Well, this may be the July-August issue, but while we are having
some beautiful spring days, we still have a bit of winter chill
mixed in with it-hope by this time you have all your engines and
other items relative to your hobby in good shape and ready to roll.
Every year brings more organizations and more shows- that’s why
the yearly Directory is a good little book, if you travel to the
shows.
We have letters-and here the first one is from HARVEY S.
HILANDA, 1917 S.E. 28th, Portland, Oregon 97214: ‘I was pleased
to see the magneto magnet charger article I had prepared as a
restoration service to the members of the Early Day Gas Engine and
Tractor Assn., Inc. and submitted by Mr. H. L. Ritter, published in
GEM, March-April 1978.
I borrowed the details, in part, from a very early Horseless Age
Magazine, but somehow never got around to sending the article to
any of the engine magazines.
This charger does a fine job on horse shoe type magnets and can
also be used for charging round Maytag type or other flywheel
magnets, the latter can be accomplished by referring to Mr. H. L.
Ritter’s letter and details in Smoke Rings May-June 1977 .
RALPH UNTERZUBER, 3132 Bradywill Road, Richmond, Virginia 23225
comments; ‘Thank you very much for your prompt reply to my
letter of February 14, the copy of GEM and your offer to mention a
part of my letter in the May-June Smoke Rings. After reading Smoke
Rings and realizing the scant information I gave you, I am revising
it as you may want to expand on it. A brass tag on the engine gives
the following information: Smiths Great Western, Serial #S3002,
manufactured by the Smith Mfg. Co., Chicago, Illinois, 5 HP. The
engine is a two cycle vertical cylinder with a water hopper on top.
‘{That’s all that was in the letter, folks, so look up
May-June and this issue and see if you can help him.)
Then JOHN H. STONE, 674 W. Montecito, Sierra Madre, California
91024 seeks some data: ‘We have this small engine and no one
seems to know what it is. We would appreciate your letters to help
us.
The wheels are 11′ in diameter, total height is 16′. It
appears to be water-cooled and needs a coil and carburetor. There
is a spark plug on top and an intake and exhaust valve along side
the plug with a rod coming up the side from the bottom, apparently
to operate the valves. We’ll be glad to hear from you.’
A request for some history on a Foos engine comes from NICHOLAS
M. SCHMIT, Wyndmere, North Dakota: ‘This letter is prompted by
the front cover of the March-April issue of Gas Engines.
It carries a picture of a 6 HP Foos engine owned by Jim Miller,
photographed by LeRoy A. Baumgardner, R. D. 2, Box 118,
Littelstown, Pa. 17340.
I recently acquired a 22 HP Foos, the serial number is 22302 the
speed 240 RPM. It has 61′ flywheels, 9′ bore and a 16′
stroke, manufactured in Springfield, Ohio.
I would appreciate knowing if there are any historical records
available on the Foos gas engine. Any help or information you can
give me on my 22 HP Foos would be appreciated.’
From the desk of CLARENCE R. SVENDSEN, 1901 Carroll Street,
Alamosa, Colorado 81101: ‘I always look forward to GEM and
I’ve had good results from the ads that I’ve run. Enclosed
are a couple of pictures; a Novo and a Hardie-Stover spray rig.
Maybe someone can give me information relative to age, etc.’
(Help ’em out guys, he’s a awaiting your letters.)
ELMER W. ZIEGLER, R. R. 2, Box 215, Tipton, Indiana 46072
writes: ‘I am writing about a picture of a 12 HP Associated
engine that was on the cover of Jan-Feb. issue of GEM. I am puzzled
about this engine because I have a 12 HP Associated and it is not
like the one in the picture. I also have a catalog of all
Associated engines, and can find none like the one in your picture.
It may be an Economy engine. I think they bought out Associated. I
am sending along a picture of a 12 HP Associated. (Seems we had
several letters on this, I guess it really is an Economy, don’t
know why the information was listed as it was.)
Had a letter from ROBERT RAUHAUSER, R. D. 2, Box 766,
Thomasville, Pennsylvania 17364: ‘I used to collect old farm
machinery, trade tools and especially anything manufactured in York
and York County, PA. I had to have three operations and gave up
farming but I’m still interested in old farm machinery. I’d
like to see an A. B. Farquhar gasoline engine back in York,
Pennsylvania some day. Seems Farquhar never sold much local, (see
picture of nice Farquhar engine.)
I’d also like to tell you about my new hobby, collecting dog
licenses. It’s the most interesting thing I ever collected. I
started collecting them after I had my operations, to keep my mind
busy. Now I’m hooked. I get to know and hear from people from
all over, and get to do a lot of trading of dog licenses.’
(That is a new hobby, as far as I know, how about you folks?)
This next letter and above picture comes from LEONARD A.
SPOELMAN, 3221 Brookshire Drive, S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan
49508: ‘I’m enclosing a picture of an engine I just
acquired. It is made by the Fairfield Engine Company, Fairfield,
Iowa, serial #0164 and is 4? HP. It has a single 14?’ flywheel
and clutch pulley on the other side. The carburetor is a Holley
Model ‘K.’ I also recently bought a Johnson
‘Utilimotor’ serial #U9965. It is air-cooled and kick start
similar to a Maytag. I had a picture and request in the Nov.
’77 GEM concerning my J. D. Wallace engine. I received two
letters. A man in Virginia owns a similar engine and a man from
Iowa sent me information showing a similar engine sold in kit form
for experimenters in 1913 from Chicago. Any information the readers
could give me on any of these engines would be greatly
appreciated.
FRANK ROWING, 1033 N. Galloway Street, McMinnville, Oregon 97128
says: ‘I have just gotten into collecting and rebuilding old
gas engines, having just finished a 60 C. C. Johnston 2 cycle
engine of 1936 era. This little motor is constructed with all ball
and roller bearings throughout. It’s a very sweet runner and
they don’t built em like that anymore.
I’m also owner of two drag saws, both in very near basket
condition, one a Vaugn 2 horse and one a cascade Junior by Sears
& Roebuck. I haven’t seen any articles in any of the engine
books yet about drag saws, although there are several serious
collectors here in the Pacific Northwest. I would like to hear from
anyone having information whatsoever about the Cascade Junior saw
as it’s one of the earliest and a rare one and at 4 horsepower,
one of the biggest.’ (He’s waiting for your letters.)
ALLEN BROKAW, 3623 Co. Rd. 24, Cardington, Ohio 43315 exclaims:
‘I think your magazine is the greatest! I can’t find any
reason why anybody would have trouble fixing a chugger with all the
help he can get from GEM readers! Dad and I have Hercules 2 HP
Model S, serial #376370A. We don’t know the date of manufacture
and would like to find out. We do not know the paint scheme,
because of being painted over years ago. It will be at the
Tuscarawas Valley Pioneer Assn. Show in August.
Can anyone tell me any history on the W. Gaterman Company,
Manitowoc, Wisconsin? Your magazine is very helpful to us and
interesting to read.’ (Thanks Allen and Dad Brokaw, hope you
will get some answers.)
A heart warming letter and some advice for women comes from
GOLDIE B. BANTA (MRS. PAUL), 5251 Pontiac Lake Road, Pontiac,
Michigan 48054 (also an invitation to visit.): ‘Looking through
the GEM, I got lonesome for all our Engine friends. Having major
surgery twice last year kept me from attending any shows. I plan to
bring one or more of my husband’s engines to the shows this
year.
I enclose two pictures, hoping you can use them. The one is of
Paul M. Banta, my late husband and one of his favorite engines, a
Fairbanks Morse 2 HP. The other was taken by John Sweigert of
Paul’s little Globe ? HP. This is the engine he was getting
ready for the 76 shows at the time of his death. With the help of
Paul’s friend, Merle Shuttleworth, I got it ready and took it
to the shows at Norwich, Ontario; also the Charlton Park, Michigan
show. Paul would have been pleased to hear the many compliments.
The women couldn’t resist feeling the smoothness of the candy
apple red paint job or the soft sheen of the walnut base. It is
truly a showpiece. Paul had it in running order before taking it
apart to paint. The duck bill cover was missing but as always,
Paul’s luck held out and we discovered a Globe engine at the
Austin, Manitoba Agricultural Museum, while vacationing in Canada.
Paul took slides and from them made a pattern and had the cover
cast in brass; also the wheels.
To the ladies: those who haven’t been bitten by the engine
bug: A word to the ‘wives’ is sufficient, or should be. So
often ! heard the men say ‘their wives weren’t interested
in their piles of junk.’ Do take an interest, go with your
husbands, take part in the shows; help him paint- clean-or just
watch. It’s a wonderful hobby-you meet the nicest,
‘down-to-earth’ people. Try it, you’ll be glad you did.
Join ’em, don’t fight em.!
Engine friends, feel free to stop in to see Paul’s fine
collection of engines, whenever you are in the area. You are most
welcome!
From JACK VERSTEEG, 3935 Cooley DR NE, Salem, Oregon 97303;
‘This article is for the Smoke Rings-I finished reading the
Mar.-April issue of GEM and think maybe an open answer to Mr. Ray
Thurman of Fergus Falls, Minnesota might help. As new collectors
come in to the fold every year a lot of them acquire an engine with
the ever present problem of the stuck piston. Now there are a lot
of ways to get it unstuck and the following suggestions are only
that. I won’t recommend any one over the other as they all have
their possible bad effects. I have declared war on numerous stuck
ones with good success on some and disastrous results on others.
Now down to business:
THE FORCE IT METHOD: Take a piece of oak the approximate size of
the bore, insert in barrel with one end on top of piston. Now take
the largest sledge hammer you can find (preferably in excess of 25
lbs.) and whomp it. Now about the time your lungs can’t pump
wind anymore and your muscles hurt, it might be unstuck. At this
time the results will either be that it is out or is in many small
pieces. How about the headless engines. Refer to Hydro section
next.
THE HYDRO METHOD: This works (sometimes) on the headless engines
too. If the valves are in the closed position, great! Make a plate
to bolt over the ignition holes, insert a zerk fitting in the plate
and take your grease and pump it full of grease. Keep the pressure
on till the piston pops out. If the piston doesn’t come out the
head has either been blown off or a section of the barrel has been
pushed into the hopper.
THE PRESS METHOD: Locate a hydraulic press, at least 40 ton
capacity. Put barrel in to press and take a steel plate
approximately same diameter as the bore and lay on top of piston.
(Plate should be at least ?’ thick.) Start press in to
operation and watch results. The problems with this method is that
the barrel gets broken or the press breaks.
THE HEAT METHOD: Strip the engine down completely. Take the
barrel out back, put it on ground and build a big fire on it. Keep
fire going for several hours. Propane torch with rose bud tip will
also work. Let fire die down and the next day remove barrel and
take back into shop. From now on you resort to the FORCE IT
METHOD.
THE STUCK PISTON DILEMMA
THE COLD METHOD: This one is tricky. Tie the barrel down
securely. Attach a porta-power to the rod end and put it into the
pull position. Now when you have pulled as much as you can and
everything is tight, take your CO2 fire extinguisher and
turn it loose into the bottom of the piston. This procedure
contracts the piston. This will work about a third of the time. The
other two thirds, the piston will be in many little bits.
FINAL NOTE: Heat with the press methods helps a lot. Now we have
discussed several ways to remove stubborn pistons. If none of the
methods have worked, I suggest that you put everything down, go
into the house and have a cup of coffee and a piece of mother’s
hot apple pie with ice cream and meditate the problems. The end
result might be a yard planter or mail box stand. GOOD LUCK.
Then comes some notes from OWEN AND BUNNY ARNETT, 3326 Coldwell
Blvd., Nampa, Idaho 83651,208-467-4003: ‘Fellow engine and
tractor fixers-by the time you read this, we will have seen and met
some of you as we plan to leave on a business trip to the East the
first part of June and plan to talk engines here and there along
the way. Have made some good friends through the GEM and we are
always happy to have any – of you folks stop in for a chat when you
are out this way. Maybe we could tempt you with some good home
baked bread-we grind all our own flour with a gas engine, of
course, jam and fresh milk. Call any time!
One small complaint. In talking to different engine friends and
it has been my experience quite often- when answering ads or for
information, one never receives a return. At the postages these
days, one should always send a stamped return envelope, but then
maybe there are some stamp collectors somewhere. If the items are
sold and they don’t want to take the time to write the
information asked for, at least they could just write a NO on the
return envelope and drop it back in the mail.
One letter I received from a man in San Diego, only had his
first name signed and no address at all. His didn’t get
answered as the post office said there were lots of Johns in San
Diego. However, I find that most of the fellows are more than
willing to help in any way possible. I hope I can strive to come
under this area.’ (Glad most of the folks do answer, as people
really appreciate it as they write this column with expectations of
getting answers and advice or just making friends with a fellow
enthusiast in this hobby.)
MARK J. SERFASS, 3225 Nazareth Road, Easton, PA. 18042 would
like to know if anyone knows of stencils for a New Holland shotgun
corn shelter and for a #6? New Holland grinder. Both of his have
very little striping on them as they are quite old- The sheller is
all cast iron which is 5′ long and must weigh several hundred
pounds. Also, was there anything that was added to them to catch
the corn as the bottom is open. The grinder has a sheet metal
hopper and everyone he has seen has been rusted. He also has a 5 HP
New Holland with serial #4841 and would like to know when this
engine was made. Says he really likes GEM and would like to see it
become a monthly magazine. (Maybe some day, Mark.)
OWEN HARTLEY, 4000 Elks Drive, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001 has
something to say as he writes: ‘I have just purchased a Massey
Harris 4 W.D. tractor. I have looked back in all the past GEM’s
I have, and cannot find anything about it. All I can make out on
the serial plate is – an oval plate with Massey Harris at the top
and the number 301220-76 stamped and General Purpose Tractor at the
bottom.
This plate is on the right side just back and above of the front
axle housing. The head has a stamped No. 22202 and a stamped No.
223107C on the left side of the block. Also on the right side of
the block in cast letters behind the starter is No. 22200D and near
the front of the block a cast 9. All casting numbers start with RO.
It has a Bosch Mag also a starter with battery box up under the
steering wheel.
I would appreciate ANY information un year.
I also have a 1917 Moline with front wheel drive; and about 30
flywheel type engines including a 1? HP GOULD SHAPLEY & MUIER
Co., Brantford, Ontario, Canada. My father bought this engine new
in 1915 and it has never been out of the family.
Any help the readers of GEM will be most appreciated on the
Massey Harris. This tractor has MASSEY HARRIS in raised letters on
the exhaust manifold.’
I must caution you folks in reminding you that the Smoke
Rings column is only for exchanging information, or telling us
anything of interest, but I cannot list parts missing, or requests
for anything like you could buy, as literature, etc. This will have
to go in as an AD under the Classified Ads at UK per word. So
sometimes if it seems your whole letter wasn’t printed, that is
the reason. I think you can appreciate the fact we must keep this
column free from advertising.
Seeking correct address on a company is ELBRY H. MERRELL, Route
1, Emigrant, Montana 59027: ‘I would like to know if someone
might have the new name or address of Witte Engine Works, Kansas
City, Missouri. This name and address was stamped on an old gas
engine I have purchased and am trying to restore. I have written
them several letters which have been returned stamped-address
unknown. Surely would appreciate any help you might give
me.’
JERRY HASTINGS, 714 E. Orion Park, Mountain View, California
94043 asks: ‘Can you help me out with some information? I have
a SIMAR rototilier. Judging from the various patent pending numbers
in different countries, I would guess it was manufactured in
Britain. The serial number is 20318 and it is Type C81. I’d
like to get in touch with anyone who can give me any information on
this monster- anything will be appreciated.’
Also seeking help-any little bit of information even -is RICH
HOWARD, Hysham, Montana 59038: ‘Received my first copy of GEM
and enjoyed it immensely.
I am very new to this hobby-at any rate I found this old engine,
on trucks, at an abandoned sawmill. I know the mill operated in the
1920s so this must represent the approximate age of this engine,
assuming it was used at the mill. It is in a very remote area and
hard to get into. The trucks have double trees and neck yoke. The
nameplate reads Lausen-Lawton No. 4003, .8 HP at 350 RPM. Is this
considered an antique engine? How can I get it running? It is
stuck-all parts seem to be there.’ (You fellows have lots of
work cut out for you if you have information on all these
letters.)
TOM Mc CUTCHEN, SUPT. Milan Field Station, 205 Ellington Drive,
Milan, Tennessee 38358 says: ‘I want to say thanks for
including my letter requesting information on a steam whistle part
in your Smoke Rings column. Eight letters were received from steam
whistle collectors from New York to California.
I need information on an old sulky turning plow in my collection
of horse drawn equipment. It is a ‘St. Johns’ and has a
seat and also had handles at one time. Could any of the readers
tell me what company made this plow. The person from whom the plow
was obtained told me his grandfather used it and he is 70 years
old. Any help would be appreciated.
This is some information on the Witte engines-I do not know who
it is from as the address was not on the letter when I received it,
but an ELBRY H. MERRELL in this column had sent in a letter
requesting information on the Witte engines or company. Tim’s
letter is as follows: ‘Well, this week I received some rather
disappointing news that Witte engines no longer exist. It has
changed to Lister Diesels, Inc. I guess Witte was the last old
company to still make small engines; anyway I was trying to make
contact with Bob Bates when the news came. Does anyone know how to
get hold of him? He was the parts manager for Witte last year, but
no longer works there, since the changeover. I was told he could
give me some information on my small collection of Witte
engines.
Also I had a short plea in last July-August issue of GEM and had
no response; evidently this IS a rare engine. If
anyone has heard of Armstrong Mfg. Co. of Waterloo, Iowa, please
send a card in the mail. After many long hard hours, I have gotten
this engine to run on its own.
I want to thank you Anna Mae for such a great column. It must be
hard for you to print all these pleas and questions without having
answers, but regardless, I really appreciate your work and your
witness. It really encourages me.
GEM is number one for me. I also want to say I enjoyed the color
print of the Waterloo Boy on July-August issue-it’s great. (And
he signed, Yours in Christ, Tim – glad to hear from you Tim, but
I’m sorry, somehow the address was not with the letter.)
An interesting letter comes from BILL CAMPION, 15101 Riverside
Avenue, No., Marine-on-St. Croix, Minnesota 55047: ‘My son and
I have finished two restorations, and still have 5 engines to go. I
would like to pass on a trick we learned last fall. We did
‘rubbings’ of the brass nameplates on the engines, and
mounted them in a frame in our den. This way we were reminded of
them all winter. Place a piece of plain paper over the nameplate,
and rub it with a very soft pencil. For variety, we tried different
colored pencils.
We would really appreciate any information about ages of the
following: Hercules 1? E-#236495, Economy – 1? S- #343983, Sattley
-1-?- #13567, Monitor Type VJ 1?-#48164, and a Wonder Engine made
by the ‘Waterloo Cement Machinery Corporation, Waterloo, Iowa.
2 HP – #3339 72.
How about a bumper sticker saying ‘ILGEM’ (I Love Gas
Engine Magazine.)’
Someone, please help! is the plea from ELBERT STUMP, 915 Lawn
Avenue, Sellersville, Pennsylvania 18960: ‘I have a 12 HP
Columbus gas engine made in Columbus, Ohio. I need to know how far
the piston extends out of the cylinder when fartherest out and how
far in, when fartherest in as I have to make a new connecting rod
and throw bearing for it. Will answer all letters.’
DICK IMMINK, 4185 46th Street, Hamilton, Michigan 49419, phone
616-751-5452 is in the process of restoring a 6 HP Witte, serial
#16737, with a long rocker arm for valve operation. He would like
to hear from anyone who has an engine like this or knows about
them, so he can find or make parts.
Here is a letter from DAVE CESAN, 240 Chapin Road, Hampden,
Massachusetts 01036: ‘I’m writing you regarding my letter
published in the Jan.-Feb. 1978 issue of GEM requesting proper
colors for gas engines. The letters have stopped trickling in so I
will send you the list I have so far. It is far from complete, but
I’m sure that many will be helped with the part numbers we have
listed: John Deere, green, coast to coast {555-2221) (2744-02) both
#s on car.; yellow, Denusto D-6 pompom yellow; Ideal, green, Napa
martin senour #7817, also called Mercury outbound gran.; Economy,
red, Napa martin senour #7822 called Int. Harvester red; Hercules,
green, rustoleum #1382 called forest green; Internationals, red,
Dupont Duluxe enamel #43124 called oxblood red; Stover (early &
Jrs.) Dupont Duluxe enamel #93-2564-H, a deep red or they were
black; Stover (Type K & CT) Dupont Duluxe enamel #24166 called
brewster green. The following engines are also as the one just
listed: Fairbanks Morse, Sandwich, Novo, Lauson, I.H.C., (some),
Famous, Geiser, Foos, Rumely Oil Pull; Mogul, Ditzler DQE 40159
called apple green; Associated, Dupont Duluxe enamel #1434 called
Mohawk red; Fairbanks Morse ‘Z’, Pittsburgh part #732,
Duluxe #97708 is similar; Domestic, Dupont enamel #81372M.’
(I’ve typed this the best I could, some of the writing was very
hard to understand, so I hope you folks can make out with these
above listings.)
ERIC G. BRAIN, 5 Greenridge, Clutton, Bristol, England says:
‘I recently acquired an Emerson Brantingham 2 HP mode! U
engine, #1F5F2 in a poor condition and have started to restore it.
I’m trying to establish the age of this engine and have become
interested in the history of the E-B Company. So far I have traced
only a dozen or so owners in this country, none of whom seem to
know much about their engines. So I’ve been given your address
and am in hopes some of your readers will correspond with me and
give, me some enlightenment on these engines.’
TOM JARKKO, Box 104, Fitchburg, Ma. 01420 as he relates: ‘I
recently purchased a Witte Dieselectric power plant. I’m
interested in getting any information for this engine. The engine
is a 9 HP at 1200 RPM, serial number Dzz09. On the generator it has
#032643, KUA 7.5, KW 6, Amp 21, Cy. 60, volts 209/120, RPM 1200,
type lead, PH 3. Any help will be greatly appreciated.’
LEONARD GERBER, Route 1, Marietta, Minnesota 56257 needs to hear
from some of you, read on: ‘First, I enjoy the GEM very much,
reading about all the other ‘gas engine nuts.’ I have some
engines myself.
It is very hard to get valves out of an old rusty cylinder head
and a gas torch doesn’t seem to work very well as it’s hard
to heat the entire head. If it may help someone, I put a couple of
baskets of corn cobs on the ground and lay the cylinder head on
this. Heat will ruin valve springs so they must be taken off first.
After the fire has burned out and the head has cooled, the valves
can be tapped out with a light punch.
I have an engine, about a 1 or 2 horse horizontal. This engine
has no name or numbers on it. There is a design on the side of the
water jacket like this
The valve and cam system resembles that of Associated engine.
This engine has the fuel mixer missing, perhaps someone can help me
with this engine.
WALT CELLEY, R.R. 1, Cabot, Vermont 05647 writes: ‘I am
seeking information on a 6 HP Otto engine I recently purchased in
Pennsylvania, serial #14432, last patent date September 11, 1894.
This is a side shaft engine with vertical fly ball governor and is
tank-cooled. Would like to know the date of manufacture, color and
what the original cooling tank looks like. Will greatly appreciate
any of the above information. Phone 802-563-2201.
LARRY F. HARPSTER, Box 113A, Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylania
16865 wants you to look at his tractor picture and perhaps give him
some data on it: ‘Recently I acquired a 1948 Empire tractor
(model 90), and would appreciate any information the readers could
supply about the tractor. The only reference I could find about it
is in Gray’s Agriculture Tractor 1855-1950. The tractor uses
Willy’s Jeep engine, transmission, and transfer case. The firm
started production in 1946 and went out of business about 1950 or
so. I believe they must be quite scarce, as the serial number on
mine is only 5364. I would appreciate finding out the original
color, and would like to hear from anyone who has an Empire
tractor, or knows anything about them. Enclosed is a photo of the
tractor.
My compliments on your magazine. I have enjoyed it for nearly
four years, and look forward to each issue.’
‘CHUCK’ GARRETT, JR., 2660 Delaware Drive, Florissant,
Missouri 63033 tells us: ‘This is a report on the progress on
my Maytag powered Monitor lawn mower. I have a roster of
approximately 20 owners. Have received lots of nice letters and
some photos. The mowers run from brand new, still in crate to just
the engine. Each time I’ve been about to wrap it up, I’ll
get another answer. I should have a fairly complete history with an
interview of the company’s owner and other interesting
information on this company by fall. Right now, I’m working on
my 6 HP F-M, plus getting my newly acquired Delco light plant going
and getting it ready for summer show season.’
I have a letter here from HARRY L. RITTER, R.R. 5, Box 127,
Fulton (and that’s all the address says, can’t see which
state it was or zip code but I’m going to print the letter
anyhow as it may be of some help to you folks): ‘Well, spring
is here at last and I have grease under my fingernails again. Not
much with old iron though. Have been busy with lawn mowers.
In May-June GEM, Tom Jensen told how to make low tension coils.
I got Model T coils at an auction. The boxes were falling apart. I
took the core and coarse winding and wrapped them with electrical
tape and attached an alligator lip to each wire. It makes a good
coil, 12 or 6 volt. Can also be used as an electro magnet for those
dropped pieces of hardware – use only 6 volts as it will heat up on
12 volts. Next to the Bible, GEM is next!’
This next letter comes from GARY CROW, 1249 N. Golden State,
Turlock, California 95380: ‘I have a few questions for the
experts that read Smoke Rings. There are two engines in my
collection and I’m having trouble with them. First one is a 21
HP Jumbo Model C, serial #8295 with a lot of pieces missing. I
would be grateful to anyone that could send me a photograph of the
push rod side of the engine, showing the speed regulator and
governor detent lever. (See ad in back under classified for the
parts Gary needs.)
Second engine is a Woolery 5 HP, serial #2454. This engine is a
two stroke, very similar to a Fairmont in design. Can anyone tell
me the date of manufacture on these two engines? Was there any
connection between Fairmont and Woolery? And what’s the
difference between a Jumbo and a little Jumbo?’
TERRY WARD, Route 2, Box 52, Belleville, West Virginia writes
that he has a Cummins Oil engine and knows very little about it. He
would be most appreciative of letters with information.
A word comes from RONALD KUHLMAN, 732 E 3rd Street, P.O. Box
131, Gilman, Illinois 60938: ‘The engine bug has just hit me
this last year. I don’t have my first engine, other than two
Maytags, as yet, but I will have one this summer for sure.
One thing I would like to see is the price listed along with the
item for sale in your ad department. I think it would save a lot of
writing back and forth for both buyer and seller. (This may be
true, Ron, but we have to run the ads the way the seller is
presenting it and many do not care to quote the price, so we must
be satisfied either way.)
Could anyone tell me what I could use to replace the condenser
in my Maytag?’
GEORGE BOYER, Smith River, California 95567 still wants more
information as he relates: ‘Sure was pleased with the response
to my letter on my Witte engine. The slanted extension on the
hopper is for use on a drag saw. Still need a date, though.
Also need a date on my Ottawa engine, 5 HP, serial #TE27344.
Would anyone have a picture or drawing of a complete Ottawa 5 HP
saw outfit? Mine is not a drag saw, but is a circular saw. Was this
outfit on wheels originally? What is the part number of the balance
wheel? How many sizes of single flywheel Ottawa engines were made
and do they have decals on the hoppers? Would like to hear from
Ottawa collectors on any Ottawa engine. AND special thanks to Jim
Stultz and R. D. Hamp – their information really helped!’
DOUG VERMILLION, 3051 S. Ninth Avenue, Arcadis, California 91006
sends us a picture of his interest at the moment: ‘I would like
to have some help in regards to my 4 cycle Brush engine. I think it
must be a marine engine. It has a flyweight governor in the
flywheel. The pistons are at T. D. C at the same time, but fire
alternately. Also, it has a countershaft for smoothness of
operation. The rotation is counter clockwise looking from the
flywheel and no serial numbers, data plate etc. other than the name
THE BRUSH ENGINE cast in the crankcase cover plate. Any help from
any source as to age, uses, etc. would be greatly appreciated, as I
haven’t found anyone who can give me any data, thus far.’
(Well, there is a rare one to work on fellas.)
Sorry to hear of the death of Elmer W. Schaefer of Yoe,
Pennsylania- many of you will know who I mean as they attended many
shows as he had a table of model engines and Pauline always ran a
stand for the Iron-Men Album Magazine and Gas Engine Magazine. Our
deepest sympathies to the family and friends.
Keep trying to get your ads and material in as early as
possible, because we are not taking any classified ads or stories
for coming issues unless they are here in the office by the 1st of
the month. We’ll try to get them in the following issue.
I think I’ll close now and just wish you all a very
wonderful summer. If you remember me in your prayers, I’ll be
grateful as I’ve been having some problems this spring and I
believe very much in the prayers of other people. Our daughter,
Keli (Branyan) Gaffney has been doing a great deal of the work-she
is very efficient and the Lancaster office has interested workers,
so your letters and requests are all being taken care of daily.
God Bless each one of you – Love Ya.
