Kitty encourages engine restorers to read the article in this issue about an engine specification book being created.
A good day to you. We’re slowly getting spring around here.
We were honored by a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Idol of North
Carolina and they told us they’d had spring for 3 weeks or
so.
First of all, I’d like to urge all of you engine restorers to read the
article on Mel Cameron’s project to have a specification book
printed on all gas engines. You’ll find it in this issue. This
would be a great help, I’m sure, to all you engine restorers
and of interest to many others. We can’t seem to locate many
books on old gas engines and Mel’s efforts are certainly
appreciated. I’m hoping any of you that can help him out and
contribute to the book will do so.
Vic Cooper of Coatesville, Indiana tells me that the small
engine pictured on page of the January/February Issue in the “What is it” column is “Little Major.” Manufactured
by the Chicago Flexible Shaft Company, Chicago, Illinois. He has
one of these engines in nearly new condition.
Mr. James D. Donaven, York, Pennsylvania
would like to correspond with someone who shares his interest in
John Deere Tractors. He is also looking for copies of old John
Deere Manuals, early 30’s — late 20’s, etc.
J. O. Lee, Irene, South Dakota has in his collection of gas
engines a 12 hp Gade, 2 cylinder, opposed air cool gas engine. He
wonder’s if there is another like it around anymore.
Fred Gertje, Orofino, Idaho wonders if any of our readers have
either seen or do own an engine that bears the label “Sieverkropp Engine Co., Racine, Wis. Pat. 1910.” He says a
picture of this engine wouldn’t help much, as the gas tank,
timer, and cooling system are missing. It is two cycle, two
cylinder job, with one con rod and one middle bearing on the crank
shaft. It uses a HT spark plug, and the former owner said it was
used on a small cement mixer. The cylinders are about 2 feet. The
fresh gas mix is fed into the crankcase and comes into one cylinder
at the end of the power stroke, and exhaust fumes all go out the
port on the other.
Adolph Antholz, McDonald, Kansas needs information or a
paint chart on a 40-80 Avery Gas Tractor. Could anyone help him
out? John Neagley, Rossford, Ohio recently
acquired an air cooled gas engine. While restoring it he found the
name ATLAS casted in on the connecting rod and the exhaust push
rod. What he’d like to know is where it was made, and when. The
bore and stroke is 3 feet by 3 feet and the flywheel diameter is
10 feet.
Fred McPhail, Ontario, Canada is
looking for someone to explain the difference in the rating of 40
hp in steam and gas. Come on, you experts. Attention all readers in
and around Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Tom Downing, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania wants to know if there are any “Aetna” engines or others made in Ellwood City. This is the name of the
company founded by a Swiss inventor and gas engine builder that Tom
is doing some research on.
Elmer Allshouse, Greensburg, Pennsylvania has
picked up a gas engine that he has never seen before. He would like
to get in touch with anyone who has one. The engine is a Emerson
& Brontingham, 1 1/2 hp, Type H.
Now here we have a problem that will take a little thinking to
straighten out. Amos Stauffer, Ephrata, Pennsylvania has
this puzzle to solve. He just bought a Gile 2 cylinder opposed
piston horizontal three wheel tractor. It was advertised as a La
Crosse 8-16 1909 tractor, but he can find no La Crosse name on it.
He is of the opinion that it is a “Happy Farmer” but by
information received, it was sold by a La Crosse dealer. He would
like someone to explain the relation and dates of the following.
(1) Gile Tractor & Engine Co., Ludington, Michigan Serial:J1436, 650-900 rpm. (2) Gild Model Q, 18 hp, Drawbar, 4 cylinder.
(3) La Crosse Model A, B, & G, Happy Farmer. (4) Allis
Chalmers. Amos would like to write us an article about his new
tractor, but needs more information and manufacturing history on it
first.
I hope you’re getting ready for the summer reunions. May
yours be a great success. If we can help you out with samples,
subscription blanks, books, etc. please drop us a card. We hope to
see many of you that we met last summer and many more new faces
this coming summer. If I’ve forgotten your name since last time
we met, please excuse me. I hope you’ll just come right up and
let us have another chat to get reacquainted.
