Oil Field Engine Society News

By Staff
Published on April 1, 2001
1 / 5
A 1994 picture of Fred Juhnke and Ray James' 25 HP Cooper Bessemer.
A 1994 picture of Fred Juhnke and Ray James' 25 HP Cooper Bessemer.
2 / 5
A more current picture of Juhnk /James engine, now running.
A more current picture of Juhnk /James engine, now running.
3 / 5
90 HP Superior oil engine owned by Steve and Nick.
90 HP Superior oil engine owned by Steve and Nick.
4 / 5
Nick's 75 HP Cooper Bessemer.
Nick's 75 HP Cooper Bessemer.
5 / 5
Nick's 40 HP Bovaird Seyfang with 20 kw generator.
Nick's 40 HP Bovaird Seyfang with 20 kw generator.

1231 Banta’s Creek Road Eaton, Ohio 45320-9701

This month we have a letter from Bill Tremel, who has been
working on an Oilfield engine list on the World Wide Web, and also
a site for the society.

He says, ‘Fellow Oafs: I would like to inform not only the
OAFS, but also other fellow engine collectors and enthusiasts who
have the ability to use the Internet, to check out the new OFES web
site. This site will be a simple reference point for anyone who is
interested in oilfield engines. Currently, the web address is
http://www.tremel.net/ofes. There will be links to online articles,
the OFES internet mailing list, online manuals and documentation,
and just about anything OAFS. Feel free to log on and take the
‘Oafs’ Oath and become a member of the fastest and most
exciting group around.

‘I would also like to mention that I keep a handful of
complete original documentation for some of the most common
oilfield and other antique engines online. Just go to my home page
at http:www.tremel.net and checkout the online documentation. I
would like to post a public message asking my fellow collectors to
please help me grow this incredible resource. I would like to
receive good clean copies of engine manuals. Please do not send me
manuals that other vendors have created and sold. The copies that I
receive MUST be original owners and operators manuals.

‘Please feel free to send copies to: Bill Tremel, 90 Newman
Hill Road, Clays-ville, PA 15323, or you can call me at (724)
484-0311. Thanks.’

Next, we have a story from Fred Juhnke and Roy Janes of Michigan
about their Cooper Bessemer and some of their experiences; they
included two photos.

‘Dear Russell, We want to become OFES! We own a 25 HP Cooper
Bessemer closed crank, Model GAB, serial #38795.

‘We purchased this engine in 1994 in very bad condition.
Then we built a two axle trailer to mount it on (not quite heavy
enough). The total weight is now nearly 10,000 pounds. At this
point we modified the trailer, installing a third axle and
increasing the spring size to accommodate this load.

‘The piston was stuck, and there was no bearing box for the
rod. It had no governor, and the reed valve plates and springs were
rusted beyond recognition.

‘The biggest project was to free the piston; that is a
lengthy story in itself. Then came the making of a bearing box and
bearing, assembly, and trying to make it run. We added a pony
engine to help this process.

‘Not being experienced OFES, we knew nothing of oil field
engines, and how they ran. We soon learned. Sometimes through good
experiences, and sometimes through bad.

‘Now, we’re proud to say that we have one of the nicest
running engines in the area, and have had it at most of the engine
shows in western Michigan.

‘The pictures show a couple of shots of our engine, one on
the day we brought it home, and the other of it in its running
condition.’

Nick Poncelet’s Photos:

Nick Poncelet of Montana sent some good photos of engines owned
by him and Steve Skyberg:

The first is a 40 HP Bovaird Seyfang with 20 KW generator. The
next photo is of his 75 HP Cooper-Bessemer, and the third picture
is of a 90 HP Superior oil engine owned by Steve and Nick.

Many thanks to all who have shared their photos and stories.
Feel free to call or write anytime to talk oilfield engines, or for
membership in the Oil Field Engine Society.

Yours Fraternally, Russell L. Farmer

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