In the September issue of GEM, John Broussard has a want ad for
information on the Studebaker 9350 aircraft engine. Over the past
few months we have corresponded with John in this regard. We must
confess that until he brought it up, we had never heard of a
Studebaker aircraft engine, nor did we know that they had spent any
time in developing one. Apparently, this was a huge 24-cylinder
engine capable of something on the order of 5,000 to 7,000
horsepower.
Although aircraft engines aren’t the usual fare in GEM
(perhaps there aren’t many people following this specialty), we
too would be interested to hear more about the Studebaker engine.
So, if you can shed any light on the 9350, kindly write to John
Broussard, 2004 Pinhook Road, Suite C, Box 566, Lafayette, LA
70508.
We recently received some photocopy material from Maynard
Peterson, 61 Horseshoe Road, Wilmington, OH 45177. Maynard recently
came across a copy of ‘Farm Light & Power,’ a
1920’s guide to farm lighting plants. For example, it
illustrates a two-cycle, direct-connected light plant from United
Engine Company at Lansing, Michigan. Also illustrated are several
models from Radiant Manufacturing Company at Sandusky, Ohio.
Perhaps we can eventually incorporate this material with some
others so that all our collectors can benefit. Thanks to Mr.
Peterson!
Ye olde Reflector hasn’t been in recent communication with
Ian Stewart (The Olde Machinery Mart Magazine, Australia), but we
do hope that plans are moving ahead with the Australian Vintage
Machinery Congress ’91 set for next year. We plan to attend as
a goodwill ambassador from Stemgas Publishing Company. We hear that
there are some very interesting collections in Australia, and we
have also heard that the Australian collectors are looking forward
to the Congress. If you’ve ever thought about going to
Australia, perhaps this might be a good opportunity.
The September GEM carries an interesting article on the Marshall
Six-Cylinder tractor (see pages 12 & 13). In an article titled
‘Pioneers of Power,’ pages 6 6k 7, Bud Motry chronicles
some of the significant developments of engine design. Note that
the majority of early development was in Europe, not here in the
United States. Thus, we see an interesting situation. Although many
of our readers have little or no interest in foreign engines or
tractors, we perceive a subtle shift by many others. Ten years ago,
hardly anyone gave thought to owning a foreign-made vintage engine
or tractor. Now we see numerous examples at our shows. The
interesting part is that good old hindsight gets busy. In many of
the foreign designs we see many features not usually found on
American-made engines, and vice-versa. The irony is that
occasionally we see a feature propounded as a radically new design,
when in fact, someone here or in Europe came up with the idea ages
ago.
25/10/1 Tractor Information
Chris Proeschel, 3838 West Elkton Rd., Hamilton, OH 45011 needs
information on the Lehr Big Boy, Custom, Montgomery Ward and
Simpson Jumbo tractors.
25/10/2 Some Nice Machinery Q. Here are some
nice photos of various items I have collected. Photo 2A illustrates
an Ames steam engine connected to a 100 kva alternator. Photo 2B
shows a 30 kva Climax methane engine from a municipal sewage plant.
Photo 2C illustrates an unidentified engine that 1 would appreciate
information for. John D. Adams, 2816 Sylvan Ave., Madison, WI
53705.
A. The engine in 2C is an E-Z engine used under
the E-Z washing machines.
If memory serves, these were made somewhere in the state of New
York.
25/10/3 Mogul & IHC Q. See 25/10/3A
illustrating a 1 HP Mogul engine, s/n W2048. What is the year
built? Photo 3B shows an IHC Cub Power Unit as used on the Model 64
IHC combine. It was built in 1947 or 1948. W. Robert Mitchell, 208
High St., Dun-cannon, PA 17020.
A. You will find the Mogul serial number
information in the June 1985 issue of GEM, on page 3. This list
indicates that your engine was built in 1915.
25/10/4 Northwestern Engine
J.F. Mitchell, Box 106, Darlingford, Manitoba R0G 0L0 Canada
would like to hear from anyone with information on a Northwestern
engine made at Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
25/10/5 Unidentified Tractor Q. See the two
photos of an unidentified tractor. Can anyone identify it or supply
any information? Al Green, PO Box 125, Oolagah, OK 74053.
25/10/6 Unidentified Engine Q. The engine in
the photo has a plate which reads in part, ‘H.P. 1?E’ . Is
this an Economy engine? Are decals available? Any information,
including color scheme, will be appreciated. Dana H. Furseuth,
1474- 11th St., Fennimore, WI 53809.
A. The ‘E’ suffix does indeed indicate
that this is an Economy engine, built by Hercules and sold by Sears
&. Roebuck. The engine is finished in a bright red, and Economy
decals are available in the pages of GEM.
25/10/7 Lauson Generator Q. I recently picked
up a small engine/generator. It is a Lauson Model RLG 169-2, s/n
45141. The generator is a Little Pal-made by Whittaker-Upp Co.,
Kansas City, Missouri, Model LPC, s/n 1679, 150-200 watts. Any
information on this unit will be greatly appreciated. David
Loffelmacher, 4527 Decatur St., Apt. 5, Omaha, NE 68104.
25/10/8 Sattley Q. See the photo of a Sattley
air cooled engine. The tag is faded but believe it says 3 HP.
Ignition is flywheel magneto. Tag on backing plate reads: Wico
#FGB. I need to find a source of ignition parts. Would anyone be
able to supply this information? Tommy Coffey, 200 Power Cir., Box
C64-2, Hudson, NC 28638.
25/10/9 Deere Propane Q. See the photo of a
John Deere 1953 propane-powered, adjustable wide-front tractor. We
are interested in hearing of others like it that might still be
around. Let us hear from you. Jack Baker, RR 2, Woodslee, Ontario
NOR 1V0 Canada.
25/10/10 FBM Info Q. What is the year built for
a Fairbanks Morse 1? ‘Z’ engine, s/n 447889? Jerry L.
Moody, RR 1, Box322, Springville, IN 47462.
A. 1920.
25/10/11 Motor-Go Engine Q. Can anyone supply
information on a Motor-Go marine engine, 4 HP, s/n 43789? Wally
Oftedahl, 133 – 22nd Ave South, So. St. Paul, MN 55075.
25/10/12 Info Needed Q. Can you give us the
year built for the following engines: Fairbanks-Morse, 705925;
928104; 35377; 825268. Larry L. Jorgenson, 641 Dewey St., Wisconsin
Rapids, WI 54494.
A. For those engines listed above, the years
are, in order, 1928; 1948; unknown; 1941. For the other makes of
which you inquire, no serial number lists are available.
25/10/13 LeRoi Information Q. My nephew in
Holland collects old engines and needs information on a LeRoi
engine as follows: two Cylinder, Type VP7, s/n 52X284; uses Wico
Model X magneto. He would like to know when it was built, the type
of spark plugs needed, and other owner information. All help will
be greatly appreciated. E. Karl Rudolph, 314 Broken Arrow Road,
Roswell, NM 88201.
Readers Write
Max F. Homfeld, RR 2, Box 697, St. Michaels, MD 21663 offers the
following information in response to the F-12 Farmall article
appearing in the July 1990 GEM:
‘Mark Maikshilo had a very interesting article in the July
1990 GEM entitled ‘1935 F-12 Farmall.’ In it he mentioned
‘freeze plugs’. He shares a very common misconception as to
the purpose of the plugs one sees in cooling jackets. The proper
name for them is ‘core plugs’ and I want to tell why they
are there in many engines.
The outside shape of a cylinder block or cylinder head is cast
in green sand, which is common foundry sand. Foundry sand is
formulated differently in different foundries, but it contains
beach sand, coal dust, and other ingredients. Just the right amount
of moisture is used so that it packs well around the pattern.
Interior surfaces are formed by cores. Core sand is beach sand
mixed with an oil that will harden when the mixture is baked in an
oven. The traditional oil was linseed oil, but synthetics are used
today. These dry (baked) cores are rigid. They are set into the
mold to form water jackets, cylinders, etc. The pattern provides
core prints in the green sand to locate and support the cores. Very
often, the core supports must go right through the wall of the
cylinder block or head. The holes in the castings are later plugged
with a core plug.
The Farmall F-12 has separate replaceable cylinder sleeves so a
cooling jacket core is not needed and there are no core plugs. So,
please don’t use the term freeze plugs; use core plug
instead.
Modelmakers Corner
Having always been intrigued by the performance of a sawmill, I
was prompted to build a model. The model shown in the above photo
was built mostly from odds and ends, even including an old Model T
fan pulley. I power it with an 8 HP Briggs & Stratton engine.
Now that the bugs are out, it saws very accurately. Glenn Shoop,
13918 Collins Rd., Collins, OH 44826.
