currently researching a Toronto,
Ontario manufacturer of farm tractors, Norseman Products, Ltd., 410
Hopewell Ave., Toronto, Ontario. This company produced an
apparently small number of tractors beginning about 1948, in two
models, standard-tread and row-crop. Their literature indicates
that an American counterpart had been built in Kansas ‘for the
past 15 years.’ This was written in early 1949.
There is no information of either the Norseman or its American
counterpart in your boohs, but I was hoping that information might
have surfaced since that time. We will be most happy to hear from
anyone who can be of help. Peter M. Led. with, Curator of
Collections, Ontario Agricultural Museum, P.O. Box 38, Milton,
Ontario L9T 2Y3 Canada.
A. Mr. Led with enclosed a photocopy of some
brief specs on the Norseman-they include the use of a Chrysler
Industrial ‘236’ engine. One can pick out features similar
to the Graham-Paige of the late 1940’s, or features of the late
Co-op tractors, or of several other makes. We’ve looked and
looked through our files however, and cannot tell you the name of
the Kansas company which was the alleged American manufacturing
counterpart for the Norseman-in fact, this is the first we have
ever heard of this tractor. Should anyone be able to help in the
unraveling of this puzzle some question, don’t hold
back-we’ll be glad to hear from you!
24/3/21 Air compressor
Q. See the below photo of a two-cylinder air
compressor. All I can read of the lettering is-MPIR. Can this be
Empire? Any information at all will be appreciated, such as who
built it, when, and the like. Otto Ray, 704 Evans Road,
Fieldbrook, CA 95521
A. Yours is probably a very old air compressor
as might have been used in a garage. A quick perusal of Machinery
and some other magazines didn’t pull up a match though. With
the advent of the motor car and the high-pressure balloon tires
used at first, some sort of power-driven compressor was certainly
desirable, if not downright imperative. Having talked with
old-timers who had to pump up a 70 psi tire with a hand pump, we
learned that this was quite a job!
24/3/22 Waterloo Type H engine
Kent H. Zobel, Rt 1, Box 35A. Monroe, NE 68647 has a 5 HP Type H
Waterloo engine that he is restoring. It is missing some parts and
since this is Mr. Zobel’s first restoration he will be very
happy to hear from anyone who can supply some information on this
engine.
24/3/23 Red-E tractor
Q. What is the year built for the
following:
1) Red-E Tractor, Richfield, Wisconsin s/n 3709
2) Economy Jim Dandy tractor by Engineering Products Co.,
Waukesha, Wisconsin, s/n 13543. Don Spearo, 9678 Townline Drive,
Sister Bay, WI 54234.
A. Some years ago we attempted contacting these
companies, and despite repeated efforts we never received a
response. Since our queries never came back, we assumed that
someone got the mail at least. Perhaps there is someone who can
tell us for sure whether any information is available on these two
companies, and if so, how it might be obtained.
24/3/24 Information needed
Q. Mr. Dan Baumetz, Rt 2, Hutchinson, MN 55350
requests the year built for Ingeco, New Way, Associated, Rock
Island, and Hercules engine models. Unfortunately, there are to our
knowledge, no serial number listings left for these models. Mr.
Baumetz would also like to have the proper matching color for the
Ingeco engines.
24/3/25 Oliver 80
Q. I’ve recently purchased an Oliver 80,
s/n 307C46. The rear wheels and tires are 40 inches and are in very
bad shape. Is there anything out there that will interchange on the
spline axle? Also, what is the correct color of this tractor? What
is the model and horsepower? Doug Gilliland, Rt 3, Box 839,
Thomasville, NC 27360.
24/3/26 Hubbard marine engine
Q. I have a Hubbard marine engine by Hubbard
Motor Company, Middletown, CT s/n 6186, and 5 HP. It uses
make-and-break ignition and a poppet-type mixing valve. Any
information on this engine will be appreciated. Mike Bowles, Rt
1, Box 574, Dunnesville, VA 22454.
A. Although it appears that Hubbard began
operations in 1897, continuing at least into the 1920’s, the
Reflector has not gained an immense amount of history on the firm.
That which we have gathered may be found on page 237 of American
Gas Engines. Stan Grayson’s book, Old Marine Engines, makes no
mention of the firm.
24/3/27 Oliver 70 Row-Crop
Q. I have an Oliver 70 Row-Crop, s/n 248495. I
would like to know when this tractor was built, the proper color,
and the C1D of the engine. Also, what is the weight? Any
information will be appreciated. Gordon Aebig, 312 Maple St.,
Shelby, MI 49455.
A. Your tractor was built in 1944. Nebraska
Test No. 351 contains data pertinent to this tractor. The
displacement is 201.3 cubic inches. Approximate shipping weight was
3,300 pounds on rubber tires.
24/3/28 Associated engine
Q. See the 2 photos of my Associated engine. It
is s/n 477 and the nameplate reads, ‘Associated Manufacturers
Company, Waterloo, Iowa.’ Am I correct in assuming that this
engine was actually built by Sherman & Smith at Independence,
Iowa?
Note that the mixer of this engine is quite different from the
mixer shown for the 4 HP Associated on page 34 of American Gas
Engines. Also, the muffler position is different, but the
two-cylinder Sherman & Smith engine on page 464 of your book
does show a muffler in the same position, and of the same general
style. Can you speculate when this engine was built, and could this
be classified as a ‘rare’ engine, or just rare for
Virginia? Any help will be appreciated.
George Lenard, 10500 Beach Mill Road, Great Falls, Virginia
22066.
A. Since we would guess this engine to be about
80 years old, we would probably look at it on the rare side of
things, particularly because of the very low serial number. Whether
or not it was built at Independence we can’t know for sure, but
it seems entirely likely at this early stage of the Associated
engine line.
24/3/29 Lauson engine
Q. See two photos of an engine I have acquired.
It is a Lauson Oil Test Engine, Type H-2, s/n 7-28236. It was made
at New Holstein, Wisconsin, U.S.A. As you can see, it is a side
valve engine and has a displacement of about 244 cc. Note also the
copper tube running round inside the top of the water jacket. I
will be most appreciative of hearing from anyone who can be of help
regarding this engine. B. C. Loveland, 5 Burmill Court,
Angmering Way, Rustington BN16 3RI West Sussex, England.
A. Although the Reflector is familiar with the
Lauson line, here is a model, perhaps set up for special duty, of
which we were not aware. If you can help, be sure to let us
know.
24/3/30 McCortnick-Deering engine
Q. I recently acquired a McCormick-Deering
engine, 1? HP, s/n W 59738. The engine was represented to be in new
condition, and I think that is probably right, for several reasons.
First, there is little evidence of heat discoloration. However, it
is painted red, with no sign of having been repainted, and-it has
no decals. Lloyd L. Basler, 3223 Roselawn Ct., Bartlesville, OK
74006.
A. Although we’ve always thought of the
Type ‘M’ engines as being the dark Adirondack Green
referred to earlier in this column, it is entirely possible that
for reasons now unknown, IHC might have sent some out with red
paint. Perhaps they were built for a specific machine, or were sold
to another company who wanted them to be painted red. We know for
instance, that this happened with certain Stover engine models.
That is why one can occasionally find an unrestored Stover engine
painted blue or orange! We’ve never heard of any ‘M’
engines painted red, but perhaps someone else might have-if so, let
us know.
24/3/31 Unidentified engine
Q. Can anyone identify the engine in the photo?
The nameplate has been removed. It is a hit-and-miss engine with a
galvanized steel fuel tank in the base. An eccentric operates the
timing device, and the engine itself appears to have been a yellow
gold color, but the trucks appear to have been green. A raised boss
on the upper front portion of the engine bears the serial number
C111855. Other casting numbers include 11392 on the block and 11406
on the 15-inch flywheels. Any clues to its identity will be
appreciated. I also have a Fuller & Johnson pump engine and
need to know the proper color and letter configuration for the
flywheel etc. Also needed are dimensions for the battery box.
Stanley Schroeder, Rt. 2, Box 122, Bloomfield, NE
68718.
A. The photograph doesn’t give a good view,
but we’re thinking this engine might be an Ottawa, but we might
be all wrong. We’re confident there are collectors who have
restored F & J pumpers who can help you with the proper color
scheme.
24/3/32 Fairmont engines
Q. I have a Fairmont with two different plates
with numbers. This Fairmont has an aluminum radiator on it. On top
of the radiator is serial no. R7749, on the other plate is: OH 5-8
48788. Can anyone tell me what these numbers mean? Also, how can I
obtain service information on this engine? Walter Weddington,
Route 10, Box 467, Mooresville, NC 28115.
A. We suggest you contact Fairmont Railway
Motors Inc., at Fairmont, MN.
24/3/33 Hercules engine
Q. I have recently purchased a Hercules 5 HP
engine, s/n 153674. While I am told it is a Hercules, I haven’t
found the name so far. A {though the engine is restored, any
further information will be greatly appreciated. George L.
Blackburn, Rt 5, Box 326, Blountville, TN 37617.
A. We doubt you will find ‘Hercules’ on
the engine except in the form of a decal. Hercules coded the name
in the horsepower rating. Thus, your engine might read, H.P.-5EK.
Another engine might read-5 UC, or some other suffix, depending on
which jobber was getting the engine. The major ones were Hercules
of course, plus the Economy engines going to Sears-Roebuck, and the
Jaeger engines going to Jaeger Machine Co. for their cement mixers
etc.
24/3/34 Before and after
Every once in awhile someone sends in a before-and-after photo
of an engine restoration. This is the situation with Gary C.
Pardue, 306 Montrose St., Bluefield, VA 24605. This engine was
discovered in a field looking like photo 34-A, and four months
later it looks like 34-B. Gary writes that every bolt, nut and stud
was replaced, along with all seals and gaskets. Gary also writes
that he has recently acquired his second engine, a United VA HP
model with s/n 251444. Unfortunately, we know of no way to date
this engine from its serial number.
24/3/35 Rumely 6 tractor
Q. Can anyone supply me with information,
copies of a repair manual, or other data on restoration of a Rumely
6 tractor that I have just acquired.
John Cruise, RR1, Box 33, Wesley, JA 50483.
24/3/36 Alpha engines
Q. I have an Alpha engine, identical to the one
shown on page 122 of American Gas Engines. Was this engine built by
John Lauson Company? Who were other makers of the Alpha engines?
What year was this engine built? What is the correct shade of green
paint? Any information will be appreciated. Bob Hester, 11711 .
Raulerson Road, Riverview, FL 33569.
A. The engine was built by Lauson, but
we’re not sure of how many other companies did, in fact, build
engines for DeLaval, attaching the Alpha trademark to same.
Likewise, there seems to be no definite information regarding the
time period in which Lauson built these engines for DeLaval. The
latter used them on the vacuum pumps for DeLaval milking machines.
Perhaps some of our readers have established an accurate color
match to the peculiar dark olive green paint used on these
engines.
24/3/37 McCormick-Deering tractor
Hank Melenbrink at Hank’s Retreat, 12221 N. Oak Road,
Otisville, MI 48465 would like to hear from someone having
information on an M-3 McCormick-Deering tractor.
24/3/38 John Deere engine
Q. I have a John Deere gas engine, s/n 315922
with a trip-type ignitor. Need year built, engine speed, and if it
is low tension or high. Can I still get parts from John Deere? I
would like to know what manual would be best for rebuilding the
engine. Ron Konen, Box 47-C, Genesee, ID 83832.
A. Your engine was built in 1939. Rated speed
is 600 rpm, although for show purposes we doubt you would want it
to run that fast. Possibly, some parts are available from Deere,
but if not, there are a number of used parts dealers in GEM who
should be able to supply virtually anything you would need. We
would suggest that Service Manual for John Deere Engines and
Tractors, available from GEM as a good manual in this regard. Since
your engine has an ignitor rather than a spark plug, it is low
tension. High tension ignition is synonymous with spark plug
ignition, while the low tension method generally refers to a
mechanical ignitor.
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.
