This is a tale of two Economy engines that I recently bought,
one of which I will add to my collection after some changes are
made on it, and the other which was bought for the parts needed to
make some changes on the first.
Take a look at the picture (Photo #1) of the first engine.
It’s a Hercules-built 1- HP Economy Model S with a 1926 casting
date on it, and I paid $600 for it. But wait, something is wrong
here, the engine has an igniter set up for a battery and coil
ignition for a much older engine rather than the proper Wico EK
magneto system.
Obviously, something will have to be done about that, but what?
Do I spend $350 to get the necessary magneto and associated parts?
This engine has a reproduction tag with a non-conforming serial
number stamped on it, and the fuel fill spout is a reproduction. I
grabbed hold of it to unscrew it so I could look it over, and when
I did the tank fitting came loose leaving me with a dangling fuel
spout.
Fortunately, the engine has good compression and everything else
seems to be there and in working condition. These were major
considerations to start with. It is on a nicely made cart but,
alas, it is not of the proportions or design I prefer – on the
small carts I make I have one removable handle that fits them all.
I have something special in mind for this engine, which will become
apparent at a later date.
Now take a look at the second engine (Photo #2), which is a 1920
Hercules-built Economy 1- HP Model E that I bought for $500. It,
too, has good compression and other important parts, all of which
seem quite functional. You will likely notice it has a Wico EK
magneto system on it. Any guesses on where the Wico system on this
engine will be used? Yep, on the first engine, and the igniter
system from the first engine will be transferred to this
engine.
Although both engines show up in the pictures as having nice
paint jobs, they will have to be redone before striping and
properly applying decals. There are other details (such as proper
oilers, fuel spouts and check valves) to be reckoned with, and the
quality of their fuel tanks is an unknown at this time. Luckily,
all the major wear points seem to be fairly tight.
Now, I am sure that you have seen these smaller Hercules-built
Economy engines for sale many times. Asking prices of $600, $700,
$800, $900 – or more – for what appear to be complete and running
engines are common. But it’s been my experience that it often
takes another $200 or so to bring an engine back to a reasonably
original state of repair, so you can see that the $500 and $600
engines can easily become $700 and $800 engines – if you are lucky
and charge nothing for your time, effort and mileage. But, hey,
that’s what the hobby is all about.
Next issue we should have some interesting Hercules related
observations and, hopefully, pictures from the Tri-State Gas Engine
and Tractor Show in Portland, Ind. We’ll see you then.
Glenn Karch is a noted authority on Hercules engines.
Contact him at: 20601 Old State Road, Haubstadt, IN 47639, or
e-mail at: glenn.karch@gte.net