Hi! A very prosperous New Year to you in many ways-and there are
so many letters that I’m not going to say much else-of course I
couldn’t get away without just a bit of advice for the
forthcoming months and here ’tis-If you wouldn’t write it
and sign it, don’t say it!
First letter comes from LEONARD AYCOCK, 765 Sunder-land Road,
Concord, North Carolina 28025: ‘I enjoy the Gas and Steam
magazines very much. I don’t know how I missed these old hit
and miss engines for about 59 years. In February 1981 I bought an
old engine, maybe an Economy 6 HP, no nameplate. In the Economy
books I can’t find any like it-and none at the shows. Did
Economy make two alike? I cleaned it up a little and reworked the
head. Made the valves out of Cat which came from a junk yard. I
just tried to fire it up-it hit two times.
Also, in June I bought another engine about 5 HP, no nameplate.
It runs great, but I need to know this engine’s name. On the
hopper the letters are DDD, on the rocker arm BNW, on the block
BWZ, governor on flywheel has two springs on sides, flywheels 2? x
27′. I got the fever on old steam and gas-please help!’
EUGENE THOMPSON, 105 Hawbrook, Jerseyville, Illinois 62052 is a
new subscriber and enjoys the magazine immensely and has found it
very valuable in obtaining parts. Further on, his letter reads,
‘I have a Standard Twin garden tractor, serial #408C10270
manufactured by the Standard Engine Company of Minneapolis,
Minnesota. I would appreciate it very much if someone could tell me
what year the tractor was manufactured and what the original color
scheme was. Thanks.’
Some help is needed by WAYNE GRENNING, 318 Summit Street,
Boonville, New York 13309: ‘I have recently traded two engines
for a pair of Domestic sideshafts. One is a 2 HP hit and miss
serial #26142, the other being a 1? HP hit and miss serial #30292.
The 2 HP engine is of the newer type and has high tension ignition.
It is mounted on original factory cart which includes a large
diaphragm mud pump. The other engine was originally attached to a
piston pump, which is now missing. This engine is also of the newer
type with high tension ignition. I would like to know the color of
these engines, pump and cart and the exact or close diagram of the
pin striping. The color appears to have been a gray or blue,
however, I am not sure since they have both been repainted.
The 2 HP has no mag and the 1? HP has a Wico type E.K. I believe
they should both have Wico type P.R. high tension magnetos, is this
so? What are the dates of manufacture? Any information will be
greatly appreciated and answered. I would also like to thank all of
the great people who responded to my Fairbanks Morse article in the
July-August issue of GEM.
DON SIEFKER, 705 W. Annie Dr., Muncie, Indiana 47302 sends this:
‘This is in reply to C. A. Poulson’s letter in ‘Smoke
Rings’ Sept.-Oct. 1981, page 14 concerning a Farm Master
engine, model 811.2, 2 HP. A quick check of the 12 year Index to
GEM reveals one reference to a picture of a Farm Master 2 HP
engine, that is in the Nov.-Dec. 1973 issue of GEM, page 27. I
think these engines were manufactured by Cushman Motor Works,
Lincoln, Nebraska and sold by Sears under the name of Farm Master
or Sears Farm Master. The Farm Master is the same as the Cushman
Cub and I would guess the date of manufacture to be about 1933. The
Sears Farm Master engines that I have seen have all been painted a
bright red.
As to his second question, the year of his International LB
1?-2? HP serial #LBA 117210, the year is 1947, with the year 1948
being the last year made.
‘Can someone tell me why there is a difference in the
outside diameter and also in the width of some John Deere 1? HP E
engines? Also can you tell me if a bushing or bushings were on
early 1? HP, model E engine, or if they just used the cast iron as
a bearing for the governor and the cam gear?’ This request
comes from HOWARD GIBBLE, RD 1, Box 548, Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania
17552.
A picture comes from OWEN STACKHOUSE, Box 175, Geneva, Iowa
50633 with this writing: ‘Help! Look close at this picture. If
you have one like this or can tell me where it was made, I would
appreciate it. It is a three speed pump jack, changes speeds six
times every revolution. I take it to shows, mounted on pump belted
to gas engine pumping water. It is very attractive when
running.
ROBERT PETERS, 11623 E. 38th Street, Independence, Missouri
64052 wants to tell us: ‘I subscribed to Gas Engine and
received my first issue (July-August 1981). I am new and green in
the art of restoring gas engines, having acquired my first and only
one last winter on my brother-in-law’s farm, buried in the dirt
by the side of his brooder house.
Now for my good fortune. Page 18 of the Sept.-Oct. issue of GEM
has a picture of a 1? HP Nelson engine owned by Mr. Willard Wilks
from Brinkley, Arkansas. To make a long story short, the engine I
have is just like his. I have corresponded with Mr. Wilks and we
find that we each have the missing parts the other one needs. We
have sent the parts to the foundry for duplication and are both on
the way to getting our engines restored.
Thought you would like to hear again how your Smoke Rings column
helps people do the impossible.
DALE McCORD, Box 250, Hamlet, Indiana 46532 is in hopes of
getting some help on his newly acquired Witte 12 HP Dieslectric
plant. He needs to know how to put a water cooler on it and what to
use for one. He also would like to know the original color and
paint number on it. Would appreciate knowing the year. Serial
number is D 3244. He also has a Witte generator with serial #034377
and needs the color information on it.
Needing your assistance, this request comes from CHARLES C.
GRAY, 9620 Ravenna Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024: ‘I am in the
process of restoring a Famous 3 HP vertical engine, serial #LA
2111/E and need to know the size and location of the original
battery box and water hopper. It was probably built prior to 1907
since it has no water pump and no provision for mounting one and
therefore would not use the low water hopper with the cone screen
often seen in International Harvester reprint literature. Sticking
up out of the skids, which are original, are two
3/8‘ diameter by 56′ long steel rods.
On each rod is a cast L shaped bracket which probably slipped over
the top edge of the original water hopper allowing it to be clamped
down. A 10′ diameter by 25’ long tank currently with the
engine does not appear to be original. Factory reprint literature
from 1907 states that the engines were painted red with green
flywheels. My engine appears to have been painted red with
black flywheels. It also has a brass mixer
carburetor cover. I would appreciate any sketches or pictures of
the original set-up.’
A compliment from JOHN B. MULFORD, JR., Lodi, New York 14860 as
he says: ‘You put out an excellent magazine, so many good
articles and restoration ideas. Now I am restoring a 1929 T 25-35
Case cross motor kerosene tractor, which I was well acquainted with
back in the 1930s and 40s. It pulled a big Case grain separator all
over this area, threshing the grain in South Seneca County. The
tractor was repainted the wrong color and I hope someone will let
me know the right color. A deep blue paint shows up, by scraping
away the red paint. Blue is what I remember, but what shade? Does
any reader have a DuPont paint number? Also would like to hear from
someone who can tell me the diameter of the pulley on the camshaft
which was belted to the oiler pulley.’ (You’ll probably get
letters, John.)
A letter reprinted here due to an error in address-EDWARD C.
JONES, 919 N. Hoosac Road, Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267 says:
‘I recently purchased a 5 HP Majestic engine, serial #152588. I
cannot seem to find any articles regarding Majestic engines and the
company which manufactured them-National Dairy Machine Company,
located in Goshen, Indiana. I would like to know about the company,
what year my engine was made, its original color, size and location
of gas tank.’ (Hope this brings some help, Ed.)
This short writing comes from DON BRYAN, 7877 N. Hayes Road,
Williamsfield, Ohio 44093: ‘Enclosing a picture of a carburetor
in hopes that one of your readers may be able to tell me what kind
of an engine or tractor it came from. It is 18’ from the bottom
of the valve to the top of the inlet pipe. It is all brass and has
two line connectors in the chamber above the fuel reservoir and
below the inlet tube, which may have been to preheat the fuel. The
only lettering is the letter H between the
reservoir and the chamber.
Any information as to what this carburetor came from will be
greatly appreciated. Thanks for a great magazine.’
THOMAS S. MOCK, 1608 Golf Course Road, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
55744 says he received his Sept.-Oct. issue and read it cover to
cover that morning. Then he says: ‘I am in the process of
restoring a sawmill which I purchased last summer through an ad in
GEM. It was manufactured by the Geiser Manufacturing Co. of
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and has serial #7029. I would like to know
something about the history of the company, the color of the mill
as it left the factory, etc. I would be particularly interested in
corresponding with anyone who has a similar mill. Since I see many
calls for help of this nature in the Smoke Rings, I would be very
grateful if you would add mine to the list. Thank you.’
Quite an interesting letter comes from one of our younger
members of the GEM family as HOARD SINS, R.D. 1, West Leyden, New
York 13489: ‘I can’t tell you how much your magazine has
helped me in my hobby. I have only asked for help once before, but
I need some now.
I have recently obtained an Empire engine and from the manual I
got with it, I found that it is a 2? HP model. It has a Wizard
magneto. What I would like to know is the color it was, how old it
is and what connection it had with Alamo engine. Serial number is
82639. I would also like to thank everyone who helped me with my
last questions on the Fairbanks Morse. I found that it was a F/M Z
oil engine, 3 HP made around 1917. I now have it completely
restored and painted.
Since I started collecting engines a little over a year ago, I
have learned much. Many people that I meet are glad to help with
problems and questions that I have. I now have five engines in my
collection. In addition to the two mentioned, I have a Hercules
Economy, 2? HP, serial #2243 (any idea how old this is?). I also
have a 3 HP Novo serial #22608 and a 1? HP Fairbanks Morse Z hit
and miss, serial #254028. All of these engines are restored. If
anyone can tell the age of any of these engines, I would appreciate
hearing from you.
My 14-year old brother has been bitten by the engine bug. He
bought a 2 HP Hercules Jaeger the other day and it runs already. I
am sure he will be a natural at it. When I go to college next year,
he will be in charge of the collection.
Well, that’s about all for this time, except I would like to
wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I also have a
thought that I learned the hard way-if something works, don’t
fix it! Thanks again.’ (Thanks Howard for writing.)
D. B. WHITT, RR 6, Lewisburg, West Virginia 24901 sends this:
‘I am writing to your Smoke Rings column to request
information. I recently acquired a 27-42 Minneapolis cross-mount
tractor, serial #11204. I would like to correspond with any and all
who have any knowledge of this tractor series.
Among the information sought is the original color or color
scheme and decals or lettering and its location, date of
manufacture, approximate weight, and information as to the
mechanics of the tractor which I will detail to anyone wishing to
help me and correspond. I will answer all letters.
My thanks to you and your fine little magazine.’
RONALD O. PAYNE, Route 2, Canton, Illinois 61520 needs to hear
from you as he says: ‘I need help! I recently purchased a 2
cylinder Novo model FU3X4 gas engine, serial #19447. This is a
radiator-cooled engine. Can any of the Novo experts out there tell
me the proper color, were there decals and the age?
I also have a two stage air-cooled air compressor opposed
cylinder. There is no name or numbers cast in anywhere and has a
few chips of a dark green paint. Both heads are made of brass and
the pipe that connects the two has large cast washers with spaces
in between to help cool the air and the compressor. The compressor
does not have a crankshaft of normal shape, instead it has a large
eccentric in it. The large piston is about a 3′ bore and the
small about a 2′ bore. Can anyone help me on this one?’ (I
betcha they can, Ron.)
Another communication comes from BEN RHOADS, Route 1, Box 68,
Buna, Texas 77612: ‘Being a fairly new subscriber to GEM I want
to say I enjoy the Smoke Rings section and the personally written
articles very much.
I have several questions for the other readers: I have a 2 HP
Witte, made by the Witte Iron Works. When was the name changed to
the Witte Engine Works?? What is the proper shade of green to paint
the Witte? What are the dimensions for the crankguard, and how was
it attached? Does anybody have serial numbers and production dates?
The serial number on my Witte is 20030.
I owe Oliver Rhea a big thanks for introducing me to this fine
magazine. Keep up the good work.’
NORMAN NYHOF, Route 1, Oostburg, Wisconsin 53070 is happy over
receiving help. ‘Enclosed is a photo of the engine that
appeared in ‘What Is It’ in the Jan.-Feb. 1981 issue after
it was restored. Without the help of your magazine and the help of
many of your fine readers, it would have been impossible. Many
thanks to all.’
BILL OBERNOLTE, Chateau, Montana 59422 sends this picture and
writing: ‘I am renewing to the best little magazine printed.
This picture is of my F-20 Farmall that I restored after finding
it. It was a basket case, but with patience and time, I found the
parts. I look in every farm machinery graveyard and scrap pile. Old
engine nuts are a breed of their own. My 17-year-old daughter
thinks it’s the greatest hobby. She drives the Farmall all
over, that is why I don’t have any lugs and skid . rings on the
wheels. I don’t think the city fathers would like it too well
if we ran it on the streets.
At present, I am restoring a 1927, 15-30 McCormick Deering
thresher in nice condition, so you see I am in old farm machinery
business, but it sure is fun. Keep up the good work on
GEM.’
‘I am hoping some of the readers can give me some
information on a Sheldon engine. It appears similar to a Waterloo
Boy. Engine tag reads Sheldon Engine Number 130744 2 HP, Sheldon
Engine and Sales Company, Waterloo, Iowa. I would like to
correspond with anyone that owns a similar engine or has
information. This comes from DARVIN E. JAHNKE, Box 21, Rochert,
Minnesota 56578. 218-847-6993.
A new comer to the hobby desires some answers. HARRY L. COOK,
504 Walton Street, Wilson, North Carolina 27893 writes: ‘I have
only been collecting one lungers for a short time, but I have nine
to date and hope to find many more. I have just found a Witte
engine #B11593 in an old junkyard. It was used on an arm swing log
saw. The engine was stuck and the head cracked and carb looks
terrible. I got the piston freed up the first day I brought it
home. I hope to get this throttling engine running again. It has
the Witte brass tag but only the serial number was stamped, no
horsepower rating. The bore is 3?’ and the stroke is 5?’.
It has 16?’ flywheels. It is a water hopper-cooled one cylinder
with round gas tank in front. Could anyone tell me about the
horsepower, year this engine was made and the correct color and pin
striping, if any?
Also, I have a 1?’ Fairbanks Morse model Z with Bosch
magneto throttling engine. The engine runs fine on the carb
reservoir, but it won’t run on the main tank with even
gasoline. I have a new gas tank, check valve and fuel line. The
carb seems clean and all passages open. The needle valves look
good. The engine has good compression and the valves are seated.
Help! God bless you for this great magazine. I love GEM and all the
great ‘down home’ people in this hobby.’
A little information is needed by DAVID R. AIKENS, R.D. 2,
Edinboro, Pennsylvania 16412. He would like to know what the ball
thrust bearing in a governor for a 6 HP Ellis, 2 cycle engine looks
like. He also needs a drawing of how the whole governor is
assembled. Also can anyone furnish him with the beginning and
ending dates of production for Ellis engines and Eclipse engines
built by Myrick Machine Co. of Olean, New York? Any background
information on these companies will be appreciated.
JOHN GRUBER, 7908 Colonial Lane, Clinton, Maryland 20735 sends
his first letter: ‘I received my first issue of GEM and I have
read and reread every page. 1981 saw me fire up my
grandfather’s 1926 Economy. Only thing I did was solder and
epoxy the gas tank, free up the check valve and find out the plug
setting. After 35 years of setting in the ‘engine house’ on
our farm in south New Jersey, it fired up.
I attended my first engine show as an exhibitor and really had a
fun time at the Catoctin Show. Since then, I have purchased a 1943
FM Z style D and an early 1920s MECO (Kansas City, MO).
I know so little about engines that I have a lot of questions.
1.Can someone help me with the MECO? Is it a Witte
or what? It has a brass plate and serial #A1917.2.
What is soft oil? The MECO has oil type reservoirs on the flywheel
bearing but oil goes through fairly quickly. Should I be using soft
oil? 3. I need some instruction for the F.M. Z
‘D’. The engine runs fine but runs hotter than my Economy.
Is this normal? 4. I was told that my old Economy
was made by Hercules. Can someone help me out here? Serial number
is 357947. Finally, thanks to the old-timer up at Centerville, PA
show who told me what to set the sparkplug on the Economy at-and
thanks to the exhibitors at the Brandy wine, MD Lions Show for
giving me help and encouragement, and thanks to GEM for having a
place to get questions asked and hopefully answered.’
‘I have come to a complete halt on the restoration of my
Sattley engine, because I have found out from advertising in GEM
that it may be a Hummer engine. Frankly, I had never heard of a
Hummer. (The only one I have record of in GEM is on page 7 of
Sept.-Oct. 1972 issue. The one pictured there was made in Jackson,
Michigan. An unusual feature is that the fuel pump and carburetor
are all built together as one unit.-Anna Mae) Maybe some readers
can tell me who made the Hummer-Sattley engines. Mine is a spoked
flywheel, 1? HP type. I am looking for parts-see Want Ads.’
This writing came from PHILIP VAZZANA, 242 St. Poplar, Greenville,
Mississippi 38701.
Waiting to hear from the readers is PAUL RAGNAR ROOS, 4354 Twain
Ave., Suite E, San Diego, California 92120: ‘I have recently
acquired an interesting engine that some of the readers might find
fun to talk about. It is a Buffalo Gasolene Motor Co. type A 2
cylinder 2 HP marine engine I believe to be manufactured in
1950.
This engine is in poor repair; and disassembled and I would like
to correspond with any folks that might have any photographs or
information of a complete engine.
I would be very pleased if some readers would respond to my
classified ad under Wanted.’
Next note comes from BILL CHAMBERS, 3324 Silver, Wichita, Kansas
67217: ‘Please find enclosed a picture of a 40-60 Case that my
father ran in northern Oklahoma during the 1915/16 threshing
season. The area was mostly in south of Ponca City. He has told me
of crossing on a bridge and how the engine shook the bridge so bad
they would be forced to stop the engine until the bridge would stop
shaking. They would then restart and drive a few feet until the
bridge became violent again. He also told of a secret throttle
consisting of a piece of wire hooked to the governor that he could
hook with his toe when the pitchers would try to slug the
separator. He said they would have to work on the engine until late
at night so it would be in shape to run the next day. And those
were ‘The Good Old Days?’
EDWARD C. WAY, 41 Ashaway Road, Westerly, Rhode Island 02891
needs information on a 1915 Fairbanks engine, 1? HP. Any kind of
information and especially on parts would be a great help.
A note from CHARLES R. LACKEY, 1006 E. 69th St., Hutchinson,
Kansas 67501 reads: ‘I have a Weber oil engine. It is type B.M.
Size 10? x 14. The serial number is 119, and it was made in Kansas
City, Mo. The engine was sold by Atlas Supply Company, Muskogee, OK
branch.
I was wondering if any gas or oil engine enthusiast would have
any information on this engine. I would appreciate it very
much.
I believe your Gas Engine Magazine is the best ever for
providing all kinds of information.’
LLOYD LINDERSON, 2907-93rd Avenue, S.W., Olympia, Washington
98502 says: ‘I read the article on page 14 of Sept.-Oct.
’81 GEM about the Farm Master engine. I have a 5 HP Farm Master
engine that I restored several years ago. I am sending photos of
it. It was built by Cushman Co. for Sears, Roebuck & Co. and
sold by them under the name Farm Master. Serial #A154799, model
#R40, 5 HP, 850 rpm. I enjoy your part of the magazine very much.
Keep up the good work. And really I enjoy the magazine from cover
to cover.’ (Thanks Lloyd, we love our GEM family and appreciate
your comments.)
(Also Lloyd, I’d like to inform you and the readers we did
have a picture of a Farm Master in Nov.-Dec. 1973 GEM, page 27. It
is a Sears Farm Master, 2 HP about 1933.)
Hoping to receive some answers, this writing comes from DAN
McARTHUR, 818 E. Baird Street, Holly, Michigan 48442: ‘I’ve
been receiving GEM for two years but this is the first time I have
written. I need some help with the year some of my engines were
manufactured. They are an Ideal upright water-cooled with an
igniter, serial #1192; a Brown-wall water-cooled made in Holland,
Michigan, serial #121180; an Associated Hired Man, serial #121180;
also a small garden tractor called a Waterbury Rider made in
Waterbury, Connecticut by the Vickers Company, serial #188. Any
help will be really appreciated.
I look forward to every issue of your magazine-keep up the good
work.’ (Thanks for writing Dan-we welcome GEM family
letters.)
ERIC L. CHESTER, Memorial Drive, Lyndonville, Vermont 05851
throws out this question: ‘I’ve noticed in Sept.-Oct. issue
in an article that a Fuller Johnson is a rare engine. I am writing
to see if someone can tell me how old and how rare one would be
with a serial #71374, 500 rpm, 1? HP and if there is a listing of
makes and years of manufacture to help to know what are good and
which are better. I also have a United 2 cyl. 25 HP that no
one seems to know anything about it. It ran a sawmill more than
fifty years ago.’
A novice in collecting engines writes us: ‘I recently bought
my first engine which is a Fairbanks Morse Z, 3 HP
manufactured in 1920. I am restoring it and need to know a few
things. I want to build a simple hand truck and would like some
pictures, plans and descriptions of what was used. I already have a
set of 8? steel wheels. Also, I am confused on the paint color of a
1920 FM Z. I need to know or see color pictures of what parts were
what colors.’ Welcome to our column DONALD C. GILLUM, 2237
Thornwood Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091. I feel sure you will
receive some answers and we thank you for writing.)
‘Would you please put this request for information in your
Smoke Rings column?’ asks FRED PRICHARD, 160 Highland Street.
Plymouth, New Hampshire 03264. ‘I have recently obtained an
early 5 HP hit and miss Havana engine, serial #1653. This engine is
tank-cooled with an enclosed crank and pedestal type base. It is an
unusual engine in the New England area as I have not seen
another.’ (I don’t think we here at GEM have ever had much
information on the Havana-in looking back over the records, we have
a picture of one in May-June 1974, page 31. It was printed in with
some show pictures sent in by C. J. Nelson Langdon, Myersville,
Maryland 21773. No information except to say it is a Havana, better
know as Castro, and runs smooth as a kitten.)
Fred continues, ‘The engine has what appears to be a
professional conversion to sparkplug ignition instead of an
igniter. I would like to correspond with other Havana owners as to
what the igniter and trip rod looked like so I could make the
parts. Also interested in what the gas and cooling tanks looked
like. Also would like any pictures or descriptions.’
DAVID L. IMMEL, R.D. 1, Box 286-A, Belleville, Pennsylvania
17004 sends this: ‘I have a pump made by Viking Pump Co. The
patent dates on the brass plate are Jan. 25, 1910- Oct. 29, 1912,
Feb. 2, 1914 and Feb. 9, 1915. I would like to know the correct
paint colors, also rpms. It appears to be a centrifuge pump and
I’d like to know if the company is still in business.
I also have a 1933 CT4 Stover and would like to know how to set
the carburetor as when we start it, the engine cuts out and quits.
If you open the gas any more, then it floods out. Is this normal
for this engine?
Enjoy your magazine very much.’
Some information that may help quite a few readers comes from
DON CROSS, 2631 Lynndale Drive, Appleton, Wisconsin 54911: ‘In
your July-Aug. 1981 magazine regarding an inquiry by James F. Crews
concerning a Baker fan, I have this information from Dykes
Automobile & Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia #83. ‘A Fan
Dynamometer’ consisting of a two blade fan. Fan blades are
10′ x 14′ on 40′ centers mounted as a paddle wheel.
They furnish the following specifications: 400 rpm
1 HP, 600 rpm – 2? HP, 1000 rpm –
12 HP,1200 rpm – 20 HP, 1300 rpm –
25 HP, 1400 rpm – 37 HP, 1500 rpm –
40 HP, 1600 rpm – 48 HP, 1700 rpm-
60 HP, 1800 rpm – 70 HP.’
GARLAND R. GOESCH, 1512 Lynn Avenue, Modesto, California 95351
has lots of tips for the GEM family: ‘Today I received my
Sept.-Oct. issue of GEM and would like to respond to some questions
and statements of the readers. It seems to me that shared
information benefits us all more than do secrets. Here are a couple
of short cuts from my file cabinet. The library has a copy of the
old Sears & Wards catalogs. They both have good information
about the Economy & Sattley engines, complete with decal
placement, striping details, weight and cost in those days.
When I need a new gas tank of a rectangular shape, I have found
a sheet metal man who has a sheer and brake in his garage. All I
have him do is to brake up the ends and body like my old tank.
After that, I assemble and solder it myself. Today, I picked up a
tank for a 3 HP FM for $9.00. This is very reasonable. I use the
fittings from the old tank and solder them on the new one. For a
filler neck and cap, just find the size needed on any other type of
can, one gallon, or brake fluid, or whatever and unsolder it, and
then recycle it on the new tank. So much for
that!
A paint that is available in any auto paint outlet that matches
Fairbanks Morse is: Dupont-Dulux 54738-D. Other manufacturers of
paint will have a cross reference number for their particular
brand. One would be hard pressed to distinguish this from the
original.
When one needs a check valve for a gas line, go to an auto parts
house that has a full line catalog for Weather head brass fittings.
Check valves will be listed there for gas lines up to
3/8‘. I purchased five this week
for ?’ line at 77? each.
Now! About the great Baker Fan controversy. I once read an
article about the Baker Fan and its creation. Mr. Baker who
manufactured the Baker steam traction engine, had an arch rival who
also built an engine. I do not recall his name. They were both
claiming that their engine developed more power and could outwork
the other. They were both supposed to be at the same sales
demonstration, so Baker conceived and built the fan to be able to
prove the power superiority of his engine. As it turned out at the
demonstration the other engine was able to turn more rpm’s in
the belt than was the Baker. This proved to be a little
embarrassing to Mr. Baker. The article also had specifications for
building a Baker Fan.
Well Anna Mae, thanks for letting me use your soap box for a
little while. It’s been a pleasure being able to talk with so
many of my chugger buddies at once. I hope someone will be able to
use the enclosed information. May God bless each one of you in your
particular needs.’ (Thanks for sending all this information
Garland-and God bless you too.)
A new member of our family writes: ‘I just received my first
issue of GEM and after reading every word of it from cover to
cover, I decided maybe someone could help me through Smoke Rings,
so here’s my problem.
I’d like to know everything about my 2? HP Galloway engine.
Serial #032182 and has various numbers on it as AB71 on the main
bearing, AB4 on the crankshaft, AB50 on the governor arm and BX27
on the valve push arm guide. I’d like to know what year it was
made and the color scheme, preferably pictures. Also, it has a
Webster tri-polar oscillator, #1021518, type AMM for a magneto. Is
this stock? Sometimes it fires, other times it does not and it may
be because the little armature moves inside of the housing that
holds it, although I don’t know much about it. Can someone help
me? I am stuck with an engine in very good condition with an
exception of one babbitt bearing on the crankshaft, that does not
run because of it.
Thanks to the Sept.-Oct. issue, I have almost got the babbitt
bearing poured and completed, but the magneto still eludes my
mechanical abilities.’ (This letter comes from TOM GIESE, 967
8th Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304. We hope you get your
answers Tom, and welcome to the Family.)
JAMES WOOLEY, 7959 Lava Court, LaMesa, California 92041 needs to
know the colors for a 4 HP Cushman upright and a Kalamazoo 2 cycle
railroad speeder car. If you could, please drop him a note.
‘Pictured are two shots of our sorghum-making operation. I
rescued this cane mill from a briar patch in the summer of 1980 and
had to rebuild it completely, but had it ready to make sorghum by
fall. That year I powered it with my 1937 John Deere B. In October
1981, with the promise of feeding him ham and beans, I invited my
friend, Ray Baker, to bring his 16 HP Witte engine to power the
mill. Ray is a blacksmith and engine collector from Springville,
Indiana and did all the work on this beautiful engine. I would like
to hear from other people who still make sorghum with power mills
or horse mills.’ (This letter came from JIM FOX, R. 3, Box 191,
Mitchell, Indiana 47446-Good luck Jim and Ray and working together
sounds like you might have some super meals also.)
WALT TAUBENECK, 4213 80th St., N.E., Marysville, Washington
98270 sends his picture and says: ‘Here is a hi tension mag
that has never shown up in any gas engine magazine or mag book.
Maybe someone out there has some dope on it. Surely would be
pleased to hear from them. See Want Ad in back of GEM.’
An interesting letter of some of the engines in England comes
from one of our GEM members as R. N. McCRAY writes: ‘Many
thanks for publishing my request for information on refinishing old
engines in the Sept.-Oct. issue of good old GEM. Just hope some
kind soul will answer the need and tell us how to do it.
In the meantime, Hazel and I have made a two week driving trip
through England from the southern coast to the Scottish border. It
is amazing the number of fine, big, old engines the British have
preserved and now have on exhibition, many of them in operation on
their holidays. I was fortunate enough to visit two of them, one of
them in operation.
In Portsmouth, on the south coast, a compound steam engine built
and installed by James Watt in 1886 was under steam for public
viewing. It is a beam type engine powered through a 20′
diameter high pressure and a 30′ diameter low pressure
cylinders with 4′-6′ and 6′-0′ strokes
respectively, running 20 rpm. The flywheel is 15 feet in diameter
and the engine runs on steam at 80 psi from four James Watt
boilers. The engine and its accessories are painted and polished so
they are a real work of art and to see a 95 year old engine running
along, quietly and majestically, is a real thrill.
The other engine was just as remarkable even though it was not
running. Located in the east midland country at Stretham, the
engine powered a 37′ diameter scoop wheel at 4 rpm that lifted
30 tons of water per revolution out of the fens (swampland) so they
can be used for farming. When installed in 1831 the engine operated
under 4 psi steam pressure fed into a 39′ diameter cylinder
with an 8′ stroke at 16 rpm. The 24′ diameter flywheel is
driven from the 25′ long beam and is geared to an internal gear
in the scoop shovel. A truly remarkable installation!
I obtained a listing of 63 of the engines they have preserved
and are exhibiting. They range from a drainage windmill built in
1837 to fairly modern turbines and include an original atmospheric
engine built by Newcomen, one of the early engine developers.
Copies of the list can be obtained by asking for W.S.A.C.
Information Leaflet No. 6 from the ‘Water Space Amenity
Commission, 1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H9BT, England. I
would suggest that anyone in America or Canada requesting a copy
include $1.00 for surface postage or $2.00 for airmail.
So if you like big, old engines, England is the place to find
them.’
TOM CROZIER, R.R. 1, Ailsa Craig, Ontario, Canada needs a few
answers as he states: ‘I purchased a 2? HP Judson (C. S. Judson
Co. Ltd. Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada) #Y73705. I believe it is an
early Stover. I think these same engines were also sold by the T.
Eaton Company. What does the small lever that locks the intake
valve shut look like? How is it activated by the exhaust lever and
what attachment is on the stem of the intake valve besides the
spring. Was the igniter a Webster mag-ignition unit? I’d
appreciate information.
I enjoy GEM very much. Please find enclosed a drawing of a
muffler I made and it works very well.’ (Thanks Tom for writing
and I am sure many will enjoy your drawing of the muffler.)
Here is a letter of interest and it comes from EARLE NICKERSON,
Rt. 2 Box 309, Wauchula, Florida 33873: ‘Thank you for
publishing the picture of the Advance Rumely School at Harrisburg,
PA as the centerfold of Nov.-Dec. issue of GEM. The date and place
was cut from the bottom of the picture and thought the folks would
like to know about this. The date was January 25-27, 1927.’
(Thanks Earle, we are happy to know that information and many of
you may not know that Harrisburg is just a few miles from we folks
in Enola as we say-just across the River-Susquehanna, that is.)
LARRY HARRIS, 1110 Hudson, Alliance, Nebraska 69301 is trying to
get some information on a piece of equipment he bought at an estate
sale. He writes, ‘It is a bucket loader which is reverse
mounted on an Allis-Chalmers tractor frame. It is heavily beefed up
by 5/8‘ x 6’ side rails which provide
the support for the cylinder mounts and operator platform. Tractor
tires are 12.4-24 8 ply and steering tires are 6.50-16 6 ply, both
sets of tires are filled with calcium chloride. Nameplate on inside
of firewall bears this information-Tractomotive Corp., Deerfield,
Illinois Model TLW Serial #189.
Following is a list of information taken from this unit: Motor,
4 cyl., wet sleeve, 4?’ bore. No. stamped on left side of block
is WD 240118 GA, No. cast in block right side U 3018-31. Carb.
Zenith. Magneto-Fairbanks Morse type FM X 4B3. S.N. 3927115. I
further find that the magneto has been stamped U.P.R.R. so I assume
the Union Pacific used to own it. This is further borne out by the
fact that the former owner (deceased) was a retired U.P. railroad
detective. Differential, front side markings, 0-5 Timken R 5200 B –
288 N, back side markings TRACTOR No. (I.D. plate missing).
Transmission markings 201219 – H-k-18-PO (shift pattern)
1 3
2
4 R
I would like to hear from anyone who has information on this
machine.’
Waiting for some help on his engines, GARY R. HARWOOD, 103 Spit
brook, Apt. D-16, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 sends this:
‘I’d like some information on the following four engines
that I recently acquired. The first is a hopper-cooled 2 cylinder
Leroi #43066 that is mounted on a gravel conveyor. The next two are
both model M3 size 31/8‘ x 4?’ Leroi
engines that are both radiator-cooled, S.N. 1270 and S.N. 101915.
The last one is a one cylinder upright TU
33/8‘ x 4′ Novo hopper-cooled #27406.
Thank you.’
A photo and letter comes from ROBERT D. SEELEY, R.R. 3, Box 176,
Warrensburg, Missouri 64093: ‘I have recently acquired a small
engine of about 1? HP, name tag is missing, but I think it is a
Sandwich. It was equipped with a Wico mag and the flywheel part no.
is AB101. I need information on the date, make and color of this
engine.
I also have recently acquired an 8 HP Worthington kerosene
engine, serial #25205. I also have a 2? HP United. I would like the
color of this engine. I want to thank all the many responses that I
received on the Grey and Taylor engine.’
CAREY K. ATTKISSON, Route 1, Box 242, Rockville, Virginia 23146
phone 804-749-3595 is hoping someone can tell him the age of an IHC
Mogul tractor, 12 HP. (You’ll get a call or a note, Carey,
I’ll betcha.)
Needing some data to help him with his hobby, ALLAN LEUKUMA, 381
East Highland, Camarillo, California 93010 sends this: ‘I
recently purchased a 1? E Economy gas engine. Someone, years ago,
converted this engine to an air compressor by modifying the igniter
and removing the cam gear and rocker arm. See ad under Wanted
section. I understand that there are two styles of Economys. The
old style which was made by Economy in Sparta, Michigan and the
newer style which was made for Sears by Hercules Engine Works.
My question is-which style do I have and how can you tell the
difference? Serial #109547. Any data on the age, style and history
of engine will be greatly appreciated.
I have always found the articles published in the GEM to be most
informative especially the ‘how to do it’ type. I really
liked the recent articles on how to pour bearings.
Thank you very much and keep up the good work on a great
magazine.’
Congratulations on the formation of a new club the John Deere
Two-Cylinder Tractor Club, Box 3164, Minot, North Dakota 58701. It
was formed in January 1981 and at the present time they have 105
members from 17 different states. If interested, please write above
address. I am sure you can tell by the name, it is a club precisely
for John Deere two cylinder hobbyists. Fee is $5.00. I am sure if
you write they will send you more information. And we wish you all
a growing Club-let us hear from you as time goes on.
DARVIN E. JAHNKE, Box 21, Rochert, Minnesota 56578 is hoping for
information from the readers in regard to his Sheldon engine. It
appears similar to a Waterloo Boy. Engine tag reads Sheldon Engine
No. 130744, 2 HP, Sheldon Engine and Sales Company, Waterloo, Iowa.
I would like to correspond with another Sheldon engine
owner.’
Fellas-we get so many, many requests for the proper color of
engines, and therefore, we need to in some way have an accessible
record whereby I could send some of these men the answer right away
or print it in the column immediately. To do this, you know of
course, I am going to have to call on my buddies in Engine Land to
help in this service. Your suggestions will be appreciated, and who
knows- perhaps in the future we may even be able to get a book
together on this subject.
And that dear friends brings this lengthy column to a close. I
had to withhold a few letters, but look for them in next issue-Love
you all! God bless each and every one of you-and may 1982 be good
to you.
