Jr. Route 1, Box 305A, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
At top, making the final adjustments on a 5 HP Fuller &
Johnson Type N-standing left is Bill Dittemore, Fredericksburg,
Texas, on his left, squatting is Allen Hein, a Drill Instructor at
Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, whose home is in Osage, Iowa;
Man with back to camera is T. H. Krueger of San Antonio, in
background with colored glasses, Eldon Hungerford of Osage, Iowa,
who is Allen Heins father-in-law, and Wilbur Pressler of
Fredericksburg, all engine collectors.
HERE IS A HAPPY MAN! T. H. Krueger of San Antonio on March 17,
1973 in Fredericksburg, Texas. He is busy watching Bill
Dittemore’s 5 HP Type N Fuller and Johnson engine. Ted brought
his battery box along and the engine will run on magneto or
battery, it is easier to start on battery than on magneto.
Once every few years an opportunity comes along for an engine
collector to acquire an outstanding engine. This happened to me
during the last week in December, 1972 by way of a long distance
telephone call from a friend of mine. The engine was located west
of San Antonio, near Rio Medina, and I called Ted Krueger and he
and I went after the engine not knowing what we would find, but
hoping for the best. Ted, his granddaughter and I found the house,
and the owner. We looked at the engine and I bought it in a very
few minutes.
The engine is a Fuller and Johnson, Type N, 5 HP. It is equipped
with a hit and miss governor, an accurate low tension magneto, and
ignitor. This type N gasoline engine is equipped to burn kerosene.
It has a bell-shaped cast iron housing that fits behind the
muffler. This is one of two air intakes controlled by dampers which
serve as chokes. The air can be brought in around the muffler,
warming it to more efficiently burn kerosene. Evidently it is a
factory accessory.
Verne Kindschi had no record of any engine being outfitted like
this. Mr. Kindschi also informed me that the engine was shipped
from the factory on August 21, 1917.
Most parts of the engine were badly rusted and frozen. After
much soaking, scraping, buffing, light tapping and advice from Ted
Krueger, I got the engine taken apart. Again after much help,
encouragement and advice from Ted I got it back together and
running. Ted made the final adjustments so it ran real nice.
Wilbur Pressler, a neighbor who is a machinist, was also of help
in getting the engine to run.
Ted also has an easy way to start an ignitor equipped engine
using a battery and coil. He primes the engine, rocks it against
compression and flips the ignitor and it starts; saves a lot of
cranking.
Incidentally, those of us who have the opportunity to know Ted
Krueger are fortunate. Ted is a fine man, a good friend, and truly
knowledgeable when it comes to engines. Ted is patient,
accommodating and willing to share his knowledge with those who
need to know.
We see and read a lot about ecology, saving our environment and
preserving rare and endangered species. A lot of us are preserving
some rare and endangered engine species, having a lot of fun, and
making new friends while doing it.
