R.R. 1, Box 237 Kerhonkson, New York 12446
I am 26 years of age and I have always had an interest in
antique engines and tractors and attended a few engine shows since
I was a teenager.
In October, 1993, I purchased my first engine at the antique car
show in Hershey, Pennsylvania, at the Fall Meet. It was a 1 HP
McCormick-Deering, Type M, Serial AW 1068. I was not sure exactly
how everything worked on it. It steered okay, and all the parts
were there under all that dust and oil. I asked the man if it ran.
He said it had run a few years ago, so I made a deal with him,
loaded it on my truck and took it home, where I unloaded it in
front of the garage door.
When my parents got home, my mother asked, ‘What’s that
old thing?’ My father said, ‘It’s an engine.’ He
looked it over for some time. I told him all about it and he said,
‘We’ll see if we can get it to run next weekend.’
During the week my father and I degreased it and got all the
parts working smoothly, but it did take a couple of days. The
following weekend finally came for the big test. Will it run or
not? We poured some gas in the carburetor and I started to crank it
over. After a few more cranks smoke started to come out of the
muffler. After some more cranking, all of a sudden bang! It went!
And it started to run. I ran to my mother to show her.
Over the winter months I completely went over everything and
replaced anything that needed to be replaced with the help of my
father and Hit & Miss Enterprises. I then painted part after
part and put it back together.
My father made the oak truck for it by hand and ordered the cast
wheel kit for it.
During the first six months of my new hobby I purchased any book
I could about gas engines and I bought two more engines: A 6 HP
Fairbanks-Morse Z from a friend and a 3 HP Associated at an auction
with my father.
I took my McCormick-Deering and Associated engines to the Hudson
Valley Antique Engine Show in Rhinebeck, New York. I had a great
time! I got to talk to a lot of people and learned a lot. I was
proud of my accomplishment of restoring my engine. I’d like to
thank my mom for the use of the garage space for her car and my
father for all the help on my engine and for building the
truck.
I have to say that I think I’m hooked it’s not easy just
owning one engine!
