Something’s wrong with this year’s Fall Fair project;
usually the paint is drying on its way to the fairgrounds. But this
year, the 4-1/2 HP 1910-12 type A Olds engine I finished last fall
too late for the fair is done. I replaced the valves with turned
down truck valves and reamed the guides to fit. New rings were
ordered from Paul’s Garage listed in GEM. The rest of the
engine just needed to be sandblasted and painted.
I got carried away with things for the cart after going through
my parts shed. The front axle is off an old fork lift, the
90-degree pulley-drive is a cut-down rear-end (car unknown). The
transmission with open shifter fork is from the teens or early
twenties (car unknown). The rear drive is a cut-down Dodge using
the emergency brake band as brakes controlled by an old brake
peddle.
The completed project, engine running. Power take-off from the
flywheel is clearly visible. An old pump handle does duty for
clutch control, and a slider with an old motorcycle shock spring
cushions the rider.
The wheels were made in England (use unknown). We rolled 1/4- by
6-inch flat bar around them and screwed on car tire facing. The
steering box came from a car (car unknown) and a pump handle is
used for clutch control. A friend who collects scrap wood built the
battery box. Fenders are off a Sears riding lawn mower. The #79
iron seat is bolted to a machined aluminum slider from where I
worked 25 years ago. I installed a motorcycle shock spring inside
the cylinder for a softer ride. It just goes to show you, never
throw anything away you may need in time.
In order to show people who do not understand how a hit-and-miss
engine works, I decided to take the power off the flywheel to show
them the engine will fire every time under load. I may have to
change it as third gear is too much of a load for the engine. GEM
is great – the pictures, projects and information gives inspiration
to us all!
Contact engine enthusiast Herb Higginbottom at #91 Deep
Creek Road, Enderby, B. C, Canada V0E 1V3
