24/5/10 Ellis engine Q. Am sending along a
photo of a 3 HP Ellis engine, s/n 1806. Would like to know more
about this engine, including the color, type of cooling system,
etc. Any information will be appreciated. Henry Groner, RR 1,
Box 88, Berger, MO 63014.
A. The Ellis is illustrated in American Gas
Engines, along with brief information on this style. We do not how
ever, have any detailed information on Ellis. The cooling tank
arrangement is however, illustrated in the above book.
24/5/11 Thompson-Breese Tractors Q. I live near
Wapakoneta, Ohio and am extremely interested in learning more about
the Thompson-Breese tractors built there. It is illustrated on page
258 of Encyclopedia of American Farm Tractors. Any information on
this company or its tractors will be greatly appreciated. Paul
Fischer, RR 3, Box 173, Wapakoneta, OH 45895.
A. Except for some 1911 blurbs about
Thompson-Breese, our research has never come across any further
information on this company. Our guess is that they might have
built a few tractors that were sold locally, and then again, they
may never have gotten past the prototype model shown in the above
book.
24/5/12 Painting engines Q. I have two engines
to paint-a 1? HP Hercules and an 8 HP Economy. Please give the
proper color match for these. What is the best method of cleaning
off the rust-grinding, sanding, sandblasting? I have some XO-Rust
paint, X014 Tractor Red and X06 Bright Red. Would either of these
be too bright for the Economy? Tom Grube, Rotue 2, Box 44,
Gallipolis, OH 45631.
A. As we have stated numerous times, paint
colors usually were not blended ‘to shade’ during the
production runs. Oftentimes the color varied considerably from one
time to the next, depending on where they got the paint. We’re
of the opinion that DuPont 43060 Dempster Dumpster Green or 29761
Rex Chainbelt Green are mighty close for the Hercules, and we think
that G8166 White Farm Equipment Red is fairly close on Economy.
So far as rust removal is concerned-there are various lines of
thought. Some collectors prefer to wirebrush, sand, and grind their
engines prior to finishing, while others prefer the sandblasting
method. We would suggest that it’s a matter of personal
preference, but lean toward sandblasting, as it removes the
tiresome drudgery of sanding and grinding, along with inhaling
copious quantities of rust, dirt, and other materials.
24/5/13 TracTracTor Q. What is the year built
and the proper color for a T-20 Trac-Trac-Tor, s/n ST3026 and built
by International Harvester Co. Richard Dean, 90-08 Borkel Pl,
Queens Vlg., NY 11428.
A. Your tractor was built in 1934, and was
probably finished in the usual IHC Gray. Note, however, that there
are definite indications that some of these tractors were painted
IHC Red, probably to gain higher visibility.
24/5/14 Case Model C Combine Q. I am restoring
a Case Model C, 10-foot combine. Can anyone give me the reel arm
specifications, bolt locations, and the length of the reinforcement
straps between the reel arms? Edwin Bredemeier, Route 1, Box
13, Steinauer, NE 68441.
24/5/15 Briggs & Stratton Ray Wickham,
Dumont, IA 50625 needs year built information for two Briggs
engines: 1) Model Z, s/n 19407, type no. 304236 and 2) model Y, s/n
199826, type no. 60083. If you have this information, kindly drop
Ray a line.
24/5/16 Unknown engine Q. I recently acquired
an engine with the following nameplate information: Engine No.
179666; RPM 550; 1? E HP. Can you tell me the make of this engine
and year built? Ed Linderman, PO Box 65, Irons, MI
49644-0065.
A. The ‘E’ suffix on the horsepower
rating tends to indicate that yours is an Economy engine as sold by
Sears, Roebuck & Company. There are no serial number listings
available for these engines.
24/5/17 Wallis 20-30 tractor.Michael
Wendlandt, RR 2, Box 147, Stewart, MN 55385 would like to know
where to locate the serial number on a Wallis 20-30 that is missing
the nameplate.
24/5/18 John Deere engine problems Q. I have a
John Deere E engine, s/n 348039. There is no speed control. It does
not matter how much the speed change nut is adjusted, but no speed
change occurs. Does it sound like a cam follower problem?
Everything seems to be properly connected behind the governor
cover. Any help will be appreciated. Bruce Wittgren, 104 East
150 South, Valparaiso, IN 46383.
A. Some of the John Deere experts will probably
have the answer for the above problem, but in the meantime we might
suggest looking at the governor plunger. Is it stuck or binding in
the barrel? How about the detent catch block and blade? Are these
worn so as to prevent their hooking up properly?
24/5/19 Geo. D. Pohl engine Q. The below photos
illustrate a 3 HP Pohl engine using the R. M. Hvid patents. This
engine has many broken and missing arms and levers, so any help in
getting it restored will be greatly appreciated. Robert L.
Steele, Star Route 10A, Morris, NY 13808.
A. Photo 24/5/19A illustrates the head end of
this most unusual engine, and 19B shows the ‘injector’ as
used in a similar form on almost all the Hvid engines. (Others of
this style include Thermoil, St. Marys, Evinrude, and more). In
this system the fuel is released by the poppet valve shown in the
photo, with the amount being regulated by the governor, and
controlled by a long slender needle valve passing down through the
body of the injector. The fuel is deposited in a cup during the
suction stroke and is not injected under pressure. The high
temperature of the cup combined with the temperature increase of
compression ignite the lighter end of the fuel in the cup, and this
serves to continue the ignition of the remaining fuel. It is forced
out of the cup through small holes aimed at the piston head. This
particular part of the engine is very sensitive to leakage. Take it
from ye olde Reflector-I once cranked my 1? HP Evinrude till I was
blue in the face and then some! However, when all is right, it will
start with ease, directly on No. 2 diesel fuel.
We’ve never before heard that the Pohl people over at
Vernon, New York built Hvid-style engines. If anyone can be of help
here, it doubtless will be much appreciated.
24/5/20 Removing broken studs. Here’s a
method of removing stud bolts broken off flush. Find a pipe or tube
to fit snug in the hole. Insert a welding rod down the pipe opening
to apply a stab-in-the-dark weld at the base of the pipe which is
resting on the broken stud. The pipe lets you weld in the center of
the stud and not in the threads. Mel Smith, 23941 Strange Cr
Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
24/5/21 A-C tractor Q. What is the year built
of a WC styled model, s/n 144380? What is its horsepower, and when
did the WC change over from unstyled to styled hood? Ron
Diffenderfer, 1006 Old Vicksburg Rd., Clinton, MS 39056.
A. Your tractor was built in 1945. Nebraska
Test No. 304 indicates a rated output of 26.8 brake horsepower and
17.67 rated drawbar horsepower. The facelift apparently began in
1938, and some authorities have it that the styled hood was first
used on s/n 74330 of that year. This, and more information on the
WC is contained in the Reflector’s latest book, The
Allis-Chalmers Story.
24/5/22 Page garden tractor. William J. Kuhn,
4678 McMillan Road, Kinde, MI 48445 needs information on a Page
garden tractor, s/n ZAB 4486709. It is missing the engine. If
anyone can supply any information on this machine, please contact
Mr. Kuhn at the above address.
24/5/23 Unidentified Engine Q. See the two
photos of a recent acquisition. This engine has a 4? x 7 inch bore
and stroke. It has a cast bronze connecting rod. There are no
numbers on the castings. Bob LaBell, 4077 Day Street, Burton,
MI 48519.
A. The frame seems to have some similarity to
the Ohio engines, but the siderod design, the governor location,
and the flywheel design seem to rule out the Ohio. Our perusal of
American Gas Engines didn’t yield anything either, so
here’s one for our readers.
24/5/24 Champion engine Q. See the enclosed
photo of a Champion engine manufactured for Lininger Implement
Company of Omaha, Nebraska. This 1? HP engine is shown on page 284
of American Gas Engines. Would like to correspond with anyone
concerning the Champion line, age and color of this engine, and
similar information. I am especially interested in Champion, since
Champion, Nebraska is nearby. In this town, the Nebraska Parks
Commission keeps operable the only water powered mill left in
Nebraska.
An article in the June, 1988 GEM mentions the Champion engine as
built by Hercules, and if so, I was wondering if parts would be
interchangeable. Stan Cross, Lamar, NE 69035.
A. We would suggest that at least some, if not
all the parts on this engine would interchange with Hercules, and
if so, this would immensely simplify the restoration process.
24/5/25 Southern Engine & Boiler Works. The
6 HP sideshaft engine in the photo was made by Southern at Jackson,
Tennessee, but is missing the igniter and its operating rod. Would
like to hear from anyone having information on these engines so as
to get the necessary dimensions. This engine is also illustrated on
page 474 of American Gas Engines.O.B. Maloy, 7308 Ladybug,
Austin, TX 78744.
24/5/26 A suggestion Q. It has been noted that
igniters frequently cause problems. The igniter shaft completes the
electrical circuit by contact on its bearings. These often get
covered with oil so that there is a poor circuit. I have solved
this problem several times by connecting a strap from the shaft to
the igniter body.
Also see below photos showing an old-time electric blasting
machine. The nameplate reads: Pull-Up Blasting Machine No. 3.
Patented April 11, 1893. Will fire 20-30 holes.
A. The idea of making a solid electrical
connection between the shaft and the igniter body might have some
merit. We assume that copper braid as used on mercury switches and
similar devices would be preferred, so as not to retard the
movement of the shaft.
24/5/27 Heider 9-16 tractor. Ralph Olmsted,
1209 Guadalajara St., New Iberia, LA 70560 is restoring a Heider
9-16 Model D tractor and needs information on the ‘three-point
hitch’ as used on these tractors. Also needed is information on
rebuilding the friction drives and the original paint scheme.
A. We can help on one point-used untempered
Masonite to replace the friction wheels. Over the years, almost
everything was tried, from leather to oiled paper. On the current
market, however, the above material seems to work as good as
anything.
24/5/28 Case Threshing Machine Q. We are
restoring a Case 22 inch thresher, s/n 110-705. When was this
machine built? Randall Knipmeyer, 1304 Main, Higginsville, MO
64037.
A. As some of you may know, the Reflector is at
work on a comprehensive history of J. I. Case. One thing we
have not located so far is a complete serial number listing on the
Case threshers. Therefore, if anyone can help the above
correspondent and the Reflector in this regard, we’ll be happy
to hear from you.
