P.O. Box 2334 Rochester, Michigan 48308
Back in March 1990, and in October 1993, I had the privilege of
sharing with you two nice gas engines: a Badger side shaft and an
Ironwood. I would like to take this opportunity while I have
nothing to do, as I am flying from Michigan to Fort Myers, Florida,
for a Thanksgiving vacation, to thank my God for the many things I
have to be thankful for.
The story I would like to share with you is about a two
flywheel, 8 HP Pattin Brothers engine. It is a hot tube engine with
upright flyball governors, manufactured in Marietta, Ohio, serial
#2910. I have a gas engine friend who lives about 30 miles from
Marietta. He has one of the largest gas engine and Yellow Dog
collections I have ever seen. While looking over his collection one
day, I spied an 8 HP Pattin Brothers engine over against the side
wall of his pole barn, with two or three engines sitting in front
of it. When I got back to the engine I could tell it needed a lot
of ‘TLC.’ I told my friend I was looking for a winter
project like this one. He let me know he does not sell engines, he
only buys them. Those of you who know who I am talking about, you
know what I mean. After a two or three hour discussion, four or
five phone calls, six months later and a high price for the engine,
I picked it up on my way home from a show in Sistersville, West
Virginia.
At home I had an 8 HP combination Pattin Brothers with a lot of
extra parts. After cleaning, working and machining it through the
winter, I had it ready for painting in the spring. After painting
and assembling, I had my first experience trying to start a hot
tube engine. This engine could also be set up to run on a Wico P.R.
mag with gasoline or propane. Mine is a hot tube and propane.
I showed the 8 HP Pattin Brothers twice this past summer; once
at Seven Ponds, Dryden, Michigan, and I also had the privilege of
showing it about 25 miles from where it was manufactured at the
Sistersville Show in West Virginia. I always like going to the
Sistersville Show.
Mr. Anderson and his co-workers always give you a friendly
‘Glad to have you!’ greeting. This last year, at the
Sistersville Show, they had 189 exhibits and 13 states represented
with over 500 engines, models and tractors. The show has acquired
more land and can accommodate a larger show than in the past.
My 8 HP engine felt right at home at the Sistersville Show. It
was one of the smaller oil field engines shown there this year.
Another reason I like this show is that I see a lot of different
oil field and farm engines there. I hope to see Mr. Anderson and
his coworkers at the 1995 27th annual oil and gas engine show.
I am presently working on two more Pattin Brothers engines. One
is a two flywheel, 5 HP Pattin Brothers hot tube ignition, serial
#3510; the other is a 6 HP Pattin Brothers Wico P.R. mag ignition,
serial #3527. If anyone could provide the dates these engines were
manufactured, I would appreciate hearing from them. Also, I need a
connecting rod and a cam gear that runs the engine in reverse for a
5 or 6 HP Pattin Brothers engine. Please contact me if you have an
extra connecting rod or cam gear.
I heard that Pattin Brothers Engine Company made a 5 or 6 HP
combination. I would like to hear from anyone who has or knows
someone who has a small 5 or 6 HP combination. I hope to have these
two engines at the 1995 Sistersville Show.
I am about two-thirds of the way to Fort Myers, and it’s
time for a nap. Looking forward to the 1995 show year and seeing
all of you!