Hi! Well, I don’t know how it is where you are – but where
we are -well, we had a long Indian summer and lots of cold weather,
and then POW! We got all the snow we should have had for a couple
times. And I have so many letters this time to go into the column,
I’m not going to take your time with my gabbing; so here goes
with the first letter from:
RAY PICHEL, R.D. 1, Hellertown, Pennsylvania 18055 has a side
shaft 6 HP Kenwood engine and would like to know if anyone else has
one. (By the sound of that, it must be very rare – if someone else
has one, please let Ray know – and us too.)
THOMAS E. SMALL, Route 1, Box 868, Roscommon, Michigan 48653
sends this letter of praise -‘In the last G.E.M. there was a
letter of gratitude from Neil Erickson of Midland, Michigan. He
stated he didn’t have time to work on his Witte engine for he
was getting ready for a reunion. Well, the ones of us that attended
this reunion owe Mr. Erickson a vote of gratitude, for Mr. Erickson
put on this reunion by himself. It was a very good show and we had
a good time.
As long as we have men around like Neil Erickson, these old
engine shows will be a great form of entertainment. I would like to
thank Neil for the work he put out, so we could all enjoy
ourselves.’
R. F. SOMERVILLE, 12498 232 St., Maple Ridge P.O., Haney.
British Columbia, Canada tells us he has tried to buy an 18 page
1918-1920 sales catalog on the 10-20 Titan tractor, but received no
answers at all. Is there anyone can help him out, perhaps lend him
some information. He used to operate one of these tractors in the
1920s.
HARRY LEE, Box 119, Elnora, Indiana 47529 says he has a few old
tractors, McCormick Deerings, ranging from 1923 models and up. He
would be happy to have someone write his hobby up for our magazine
and take pictures. Anyone out around there that is interested in
the G.E.M. for this purpose, contact Harry.
FRANK HAPP, SR., 1725 Hatteras Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40504
sends us this note -‘Woodworking has been my hobby, but now I
got myself a 1-1/2 Fairbanks Morse 500 rpm engine No. 160956 to
work on – after my boy got one. I’ve been working on plumbing
and heating for 55 years and used to work on pumps and the like
years ago. The engine will be a change from woodworking once in a
while. The magneto is missing from the engine – some say I can hook
up with battery – do I need a Ford coil?’ (I don’t know,
does he fellows – write him and help him out.)
MILO BLAUVELT, Bremo Bluff, Virginia 23022 asks this question,
‘Does anyone know anything about the naphtha engines that were
used in small boats or launches about the beginning of the 1900s?
My Mother tells me her father had a small launch up on the Hudson
River years ago. She was a young girl then and does not remember
much about it. — But it was a naphtha launch.
WILLIAM N. STARKEY, 6701 Dorsey Road, Laytonsville, Maryland
20760 writes: ‘I have recently acquired an engine and am in
hopes somebody in GEM Land will help me. The engine is a 1-1/2 HP
vertical made by the Charter Gas Engine Co. of Sterling, Illinois.
It has Serial Number 2022 and according to an old letter which came
with the engine, it was built in 1902. The engine is complete
except for water and gas tanks and the air intake control. I am
hoping that someone will have information on these items and will
let me know how they looked and where the two tanks were
located.’ (Come on GEM Land folks – help Bill answer his
questions).
And right now, I want you to know – we need Help here on the
home front – anyone having an extra September-October Gas Engine
Magazine – please send them to us. Some fellows received two copies
of that issue and we are out of them. We do need some very badly,
so please send them along if you can. If you request, we will pay
you the postage.
We want to send Best Wishes for a speedy recovery to Carleton M.
Mull who writes ‘How Your Hobby Started’. He has had a trip
to the hospital and surgery and does not know if he will be able to
write for awhile. I’m sure you all join, with me in wishing him
the very best in recuperating. Our prayers are with you Carleton –
hurry back to us.
From across the waters one of our friends is seeking some
information as GORDON DUKES, 33 Victoria Road, Retford, Notts,
DN227DQ, England writes: ‘I am in the process of restoring a
1919 3 HP Z type Fairbanks Morse open crank stationary engine and
wondered if any of you readers could inform me as to the type of
spark plug used and if possible, the details of the carburetor and
exhaust pipe. The magneto fitted is an American Bosch Type AB33 ED1
Number 2953587. I am hoping to have this engine ready for April
1974 so any advice will be appreciated and all letters
answered.’
JOHN VOELPEL, 2770 West Creek Road, Newfane, New York 14108 owns
2 IHC 10-20’s and would like to know if there is a way that you
can tell the age of them without knowing the serial numbers. He
would be happy with any data he could get on them. He also has an
IHC 9-12 that he would like to know more about – (To his aid,
Men)!
GARY J. OECHSNER, R.R. 1, Campbellsport, Wisconsin 53010 wants
to thank everyone who sent him information on his Red E. Gorden
tractor. Now, he needs some more information on an engine he
recently purchased, a Detroit 2 cycle upright, water-cooled. He
would like to know what type of carburetion used, color,
horsepower, date of manufacture. He would also be glad to
correspond to any owners of this type and make of engine.
BRUCE GOSS, R.R. 3, Coldwater, Ontario, Canada LOK1EO writes:
‘I have recently acquired the following engine: Ferro Marine
Engine, 2 cylinder manufactured by The Ferro Machine and Foundry
Company, Cleveland, Ohio, Type P, 8 HP, No. 31555. The carburetor
is missing from the engine. I would appreciate any correspondence
regarding the type of carburetor and the year of manufacture of
this engine.
I would also like to hear from anyone that can provide the year
of manufacture for a Petter, Jr. 2 cycle engine.
I enjoy reading each issue of your magazine.’ (Thanks Bruce,
and hope you get your data you are seeking.)
A short note from one of the new members of our GEM Family comes
from ANDREW E. COLUMBUS, R.D. 2 Vermont Street, Grafton, Ohio 44044
as he states: ‘I recently received my first issue of the Gas
Engine Magazine. I have 25 gas engines and a number of
McCormick-Deering tractors: 2 10-20’s; 15-30′ 22-36′
F-14’2 F-20’s: F-30; W-30. I would very much like to find
out the years that each model was introduction and what kinds of
changes did they make in each one during production, etc. Hope to
hear from someone soon.’ (There’s a new member, Friends,
let’s be sure and answer him and welcome him to the Family –
help him with his questions).
GORDON SMOKE, Otisville, Michigan 48463 recently bought a 2-1/2
– 3 HP New Way upright engine and needs some information. Please
Help!
MERL BARNES, 7013 Northview, Boise, Idaho 83704 is seeking data
on recharging magnetos, as he has several magnetos’ to rebuild.
Merl has 5 restored engines and 12 to rebuild. Says he sure enjoys
G.E.M. alot. (And we enjoy hearing that!)
GENE FISHER, Route 1, Box 217A, Sheridan, Oregon 97378 writes:
‘I would like to hear from readers of the G.E.M. in relation to
an engine I have. It is a Famous vertical 3 HP, 360 speed, Ser. No.
A19473 and the date on fuel pump is patented May 2, 1905.
Upon purchase, this engine was a basket case, some pieces
missing, some broken. I need to know how the originals looked in
order to assemble this engine. Will be happy to hear from any of
you that can help.’ (‘Nuff said).
TOM CAMPBELL, Route 1, Box 115, Zion, Illinois 60099 pencils
this missal to all: ‘I was glad to see the tip on removing a
stuck piston in G.E.M. I hope many people will find it useful. I
received a letter from Wm. Flowers of Adena, Ohio even before my
issue of G.E.M. arrived, saying he used it on a 4 HP New Holland.
Anyway, I think I should give credit where credit is due. I got the
grease gun trick from John Davidson of Bristol, Wisconsin and a
friend of his, at the Kenosha County Wisconsin Fair last year.
Thank you, John!
I have another tip we used on the big Challenge ‘6’.
This one is very old. Uncle Charles learned it from his father.
It’s for a homemade head gasket for low compression engines
when no original is available. The only thing new I’ve added to
it is the aircraft Permatex, and it is optional. The material list
goes: Asbestos paper (like the Heating Company wraps the ducts in),
window screen aluminum is best, but steel will work (not plastic)
and aircraft Permatex. Remove the head and place it inside up. Lay
a piece of asbestos on the inside face and hold it firmly with one
hand. With the other hand, use the ball side of a ball pun hammer
and very gently tap the outside and inside edges and around the
inside edge of all the holes. This should make a clean cut, if not,
it will at least mark it so you can then cut it in a regular
manner. Make two parts from asbestos and one from screen. Permatex
one side of one asbestos part, put it over the studs with the
Permatex toward the cylinder and Permatex the second side. Put the
screen over the studs. Permatex one side of the second asbestos
part and put it over the studs the same as the first and Permatex
the second side. Replace the head and tighten. After a little
running, tighten again.’
An informative letter comes to help the readers from MARVIN
MAITRE, 648 33rd, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 who tells us: ‘Three
other collectors and myself have copies of a Webster magneto book
which identifies what Webster magnetos and ignitor brackets fit
various engines. The four of us will offer the FREE service of
identifying these Webster parts upon receiving a S.A.S.E. and the
number cast on the ignitor bracket. We are scattered throughout the
country and by having all our addresses listed, we expect to avoid
having one man receive hugh amounts of mail. We feel this service
will be appreciated by other collectors. Before having this book,
all four of us had ignition brackets that we couldn’t identify,
but could with the book. The other addresses are: RICHARD HAMP,
1772 Conrad Avenue, San Jose, California 95124; RAY MILLER, 2815
Niagara Blvd., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada L2A 5M4; LESTER ROOS, 308
N. State Street, Geneso, Illinois 61254.’
Above is a photo of an engine that I recently purchased. I have
not seen the likeness of this in the Gas Engine Magazine. Of
course, I am a fairly new subscriber and I could have missed out on
an earlier issue.
I bought this Olds engine from three brothers who had inherited
it from their father, who. was the original owner. The men I
purchased it from had used it about twenty years on a woodsaw and
left it setting for about thirty years. They had always taken good
care of it and although it was left outisde, it was covered with a
large piece of tin and fairly well protected from the weather.
The dimensions of the engine are approximately – 34′ height,
48-1/2′ length, 24′ width [less belt pulley], 28′
diameter of flywheel, 2′ diameter of crankshaft, 2-1/4′
flywheel face and a 5’x7-1/4′ bore and stroke.
(Isn’t that a fine idea? If you’re interested in this,
write the one nearest your section of the country. Thank you
Gentlemen for offering such a nice service).
SANFORD F. GALE, Box 3529, St. Petersburg, Florida 33700
requests any information you may have on a Maynard Engine # M12045,
1-1/2 HP by Chas. William Stores, N.Y.C.
Another request comes from JOHN FREEMAN, R.F.D. Goose Creek,
Roseville, Ohio 43777, as he puts it: ‘I have a request for
you. Could you put a plea for me in your column? I have just bought
a Huber tractor and I know absolutely nothing about them. I to all
the local steam and gas shows and I’ve seen all kinds, but
I’ve never talked to anyone who had one, and I don’t know
who to ask.
I’d like to find out the model, horsepower, year of
manufacture and any information available from Service Manuals. The
tractor has a four cylinder overhead valve Waukesha engine. It has
a wide front end with rubber 6/50 x 16 tires. The rear wheels are
spoked with rubber 13.5 x 24 tires. I don’t know whether it was
originally on steel or not. The transmission is 3-speeds forward, 1
reverse, hand clutch, foot brakes. It was designed to start on
gasoline and run on kerosene, I think, since there is a small fuel
tank and a large one.
LOUIS MACKALL, 1079 Route 80 R.D. 2, Guildford, Connecticut
06437 has a problem. He has a Hercules, one lunger, 5 horse. It
works good except sometimes after running for four hours, it will
stop and then won’t start until it is cooled. Why is that?
He’ll be happy to hear the remedy for this malfunction.
JOHN P. LANGO, JR. Mott Hill Road, R.R. 3, East Hampton,
Connecticut 06424 has recently become ‘hooked’ on the
magazine from borrowing a friend’s copies and has decided to
join our Family. He writes: Currently I have eight engines
including 1-1/2 HP make and break, hit and miss Saxon (Hercules);
3-1/2 HP hit and miss Jaeger (Hercules) on truck; 2 HP Stover
oilright; 5 HP Witte, kerosene; 2 HP Fairbanks Morse Series Z,
kerosene with air compressor; 2-3 HP New Way; 4 HP Olds; 3-5 HP
LA-IHC. I am presently working on the New Way. I’ve completely
restored the first four engines named, but I do have a problem
which I hope some other reader can help me with – I would like to
have the original color, striping and decals for these engines –
can you help me and tell me what they would be? (24 answers
fellows, that’s a tall order).
PAT AUMILLER, Box 282, Kingsford Heights, Indiana 46346 claims:
‘I have never written to you before, but I read your column and
I have a problem. I recently bought a Worthington, 4 HP. Part of
the fuel mixer is missing. I wonder if someone could lend me a
picture, so I could see what it looks like showing the mixer.
I only got to about five shows this summer. I missed Portland,
on Doctor’s orders I went to the Mathews, Indiana Covered
Bridge Festival and it turned out to be the second largest gas
engine show in the state.
I hope your new boss is good to you and you carry on the
wonderful work of getting us in touch with people who can help when
we have no place to go. It helps if you have another engine in the
part of the country, that is like your engine, but I can’t find
any.
(Thanks Pat, for letting us know how much the magazine is
appreciated – and as for my boss, he’s ‘Tops’ and so
are the other people with which I am working. I worked for the
Ritzmans so long, and they were such ‘great folks’, I must
admit I was a bit apprehensive about changing jobs — but no
problem! Just goes to show you, there are wonderful people
everywhere. And I surely hope you find a ‘buddy’ who has a
Worthington engine, one who can assist you in your problem).
WILLIAM OWEN, 2324 Beatrice Street, Springfield, Ohio 45503
relates: ‘I have two old Briggs and Stratton engines, one made
in 1936 and one made in 1950. I would like to get to know other
collectors in the Springfield, Ohio area.
I would also like you to know how much I enjoy the Gas Engine
Magazine. I think collecting gas engines is a lot of fun. The
people are so friendly and don’t get so jealous of one another
as they seem to do in some other hobbies.
A very recent note just arrived from JAMES KANN, R.R. 2, Belle
Plaine, Iowa 52208 who explains: ‘I have been a subscriber to
the G.E.M. magazine for about two years and enjoy it very much,
especially Smoke Rings. (Thanks, and that is because he can get a
lot of information from the folks who write and make up the column
– it’s a medium whereby you members of the Gas Engine Family
can give hints and get answers and everyone can be in on it). I
would appreciate some help. I purchased an old engine and the
nameplate reads No. 5287, Speed 600, 1 HP, manufactured by Reeves
Pulley Company, Columbus, Indiana U.S.A. Does anyone have any
information on this company or have an idea when this engine was
made? I would really enjoy hearing from anybody who owns a Reeves
engine.’
From TOM DOWNING, R.D. 1, Box 181, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
16117 comes two pleas as he writes us:
I need some help on some electrical problems. First how do I
wire up a Compound wound generator with five wires coming out? They
are marked A1 A2 F2 S2 and the fifth F1S1. I’m about to try a
few hookups to see what I get but I don’t want to wreck the
thing, and some rat took the tag off.
Second, I have a low tension magneto with a high tension coil
built in the curve of the magnet horseshoes on a Foos Engine. It is
wired all on the outside just like two separate parts although the
points and rectangular condenser are built into the back of the
magneto case. It is made by National. The problem is there are a
couple of extra terminals on the coil that I don’t know the use
for and the way it is now, it sometimes fires the spark plug when
the points close, as well as when they open and that stops the
engine with a jolt that I’m afraid will break the crankshaft if
I run it much as it occurs about 100 degrees before TDC. Anybody
know how to stop this sort of thing?
MANUEL J. AZEVEDO, 1535 Pepper Road, Petaluma, California 94952
would like to get some information on a 6 HP Sandwich engine. He
would like to know the color of the engine and what decals go on
it. He would appreciate hearing from you.
And now after all these letters that have come in -I think
it’s time I sign off and leave you with a little wish for the
New Years – ‘The best things in life are three: faith, hope and
charity.
