There is no plate or markings on it except part numbers. In some ways it resembles the Stearns shown in the enclosed reprint.
The Gile reprint is taken from AUTOMOBILE DEALER AND REPAIRER, March, 1918. It is no longer published. The Stearns, is part of the original circular sent to me in 1931 or 32.
I have an implement directory of 1930 listing the Edwards Motor Company of Sandusky, Ohio, as a manufacturer of gas engines. I am wondering if there was any connection with the Edwards Motor Company of Springfield, Ohio.
I checked a Sandusky directory and found it listed. The address given was the same as the Matthews Engineering Company.
Hope some collector has some information on an engine ‘Edwards’ made in Sandusky.
I have in my collection a light plant same as the reprint in March-April G.E.M. sent in by Thomas Jensen. Wonder if any other collectors have one?
Hope to have more information at a later date on the Matthews Boat Company, Port Clinton, Ohio and the Matthews Engineering Company of Sandusky.
ROBERT DONNELLY, Blue Hazel, 14 Hele Road, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon, England writes us: ‘I would first like to thank you for printing my letter so promptly, secondly to thank you for the result it got. I only had one reply regarding my engine but it was a real gem from a man that has seen one working and had a different advert for it. (see March-April G.E.M. page 7 – Robert’s letter of last issue).
Following here is part of the gentleman’s letter concerning the engine and also enclosed is the new ad for it with the alternative trade name i.e. The Little Pet. Mr. Hallead, of Marlette, Michigan writes: ‘I am much interested in your engine because it resembles very closely from your description and also the ad you sent with it, the engine that powered my mother’s washing machine many years ago. Your letter plus an ad I found in ‘The Album of Early American Gas Tractors’ has given me the first real clue to the identity of ‘Mother’s engine. As I remember, my father had to stay close to home on wash day, as you say, convenient as an electric motor, didn’t quite hold true. Also, it seems there was always a little oil dripping from the exhaust pipe.’
As the new ad shows the opposite side of the engine I can clearly see that the coil should be of the trembler type. As Mr. Hallead states that the family engine always had oil drips on the muffler, I guess they must have been built that way. The other thing was the type of plug to use but I guess there wasn’t too much choice in those days so I’ll stick to my old C5.I am now modifying the points system to a conventional car type until a trembler coil becomes available.
Hoping the occasion arrives again for me to write to you on engines, in the meantime thank you for a great magazine that will give me much pleasurable reading in the years to come.’
ROBERT IMMINK, 4185 46th Street, Hamilton, Michigan 49419 has a 1-1/2 HP McCormick stored in a good place and it has not run in 30 years. He got it from his father and is now seeking advice on restoring it. (How about it, Boys-can you help him?)
ARTHUR SCHNELL, R. R. 5, Box 332, Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401 tells it like it is: ‘I recently got a puff of smoke out of my first stationary and now I’m hooked! Now, that I have it running, I would like to paint it in its proper color. It is a 1-1/2 HP McCormick Deering double flywheel, closed crankcase with oil cup on end of crankshaft to lube rod bearing. As it was so rusty, I can’t tell what color it was, so please, can anyone give me the color code numbers? Also, would like to know what color the Fairbanks Morse Model Z family has, or is.
Really like my G.E.M. very much. (Thanks Art, and here’s hoping you get your answers).
DECKER SCHUCH, 2782 N. 71st Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210 is interested in information on a 1 HP Stover Co. washing machine engine. The brass nameplate gives little information other than the point of manufacture which is Freeport, Illinois. Some of the questions he would like answered are: What years were they built? What color were they painted? Is there anyone around who still sells parts? Any help will be appreciated. (Hey, Fellows, do we have any stories in previous issues ABOUT THIS ENGINE?)
AL GRISWOLD, Route 2, Princeton, Minnesota 55371 sends this picture and states: ‘We purchased this tractor last summer. It is a McCormick Deering 10-20 engine transmission and rear end. The tracks were made by Trackson Co. I would like information as to how the steering linkages were made, what type of seat and seat mounting, original color and was there a platform on this model and did it have fenders?’ (There’s five questions, Fellows, get the writing paper!).
Following paragraphs are from two letters received from MAURY MOSES, Box 148, Military Drive, Chatham, Virginia 24531 – it reads: ‘I just received my G.E.M. and I’ll never know how I’ve managed to live without this magazine since its founding in 1966.
The internal combustion bug hit me at an extremely early age, about age six. I think it was when I poured some kerosene in the hot fire box of the family wood cook stove. This wasn’t exactly a gas engine, but I mean things really did pop and move! – and fly around! Well, I lived through the episode without too many scars and later on graduated to real revolving gas engines. They’ve been in my blood for quite some time, so your magazine is right down my alley. As the hippies say (It turns me on).
I have been fascinated by the internal combustion engine since I was a toddler watching my folks sawing up the winter firewood with an old one-lunger pulling a circle saw;—-and then there was the time when I was a 14 year old youngster, I found this old 1904 (year model) Pope 1-cylinder gas buggy in the junk heap down in the woods. This car was an antique even back in those days. I dragged it out and even with my vague and immature knowledge of mechanics, I got the thing running with the aid of some model T Ford parts and some pieces off the family cider mill and my mother’s sewing machine. Never did get any tires or muffler for it. Just bumped and popped around the year on the rims; —- but believe me, every bump, jerk, lurch and pop was an experience in pure ecstasy!
During my first year off at college, my mother sold the old Pope car, along with my 1914 Saxon roadster and John Deere gas engine, to the junk man ‘to help keep me in school (financially)’ she said. I’m sure my dear mother had good intentions and I’ve long ago forgiven her, but I assure you that I have never recovered from a broken heart.
Along about the same time that I was a gas buggy engineer, I developed a profound respect for gasoline. After seeing the fire-eater artist perform at the County Fair, —-he took some kind of fluid in his mouth and blew out a long beautiful blue flame with the greatest of ease, —- so I decided that if he could do it, I could too. So I gathered my neighborhood gang around me for a showoff; —- took a big mouthful of gasoline from a pop bottle, —- held a lighted match up and blew the gasoline at it. Needless to say, I very nearly became a human torch! but thanks to the good Lord, there were no permanent scars left. Oh, the folly of youth! (—and also the folly of an old fool. Ha!)
Well, it’s sure good to know there are so many other people also interested in these old fashioned things, engines and otherwise, and your good magazine, sort of my remote control, helps to bring them together in a kindred spirit. You folks of G.E.M. are to be congratulated. It kind of comforts me to know that I’m not the only ‘old fogey’ around. Not so old in actual years; —- just have an old fashioned heart and spirit.
I’m enclosing a check for some items – better hold up shipment ’til you see whether the check bounces or not (I don’t see why the bank is so fussy about overdrawn checking accounts. I can always go up there and sweep the floor and wash the windows, etc. to pay it off).
Incidentally, you folks up there are predominantly Pennsylvania Dutch, right?? Well, I’m German extraction so maybe we’re cow-cousins? Anyway, we all like gas engines, don’t we, so keep the magazines rolling off the press.
P.S. I notice that practically all the letters, articles, ads, etc. in G.E.M. are by men; a sort of special interest BROTHERHOOD run by two women (Ament and Branyan). Well that’s all right and in order, as women are beginning to run things in the country. Women’s Lib, you know, and it’s all right—a good thing. My wife is a staunch Woman’s Libber. As a matter of fact, she’s been liberated for years and I believe in liberty too. Wish I had a little for myself! To be honest about it, though, I do run things here at our house; the lawn mower, the wheel barrow, the vacuum cleaner, etc.
What I’m really driving at with all this chatter is–I wonder if women (other than the office personnel in Lancaster and Enola) are allowed in this Gas Engine Brotherhood? That is, if a woman wanted to assert her Woman’s Lib rights and wrestle with heavy cast iron engines, overhaul ’em and rebuild ’em, get her hands black and greasy–and send in articles on mechanical analysis and description-could she do it? That is, would she be accepted into the Gas Engine Brotherhood? (—but then it would be as much a sisterhood as a brotherhood, and I’d have to quit calling it a Brotherhood, or I’d have trouble with my wife. She insists on calling the mailman a mail person; of course, firemen are fire people. Oh–the Woman’s Lib terminology!
Well, to get down to the point of this whole matter, there’s a woman in our neighborhood who could certainly qualify as a gas engine enthusiast-that is, if HOT AIR is considered a gas; and it is, if I remember by physics and chemistry correctly.
Well, this lady has a hot air engine for a mouth and she runs in incessantly. Pretty high r.p.m., too. Never seems to run out of fuel or shut down for repairs. The most enthusiastic hot air engine operator I’ve ever seen. Now, I’m not against Woman’s Lib, mind you, but maybe we’d better confine this engine club to the use of gasoline, kerosene and diesel oil. That should eliminate a lot of difficulties.’
This letter came from MAURY MOSES, Box 128, Military Drive, Chatham, Virginia 24531, and I think he missed his calling – he should have been a comedian. There may be women as Maury describes, but I have a feeling he was just making this up for laughs!
(Well, Maury, I just consider your letter as very enjoyable and humorous, but if you want my opinion, I am not a Woman’s Libber -I am against most of their principles and demands. I do believe though, if a woman is able to do a job, the same job a man is doing, she should receive the same pay. Other than that I believe as it tells us in the Bible, that man was made for God and woman was made to be man’s helper (and they are both created by God) but woman is under her husband’s authority – and if this is handled properly it is very beautiful, for the Bible says the husband shall love his wife as himself and you know if that is applied, we are going to have it pretty good! Enough of my gabbing and I think folks will enjoy your letter.)
BASIL AMOS, Russellville, Missouri 65074 sends this: ‘I have often wondered what voltage battery was best to use with the Model T coils, when running the old gasoline engines on them. I was always under the impression that the Model T magneto was 6 volt. But this table taken from a 1917-Dykes Automobile and Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia shows that they varied between 8 and 30 volts. Here is the table: The Relation of the Speed of Magneto to Voltage Generated by the Ford Magneto—200 revolutions per minute of engine, generator generates 8 volts; 300 rpm – 9 2/10 volts; 400 rpm – 12 2/10 volts; 500 rpm -14 4/10 volts; 600 rpm -16 4/10 volts; 700 rpm – 18 8/10 volts; 800 rpm – 20 volts; 900 rpm – 22 8/10 volts; 1000 rpm – 24 3/10 volts; 1200 rpm – 27 volts; 1500 rpm – 30 volts. So not only would it be safe to use 12 volt or larger battery with the coils, but probably would give much better spark.’ (You lost me – hope it is information to you engine bugs).
DICK MCCRAY, 2000 Virginia Heights Drive, Bluefield, West Virginia 24701 writes: ‘In the two weeks after G.E.M. had been out in circulation for the March-April issue, I had five replies to my queries about the magneto for the 1? horsepower Little Jumbo engine which you so kindly included in that issue under the title ‘FOLKSY LETTER’.
The first reply was in the form of a long distance call from Prince Stevens in Gardiner, Maine, followed by a copy of the owner’s manual. Then came letters from Glenn Murphy of Kenmore, New York, Dennis Sattler of Clayton, California, Curtis Kiser of Harrisonburg, Virginia and from William Forman of Troy, New York. Glenn, Curtis and William identify the magneto as being a REMY BROTHERS HIGH TENSION MAGNETO which was made in Anderson, Indiana, before General Motors ‘swallowed up REMY BROTHERS’ and called it Delco-Remy.
So then I knew what to ask for and I enclosed an ad to appear in the Gas Engine Magazine for the next issue in the hope that someone had one of these mags in his collection and would be willing to part with it.
I’m truly grateful to you for publishing my plea for help and for the answers that I’ve received and will continue to receive. These Gas Engine Guys are a grand bunch and I’m proud to be one of them.’
HERBERT M. PERSING, R. D. 1, Pittsfield, Pennsylvania 16340 comments: ‘I want to tell you that the Gas Engine Magazine is Tops. I really do enjoy it. And I would also like to know any data on the REID gas engine.’
Just had a letter from Sally Mull telling of the death of her husband, Carleton M. Mull, 3904 47th Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98118. You will remember he wrote the column ‘How Your Hobby Started’ for quite a few years. We feel he was a valued contributor to the Gas Engine Magazine. Our deep sympathies to Sally and his friends -and I know he had made many friends through the magazine.
H. L. RITTER, Route 5, Box 127, Fulton, New York 13069 would be happy to hear from someone who could tell him how to identify Maytag engines as to model and year.
BUD MOHNEN of Witthaus Resort, S.R. 1, Box 524, Branson, Missouri 65616 writes: ‘I have been receiving your publication for about a year. It was great then and keeps getting better all the time. I have a ‘Gray’ engine I would like to restore but have very little information about it. It was manufactured in Detroit, Michigan. It is fired by a set of points located within the cylinder and runs on kerosene. If any readers can offer any information it will be appreciated.’
A letter of appreciation and questions from GARY TUNKIEICS, 7514 60th Street, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53140: ‘First of all I wish to thank all the people who answered by plea for help in restoring my C and CC Cases. I now know the ages of my tractors after having contacted Case Company and I was told that my C is a 1935 and my CC is a 1931.1 know of no one around here who owns a 1931 CC and I believe Case didn’t manufacture very many of them. I’m also interested in hearing from other owners of 1935 C Cases.
Also, I am interested in serial numbers as I am trying to figure out how many of the L, C, CC etc. are still around, so could all who answer my letter please send me the serial numbers of their tractors.
I have a question that I have asked other Case owners, but nobody really knows the answer. At the same time the C and CC Cases were being built, Case also built a tractor called Model CCS. Could anyone tell me what the CCS looked like and about how many did Case build and what were the dates of manufacture. I would also like to hear from anyone who owns a CCS Case.’
DON WILLIAMS, Box C, Lake Katrine, New York 12449 has an informative letter: ‘I enjoy seeing what other collectors of old tractors and engines are doing. I have, to date, six tractors and 18 engines, including a 5 HP Domestic side shaft, – I just bought it last Fall. I ordered some parts from Gordon Nelson in Minnesota. The order was lost in shipment and he was very concerned about it and made two long distance phone calls to me and finally had to send a new shipment. I want to thank him very much for his trouble, and also to tell the guys who order parts from Gordy Nelson, that they will be doing business with a great guy.’
One of our younger members, JEFF BARTHELD, Route 2, Box 145, Rogers, Minnesota 55374 writes: ‘I am 16 years old and really enjoy your magazine. This year, my father and I started seriously collecting gas engines. We have four Maytags and an Alpha and a 4 cylinder inlined air-cooled Leroi. Not many people have seen one of these engines, so I am sending a picture of it. It has a Kato lite generator.
This is a 6 HP Witte engine made about 1917 which I restored in 1974. The lady in the center, Mrs. Clarence Higgins helped her father (former owner of engine) run the engine in a grist mill, near Hockessin, until he passed away in 1933. She’s 84 years old now. The man on the left is her husband and on the right is her brother, Bayard Brackin.
The marine engine to the right is a Caille belonging to Marvin Klair. Photo is by Joe Brinton of Photo Associates, Wilmington, Delaware taken at Klair’s 4th Annual Gas Engine Party at 2801 Old Linestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. Courtesy of Dauid H. Reed, 1306 Kirkwood Hwy., Elsmere, Wilmington, Delaware 19805.
The history of this engine is a brief one. Its years were 1939-1940 and only 200 were made in this time. It is egg shell white with brass plates on the box in the back.
I would enjoy hearing from someone who has an engine like this or any other engine and I would like a colored picture of a Stickney. I have met some good friends through antique gas engines and especially one I know in New York, so to the ‘Rev.’ I say a special Hello.’
(Thanks Jeff – for writing – we enjoy hearing from the younger gas engine ‘buffs’ also.)
I hear there is to be a Gas Engine Meet at Indian Rock Farm, West Brookfield, Massachusetts on July 31st. Everybody welcome. Also old crafts on display – picnic and a good time. I don’t even know who this came from and it certainly sounds like a new organization – so will, therefore mention it this time in the column, as I know they are not listed in the Steam and Gas Show Directory – and may we wish you the best of fortune with your show and great hopes for its continuation.
E. WM. TIMMERMAN, Route 1, Box 111, Oakley, Illinois 62552 chats with us by mail: ‘I have been a subscriber from the very first issue and have every issue in my files. It is so interesting to look and read the back issues. I have in my collection, 18 engines ranging from 1? to 6 horsepower. Besides the smaller Briggs & Stratton and Maytags, I also have a 32 volt Delco light plant.
One Maytag I prize very highly is a brand new twin cylinder. The dealer had removed it from a washing machine as the customer wanted an electric motor on the Maytag washer. Enclosed is an ad from the Comfort Magazine of October 1915.
John Machochek, Michelle Lins and Mike Lins are shown in the 1975 Scott-Carver Show Parade at Jordon, Minnesota. Mike is driving his home-built 26 HP Crossley tractor.
The two engines are both Galloways, one is a 4 HP and one is a 6 HP. Both engines were cleaned, painted and striped by me, in my shop this summer, for their owner, Fred Kulig of Whitehall, Wisconsin.
I got started with gas engines in October of 1960 when my father came from an auction with an old 1-1/2 HP John Deere. We spent much time it restored. By the time we finished it, we were hooked. We have acquir 40 engines and have them all restored and mounted on trucks. Out engine is a 12 HP LaCrosse Happy Farmer. It has two cylinders and r well. Most of our engines are 1-1/2, 3, 4 and 6 HP.
Fred Kulig also is a local collector and has as many engines as we do. I am a school teacher and enjoy the relaxation that working on a rusty hulk and getting it to puff brings. In the summertime, I often do painting and lettering of engines for other people. Engines are getting too expensive in our area, so now I have to be content to work on other peoples engines.
This is a 1? HP Faultless engine, priced at only $16.95. Looks like a real bargain/in those days.
SGT. J. R. HAJOSTEK, Box 711, Grovetown, Georgia 30813 sounds a bit (down in the dumps) as he pens this letter: ‘I hate to say this, but its a waste of time to think maybe an old time gas engine club could start in Georgia. I’ve been stationed here for two years with the Army and have tried to get one started. I have even helped people get their engines running, without charge, so that they might want to start a Club. I have even tried to show my engines at County Fairs, but they just don’t want that junk around. They say someone might get hurt. I sure would like to see one started down here, because there are old time engines almost everywhere. Yes, I said almost EVERYWHERE.
Most of these engines are setting under pine trees, rusting away. I have found a few in a pump house that has fallen in. The reason I havn’t bought more engines is because I don’t make that much on Army pay. However, of the four I have bought, I didn’t pay more than $35.00. They are 1? HP Johnny Boy, 2 HP and a 5 HP Stover and a 2? HP Fairbanks. At the present time, I have all of these engines running.
This Summer I’ll be going overseas to Germany for two years. I’m hoping I might find an engine while I’m there. I would like to know if there are any old time gas engine clubs over there. If so, where might a person find them? I sure would appreciate any help anyone could give me.
Then Sarge adds a P.S. ‘Enclosed you’ll find a short poem I wrote, sure hope you’ll like it’, so I thought I’d pass it on to the readers:
And to Sgt. John I’d like to say -Don’t give up, maybe when you come back there will be more interest – the hobby really is growing and you know it takes a good while to get anything worthwhile started. Also, Georgia will probably have a Gas Engine Rush for all those engines that are available – and in this case a Georgia peach will not be a fruit.
From J. E. STIVERSON, 90 South Market Street, Mount Sterling, Ohio 43143 sends us this information taken from a 1924 Popular Mechanics. Although it concerns bearings in an automobile, it could very well be used on the bearings of any engine.
My father-in-law and I have been collecting and showing gas engines for the past five years and your great magazine and the wealth of information it contains has been a great help to us.
E. R. WOLF, Climax, Michigan 49034 is seeking information on Lodge & Shiple lathe. He needs to know gear combination on 4?’ lead screw. (I don’t understand what he is seeking, but I’m sure many of you men will know).
From the Lone Star State comes this writing by FRED BURKHARDT, Jr., Route 3, Box 136, Robstown, Texas 78380: ‘I have been receiving G.E.M. for almost a year and enjoy it very much.
I am hoping someone can help me with a one-cylinder Fairbanks Morse ‘Z.’ It is a three HP 450 rpm and his throttling governor, breaker point type igniter and gear driven Sumter Electric Co. Mag. from Chicago, Illinois.
I bought a new set of piston rings that, according to the S.N. are correct. They fit the piston and groove. However, the second and third piston grooves have a lug or pin imbedded to keep the rings from turning. The old rings are angle cut and have a notch cut in one side where they come together. This is on the bottom side of the piston.
The new rings are straight cut and have no notch. Should I file out the lug in the piston groove or try to file out a notch in the new rings. What is the reason for the lugs?
I also need paint color and year model of this engine and some date for a Stover 4 HP speed 525, type ‘K,’ No. KG206687, a Witte 4 HP, No. 31731 and a small Monitor pump jack engine, no S.N. plate. I will appreciate any help.
From our good friend, MAURY H. MOSES, Box 148, Military Drive, Chatham, Virginia 24531 comes this interesting bit: AL DUNDGREN, 108 Killam Hill Road, Boxford, Massachusetts 01921 relates this data: ‘I am, and have been in the employ of Fairbanks Morse (at Beloit, Wisconsin) since 1938 as a field service representative. It is for this reason that I am amused by some of the pictures and articles at times, of the Fairbanks engines with serial numbers in the 800,000 bracket being restored and placed in museums.
Just last week, I worked on a pair of old 12′ YVA engines that were put in service in 1932 and now operate 16 to 24 hours per day and seven days a
week at a water pumping station and the customer expects another ten years of service before they can be retired.
Actually, (an old engine never dies) and thanks to all the interest of the old engine buffs, (it can no longer fade away). Here, in New England there are many old Fairbanks Morse units of serial numbers in the high 600,000 bracket and ready for operation if the need be-in many cases, the owners would like to acquire a second similar unit.’ (Surely speaks well for the F-M’s and I believe, Al, you enjoy your work).
And that about winds it up for this time – enjoy the tremendous shows that are in progress all over our wonderful Nation – be proud of our heritage – have a great time traveling this great country of ours – I say ‘God Bless America’ – and God Bless you, too — GEMuinely, Anna Mae.
Removing Crankshaft End Play
End play in the crankshaft of an automobile engine results in considerable wear on various parts. In a light car that has its magneto incorporated with the flywheel, such end play will not only vary the intensity of the light and the strength of the ignition, due to the varying distance between the magneto coils and magnets, but will often result in weakening of the magnets and breakdown of the coils, owing to the scraping of the magnets against the coil cores.
This trouble is usually remedied by fixing a shim to the end of the bearing cap with solder and pins. A better method, however, is to use a brass shim of the type shown in the illustration. It can be attached much more easily and is more satisfactory than the shim on each end of the cap. It is placed on the face of the bearing cap, and the ends are bent over as indicated.
