Mystery Engine

By Staff
Published on November 1, 1977
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240 Chapin Road, Hampden, Massachusetts, 01036

I would like to tell you about what I call the ‘Mystery
Engine’. So far, no one in our area has been able to identify
it. The engine came from the woods near the Berkshire foothills.
When I first saw it, the engine was almost over on its side as the
elaborate cart that once carried it had long ago disintegrated.
Several sizable saplings had to be moved before the engine could be
loaded in my truck. Fortunately, I had enlisted the aid of a good
neighbor and master mechanic, Vern Rodiman, and together with
patience, and planks we managed to move the one ton engine in my
half ton 51 G.M.C. pick-up.

The man who gave me permission to take the engine from his
property said that someone had been there a week before and
apparently tried to break up or cut up the engine for scrap. One of
the lead flyballs on the governor had been sheared through as well
as the bolts securing the bearing caps for the crankshaft. The
torch man started to cut through the round connecting rod, but
never finished. Perhaps he was frightened off or maybe the good
Lord saw fit to clog the tip of the torch! At any rate, I wilt be
able to save the engine as it wasn’t too severely damaged.

The shield that houses the connecting rod and bearing had long
ago been broken, possibly by some passing boy who threw a rock at
it. 1 found eight pieces on the forest floor and have successfully
welded them back together. The ninth and final piece is missing and
I will have to make that out of 3/16′ flat stock steel and join
that to the cast iron. Our local Industrial Arts Instructor at the
high school has been kind enough to cast two new fly balls for the
governor so part of the restoration process is under way. The
flywheels are 42′ and have H-811 cast on them. In fact, all
parts are prefixed with the letter H (if that indicates anything).
The bore is 7′ with a stroke of 11′. I feel it is an
attractive engine with a nicely shaped water hopper which looks
almost like an urn. There is an igniter and the bearing caps and
the connecting rod are bronze or brass. The magneto is missing and
so is that nice little brass nameplate that could tell so much-but
that junky probably took it and added it to his brass scrap. If
anyone could help me with the name, location, and any other
information regarding the engine’s manufacturer, I would
certainly appreciate hearing from them.

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