20601 Old State Road Haubstadt, Indiana 47639
For the past few years articles have been coming your way about
many of the interesting features in regard to the Hercules and
related engines. During this time, interest has certainly picked up
on these engines. A lot of letters and phone calls (812-867-5266)
have been received that had requested-information or had
information to furnish.
In 1999 there will be a special event that many Hercules,
Economy, ARCO, Jaeger and Thermoil and related engine owners will
want to be part of. On June 11, 12 and 13, 1999 these engines will
be featured at a special event to recognize 85 years since the
first engines were built by the Hercules Gas Engine Company of
Evansville, Indiana. It will also recognize 90 years since the
first Economy engines were built at the Holm Manufacturing Company
of Sparta, Michigan. These latter engines were the Hercules
forerunners.
This special event will be held at the Classic Iron Show at
Evansville, Indiana, and hosted by Southern Indiana Antique Machine
Club, Inc. (SIAM). Even though this event is well over a year away,
it is time to start thinking about it and to make exhibit or
spectator plans.
Questions continue to come up in regard to proper paint colors
to use in the restoration of these engines. No authentic paint
color information exists that I know of. From observation and
experience, here are the paints and colors that I use. Most are
readily available ‘off the shelf paints.
For Hercules models D through N, use Rust-O-Leum Hunter
Green.
For Hercules models S, X and J, use the current John Deere
Green.
For all Economy engines, use Tru Value X-O-Rust International
Harvester Red.
For Jaeger engines, use Tru Value X-O-Rust Ford Blue.
For Arco engines, use the Ford Blue and add enough gray to take
the edge off of the bright blue and to give a hint of gray.
For Thermoil models U and UA, use the IHC Red.
For Hercules Oil Engines, use the current John Deere Green.
For Thermoil model T, use Musk Green as used on 1972 to 74 FIAT
cars. You’ll have to find your own source.
Another of the illusive ‘Waterloo Economy’ engines has
shown up, bringing the total to ten that I currently know about.
There are six of the 2 HP size, including numbers 7435, 7571, 7798,
7892, 9359 and 9679. There are four of the 4 HP size, including
numbers 6874, 7580, 8399, and the newest addition, number 8606. All
serial numbers of these engines fall between 6,000 and 10,000. Are
there more out there?
The Internet seems to be a growing thing, but I am not part of
that crowd yet. There has been a Hercules page developed by Keith
Kinney of Evansville, Indiana. I am being of some assistance in
providing information that has or will be appearing there. If you
haven’t found the Hercules page, turn on your search engine and
look it up.