The other day we ran across a 1911 article outlining the merger
of the John Deere branch houses, factories and the parent company
to form Deere &. Company. The following were included: Deere
&. Company, Moline, Illinois, Deere & Mansur, Moline,
Illinois, John Deere Plow Company Branch, Houses at:, Kansas City,
Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, Omaha, Nebraska, Dallas, Texas,
Denver, Colorado, Portland, Oregon, Spokane, Washington, Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma, San Francisco, California, New Orleans, Louisiana,
Indianapolis, Indiana, Baltimore, Maryland, Syracuse, New York,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Dain Mfg. Company, Ottumwa, Iowa, Ft.
Smith Wagon Co., Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Kemp &. Burpee, Syracuse,
New York, Marseilles Mfg. Co., East Moline, Illinois, Moline Wagon
Co., Moline, Illinois, Richardson Mfg. Co., Worcester,
Massachusetts, Syracuse Chilled Plow Company, Syracuse, New York,
Union Malleable Iron Co., East Moline, Illinois, Van Brunt Company,
Horicon, Wisconsin.
Has anyone ever heard of a Simon engine designed, patented, and
built by H. H. Simon of Atlanta, Georgia? Notice of this engine
appears in a 1910 magazine. Also of interest, the Texas Engine
& Manufacturing Company at Galveston went into receivership
during 1910. Has anyone heard of this one?
Regarding the Doak Engine Company at Oakland and San Francisco,
California: John E. Doak, founder and proprietor of this company,
died in 1910 at the age of 47. His death was said to have been
caused by overwork and worry in connection with the loss of his
financial fortune in the Great San Francisco earthquake.
Finally, how about these ‘new incorporations’ as of
early 1910: Caldwell-Hallowell Co., Waterloo, Iowa; Ft. Madison Gas
Engine Co., Ft. Madison, Iowa; Pioneer Traction Co., Winona,
Minnesota; and Snyder Gasoline Thresher Co., Green Island, New
York.
Our questions this month begin with:
29/3/1 Is It a Filter? Q. At a consignment sale
I bought this filter, but I have never found out what is was used
for. It was made by Klemm & Company, Chicago, Illinois. Patent
dates are July 11 and August 15, 1899; February 13, 1900; and
December 30 1902.
29/3/2 John Lauson 1 HP Q. I have a John Lauson
1 HP engine, s/n 166. How old is it, and what is the proper color?
I would like to build an ignitor for it and use the magneto that
came with it. All the information I can find for it is after they
changed to spark plugs.
I also have a McCormick-Deering W-30 tractor, s/n WP11577. When
did they start painting them red? Lloyd F. Wagner, 19019 SE
128th St., Renton, WA 98059-8744.
A. So far we’ve not gotten any accurate
color matches for the green paint used on the John Lauson engines.
IH changed to red paint in October 1936. However, it is unknown at
what serial numbers this change was made. It does appear that some
tractors were painted red prior to this time, perhaps to test the
market. It also appears that a few were painted gray, perhaps to
the wishes of a specific dealer or customer. Any information
will be appreciated. Morris Blomgren ,10139 Blomgren Rd., Siren,
WI54872.
29/3/3 Swedish Engine Q. I recently acquired a
small two-cycle marine engine that I am told was made in Sweden.
All fastenings are metric and the magneto is an SEM which is made
in Sweden. The engine has an approximate bore and stroke of
21/8 x 2 inches. The words AW MOTOR are cast
into the cylinder head and AW-1 and the number 531-22 are stamped
on the block. I wonder if anyone might know anything about this
engine or if there is some collector in Sweden that I might contact
for more information. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Bob Learned, 1754 Curtner Ave., San Jose,CA95l24-1207.
29/3/4 Massey-Harris Q. I need some parts and
lots of help on a 3.5 HP Massey-Harris engine. Can anyone tell me
the age and the correct color? It was in a fire and sat outside for
another 15 years. Everything that can melt has melted, and anything
left has rusted together. The nameplate is nearly unreadable.
Any help and cooperation would be greatly appreciated. Kevin
Glen Bergen, PO Box 2096, Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0 Canada.
A. To our knowledge, there is no way to
accurately date the origin of a Massey-Harris engine. Also,
we’ve never gotten the paint color information for this
one.
29/3/5 Cletrac General GG Q. I recently
purchased this Cleveland General Model GG tractor, s/n 1FA2836. I
would appreciate hearing from anyone who can point me to further
information on this tractor, as well as parts suppliers for same,
and would like to know when it was built. Charles C. Fallin,
6106 – 23rd St.,Lubbock, TX 79407-1610.
29/3/6 Maynard Engine Q. I recently discovered
and purchased a 2 HP Maynard engine s/n 9676. I found this engine
on Deer Island off the coast between New Brunswick and Maine. The
engine was complete, aside from various springs. However, I’ve
read that ‘the Maynard engine was built by Nelson Bros.,’
but mine doesn’t look anything like that. I keep finding
castings with ‘B. E. Co.,’ and in looking at American Gas
Engines, I see that mine is similar. I also need to find the proper
color. Finally, in disassembling the ignitor, I can’t remember
whether the angled arm on the ignitor shaft is above or below the
trip arm. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Willard E. Cawley,
369 Palace Road, Kingston, Ontario K7L 4T5 Canada.
A. Although you didn’t send a photo of your
engine, we would suggest that yours was probably made by Bates
& Edmonds Motor Co. for the Charles Williams Stores. Actually,
it appears that the Maynard was built by several different
companies over the years. As with several other large order houses,
the Maynard was not built by Charles Williams Stores; they simply
marketed an engine. The engine marketed in a given year might have
been built by anyone having an engine they liked, one that fit into
their pricing structure, and one that was available in the
quantities needed by a catalog house. Nelson Bros, was likely not
the only supplier. We’re unsure of the proper color. If yours
has traces of a color, that’s likely what was used.
Regarding the ignitor, the trip finger is supposed to engage the
lever attached to the movable electrode. When it trips, the spring
around the ignitor shaft snaps back very quickly, thus creating the
spark. With battery-operated ignitors, the points are always open,
except when engaged by the trip finger. Ignitors like the Webster
always have the points closed, and they open only when struck by
the hammer.
29/3/7 Badger Engine Q. I have had the good
fortune to acquire a rather large engine which is missing some
parts, such as the head and the lay shaft assembly. I’m told it
is a Badger engine of about 9 or 10 horsepower. I would like to
hear from anyone having one of these engines so as to figure out
the parts needed to get it running again. All responses will be
acknowledged and the postage returned. Brad L. Rodenkirch, N. 2365
Hwy SS, Cambellsport, WI 53010-3449.
29/3/8 Unidentified Engines Q. See the two
photos of unidentified engines. Photo 8A has no ID except the
casting numbers with MA in them. It is probably automotive. It is a
two-cylinder model and measures three feet from rocker to
rocker.
The other is about a 1 HP throttling governor model. Numbers all
start with AK. This engine uses a downdraft mixer flange, and cam
follower is on a rocker attached to the base. Any information
will be appreciated. Robert A. Johnson, Rt 2, Box 358, Canyon, TX
79015.
29/3/9 An Australian Collection Reg
Ingold, 37 Seaham St., Holmes-ville, 2286 Australia, sends a number
of photos of his collection: Photo 9A is a corner of his engine
shed; 9B are models he had built so far; the Richard Shelley model
of Galloway and the Economy from Joe Tochtrop. Both are top
runners. Photo 9C shows a Ronaldson & Tippett engine, 6 HP,
built in 1918. 9D is a 4 HP 1933 Sundial built in Sunshine,
Victoria, Australia. 9E is a 1928 Sundex 2 HP engine. 9F is a
Sunshine Type H, 2 HP, 1922 vintage. 9G is a 1920 Acme Marine
engine, 2 HP, built in Newcastle, NSW. 9H is a 2 HP Kelly &
Lewis, 1935. 9I is a 2 HP Moffatt Virtue of the 1940s. 9J is a
picture of the writer, Mr. Reg Ingold.
29/3/10 Olds Engine Striping Q. See the drawing
of an Olds Type A engine. Can anyone detail the exact striping and
colors used on this engine? Ed Weyerts, Box 82, Gurley, NE
69141.
29/3/11 Sears-Roebuck Engine Q. Can anyone tell
me about my old wash-in machine engine from Sears & Roebuck? It
is Model 500.95461, sin 579286.Any information will be
appreciated. Francis D. Donovan, 19 Winthrop St., Medway, MA 0205
3-2118.
29/3/12 Majestic Engine Owners Send your
horsepower and serial numbers (check crankshaft end) for cataloging
of owners. A list of known owners and historical information will
be returned. James W. Priestley, 117 Lind St., McMinnville, TN
37110.
29/3/13 Kalamazoo Engine Q. We’re restoring
a Kalamazoo engine as shown on page 261 of American Gas Engines.
When these engines arrived here, they were stripped of all the
governor gear and linkages. With this particular engine, none were
lucky enough to get some of the main parts. I am seeking drawings
of the governor mechanism and would like to know who was the
original manufacturer. I would also like to thank those people who
sent information on the York and Jacobsen engines which are now
both running. R. Peachey ,119 Middle St., Hadfield, Victoria
3046 Australia.
29/3/14 Cushman 8 HP Engine Q. I need
information on an 8 HP Cushman Model 44, two-cylinder marine
engine. It has a patent date of 1911, the s/n is 3887. I need
color, when built, and parts or service information. The engine
started out as a peanut thrasher in east Texas, then was later used
on a log saw before it was put to rest in 1965.Steve Hanuscin,
7 Orange St., Longview, TX 75604.
29/3/15 Motorcycle Models? Q. Does anybody know
where I can find a casting kit for an early v-twin style
Hurley-Davidson or Indian motorcycle, preferably of the World War I
era? I want to build a replica of a 1912 Indian motorcycle using a
bicycle frame, and I need an authentic-looking engine for it,
either four-stroke or two-stroke. Does anyone make a complete kit
to make a bicycle into an old-style motorcycle? They could be
licensed as mopeds since they had pedals.
Also, I’m looking for plans on a two inch scale threshing
machine. The Model Engineer has plans for the Ransomes (England) ,
but I want plans for an American-built thresher. Any help will
be appreciated. Dean Lehrke, 1927 Telephone, Ft. Mill, SC
29715.
29/3/16 M-M Wiring Diagram James P. McHaffie,
Box 38, Georgetown, PA 15043 needs a wiring diagram for a
Minneapolis-Moline R-T-100 tractor. Any help will be
appreciated.
29/3/17 Witte Ignition Changeover Henry G.
Liepe Sr., 3050 Linden Ave., Mays Landing, NJ 08330 needs help in
changing over a 4 HP Witte engine from magneto to battery ignition.
If you’ve solved this problem, please contact him at the above
address.
29/3/18 Hercules Information Q. I have a
Hercules 1 HP engine, s/n 164691. I would like to know when it was
built, and its original color. I would also like to know the
meaning of the ‘E’ after the horsepower. Steve Hindman,
PO Box 461, Laurel Ln., Marietta, SC 29661.
A. Without hesitation, we recommend A History
of Hercules by Glenn Karch. It details these engines very well. We
understand the ‘E’ suffix to mean ‘Economy,’ which
means it was sold by Sears & Roebuck.
29/3/19 Uni Lectric Generator Q. See the photos
of a Uni Lectric gasoline-electric unit made by Waterman Motor
Company, and described on page 539 of American Gas Engines. It was
found in Wallace, Idaho, where there was also an elaborate still. I
would like to find any operating and maintenance manuals that other
collectors might have available, so that I could get photocopies.
Charles M. Stone, E4203 43rd Ave., Spokane, WA 99223.
29/3/20 Information Needed Q. Can anyone tell
me about my Motogo inboard marine engine, Model 41, s/n 631, 5 HP,
and about my Pontiac one-cylinder horizontal Model G, s/n 2081,
Pontiac Tractor Co., Pontiac, Michigan? Any information will be
appreciated. Donald Spearo, 9678 Townline Drive, Sister Bay, WI
54234.
29/3/21 R&V, Etc. Q. I’ve just acquired
a Fairbanks-Morse Z, Style C engine. This specific engine is not
shown in American Gas Engines. Was this engine as common as most
‘Z’ engines in this time period? The s/n indicates that
this one was built about 1940.
Another question is whether flywheel spokes can be repaired
without any adverse effects?
See also a photo of our 6 HP Root & Vandervoort engine.
It’s a great attraction at the engine shows we attend here in
the Northwest. Don Green, PO Box 618, Allyn, WA
98524-0618.
A. Although your ZC engine isn’t shown in
American Gas Engines, it appears (along with a lot of other Type Z
engines) in the new book, 100 Years of Fairbanks-Morse, now
available from GEM. Although too detailed to explain in this
format, the book details the various models, changes, and
variations of the Type Z engine line through the years.
While some will likely disagree with ye olde Reflector, we are
not in favor of trying to repair flywheel spokes. At some point,
we’ll try to include some old magazine illustrations of what
happens when a flywheel explodes. The results are disastrous when
chunks of cast iron turn ballistic. It’s a risk we simply
don’t wish to take.
Modelmakers Corner
Recently we got a letter and a photo from Eddie Mittelstadt, PO
Box 957, Eldorado, Iowa 52175. Eddie writes that he just finished
building the Stickney model from the Debolt casting kit. He also
reports that this is a very nice running engine. See Photo
MM-1.
A Closing Word
Ye olde Reflector frequently is asked when or if a revised
edition of American Gas Engines will be published. The truth is
that this book has been out of print by Motor books, the publisher,
for a couple of months. Hopefully, it will be available again in
February or March. Due to its immense size, we don’t anticipate
a revised edition of this particular title, although we are
planning some other auxiliary titles.
Despite the years of collecting and writing that were required
to compile American Gas Engines, there are many companies that have
appeared since that time. In addition, a lot of new information has
surfaced on companies on which we already had a limited amount of
information. We made this point at the beginning of the column by
listing a number of companies about which little or nothing is
known. Another example is the Sanders Machine Shop at Havre de
Grace, Maryland. In 1910 this firm was perfecting a new type of
marine engine of the four-cycle variety. Yet, this is the first
reference we’ve ever seen for this small firm.
Another company of interest is the Rome Gasoline Engine Company
at Rome, New York. It was incorporated in 1910 ‘to build a full
line of two- and four-cycle stationary air and water cooled
engines. [Rome] will also build the Van Epps two-cycle high speed
marine motor. Mr. Van Epps, the designer of this motor, will be
connected with this company in the capacity of designing
engineer.’
We doubt that the ‘complete history’ of the internal
combustion engine will ever be written. We also doubt that the
general public has any grasp of the significance of this invention.
Virtually nothing that we see or touch or use is without the
influence of internal combustion engines. This only reinforces our
belief that the Postal Service should issue a series of stamps
devoted to the internal combustion engine. After all, we’ve
seen things on stamps that we believe to be of far less
significance.
The purpose of the Reflections column is to provide a forum for
the exchange of all useful information among subscribers to GEM.
In-queries or responses should be addressed to: REFLECTIONS, Gas
Engine Magazine, P.O. Box 328, Lancaster, PA 17608-0328.
