Hi! I guess you can see from the last issue there are many shows
coming up this summer and I bet some of you already have your gear
packed and everything in tip-top shape and set for take-off. Do
have fun and keep us posted on anything new, different, exciting or
just plain home style fun and chats from the wonderful reunions..
.and onto the many letters full of interest and questions.
JOHN TROUTMAN, 940 E. Street, Salida, Colorado 81201 writes:
‘In regard to my request on the Bean Orchard Sprayer engine in
the March/April issue, I have replies but they have been on 1 cyl.
upright engines. I forgot to mention that mine is a 2 cyl. 4 cycle
horizontal opposed, 10 HP, 850 RPM S/N 484. It has a 4-hole gear
driven lubricator on top. Does someone out there have one like
this? I would like to borrow photos or drawings on this set-up.
‘I also have a Schramm sideshaft air compressor and would
like some information on this unit. It is mfg. for Chris D. Schramm
& Son, Philadelphia, Pa. by Domestic Engine & Pump Co.,
Shippensburg, Pa. S/N 11305, speed 5004×4 and the governor lever
has been repaired, but doesn’t look like it will work right.
Would appreciate photo or drawings of this area.
‘I also have a Waterloo Boy(?) Model H 2 HP(?) As near as I
can determine from looking at pictures in G.E.M.
There is no name tag on it but there are rivets on the pulley side
where there was a tag. I got a rocker arm for this model and it fit
so I must be close on identification of engine. What year was it
made? I would like to hear from someone with an engine like mine
and would like photos or drawings of governor and igniter setup on
this unit.’
MIKE LON, RD #1, Wampum, Pennsylvania 16157 is proud to send us
this: ‘This picture is of my 82 year old grandmother with an
engine my father and I restored for her. She purchased it herself,
but we did the restoring to her tastes. It is a 1925 Economy 1 HP
engine. My dad painted ‘Gram’s Motor’ right on front of
the water hopper. Both she and the motor are special and both will
be at the Portersville Gas Engine Show this summer.
‘(Terrificisn’t it? See, this hobby hooks all ages no
limit!)
‘I want to thank GEM for putting my Titan
on the front cover of the March/April issue and you did it just at
the right time as I received my copy Saturday, March 19my 58th
birthday and it was the best present I ever got!
‘I have already made some new friends from this deal and it
makes me feel real good. I received a letter from a young fellow
just 18 years old, Hans A. V. Gerstl from Faber, Virginia 22938 and
he has restored an old Titan and he sent me a picture of it and he
surely did a nice job. It’s real nice to see someone so young
take an interest in this old iron.
‘I’m getting along pretty good on my old Model H Rumely
and hope to have it finished this fall for our Lewis & Clark
Parade.’ This letter comes from W. H. BAUGHMAN, 15-2nd Street,
S.E., Cut Bank, Montana 59427.
‘As an avid reader of your column for 2 years, the time has
come for me to ask for help from the good people out in Engine
Land,’ says JAMES A. CAVANAUGH, Box 855005, Richardson, Texas
75085.
He continues: ‘During the course of a one-year tour in
Korea, I managed to bring back an old gasser form there. The engine
was made by HAEGANG in Seoul, Korea. It is a single cylinder,
horizontal, hopper-cooled, 4 HP, 1200 RPM, 4′ bore, 6′
stroke, magneto ignition. When I tore it down I found that the main
and rod bearings are completely worn out. The crankshaft journals
are 1.558′ wide in diameter and the bearing caps are 2′
long. The rod bearing journal is 1.617′ wide in diameter and
the bearing cap is 15/8’ long. These are shell type split
bearings. My problem is finding suitable replacement bearings for
this engine. Could anyone tell me where I could get bearings close
to these dimensions? I’ve tried all the automobile bearings,
but they are too big in diameter and not long enough. I’ll be
more than willing to answer any and all offers of help that I
get.
‘I’ve used several suggestions in previous articles in
GEM to get past engines to run again, so the
articles really do help. Keep up the good work!’
BURL H. GILBURN, 6637 Pendleton Drive, N.W., Roanoke, Virginia
24019 says: ‘I am a new subscriber to GEM, but
I’m already hooked. It’s been many a day since I have
enjoyed a magazine like I have this one.
‘Now, I need some help on my first attempt at restoration. I
have an Empire. The nameplate says Empire Cream Separator Co.,
Bloomfield, N.J. 5 HP, RPM 400, No. 87686. The engine now fires by
plug which I believe is original, but the contact points operate
from a flat spot on the hub of the flywheel opposite from the time
valve operation. Need info on mfg. and the exact original firing
mechanism.’
‘Congratulations to a staff doing a great job. I enjoy your
work very much. I have tried to help others with their requests,
however, this is my first call for help,’ says NED C. HERMAN,
SR., 6001 Meyers Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215.
He continues: ‘I have what I think is the Famous Associated
Six Mule Team 6 HP gasoline engine. A hit and miss, open crank,
make and break ignition, 4′ bore, 9’ stroke with the base
and cylinder cast together. When I got my engine the nameplate was
missing and the engine was very rusty with some parts broken and
rusted. It took several months to get it apart, rework many parts
and replace others and finally replaced the igniter with a spark
plug and modern battery ignition before I was able to get it
running. A great deal of help from my son was also necessary.
‘I have written letters to many people advertising
Associated engines, also wrote Clarence Snyder who had an article
on Associated engines in May/June 1982 issue. He answered me and he
has never seen an Associated engine with the base and cylinder cast
together. I would like to know if anyone else has?
I would like to make up a list of owners and their engines for
our mutual benefit on the Associated. Send a S. A.S.E. and I will
be happy to share my findings from this article. Am at home most
evenings at 513-761-7609 if you care to call, no collect calls
please!’ Ned signed his letter, ‘A new to the hobby,
old by age gas engine nut from Ohio.’
JOSEPH E. BALASKI, 66 Devon Wood Drive, Waterbury, Connecticut
06708 is seeking information on an old engine he acquired a few
years ago. Please enjoy his scale drawing and give him all the help
you can. His letter follows:
‘To date, no one has been able to identify this hit and miss
engine. The only casting numbers are 4B on the engine base and the
access plate to the crankcase has the words ‘ALWAYS READY’
cast into the plate. The top left corner reserved for the serial
number is blank. The bore is 6’/stroke is 5′, and the
piston rings are 3/8‘. The seating
surface of the valves are flat and not beveled as with conventional
valves. The carburetor is quite an elaborate brass device with 5
different points of control and was made by Stromberg Motor Devices
Co. of Chicago and is marked July 13, 1909. Although the copper
watertank and fuel tank are missing, their mounting hardware is
intact. The engine is set on the original wood skids that are hand
carved and is truly a work of art.
‘Unfortunately, standing water has rusted through the
cylinder wall and it is in need of much work to be able to run
again.
‘I truly would appreciate any and all information about this
engine as this will enable me to advertise for parts in the wanted
section of GEM.’
A newcomer seeks your help please don’t disappoint him.
KEVIN STEGEMAN, Route 2, Box 120, Montevideo, Minnesota 56265
writes:
‘I have an old United Tractor. I know that it was made by
Allis-Chalmers for the United Tractor and Equipment Assn. This is
all the information I have on it. I would like to find out more on
it, especially the year it was made. The S/N is U8872 and the
engine number is 6629. This tractor has a 4 cylinder flathead
continental engine and a standard wide front.
‘Thank you for your time and effort. I am a new subscriber
to your magazine and I find it very interesting and very
informative. I have been collecting for 3 years now.’
‘Here is a picture of my 1934 Farmall F-30 high clearance
cane tractor, S/N FB6872CNW. I recently restored the tractor and
won a first place trophy for best restored tractor at our Annual
Antique Tractor Show and Pull,’ says JOHN COHOON, Route 1,
Steele, Missouri 63877. Phone 314-695-3705.
‘These tractors were specially manufactured for cane
production. It has 44′ tires on the rear and 21’ wheels on
the front. This tractor is high clearance with a wide front axle.
It was designed to straddle one row of cane. I have two of these
cane tractors; the one I just finished restoring and another which
is unrestored.
‘I am a member and Vice-President of the Boothead Antique
Tractor Club of Kennett, Missouri. We have about 20 members and 80
tractors altogether. I own 25 tractors, Farmall and John Deere. But
I especially like my F-30 cane tractor. I call it my pride and
joy!’ (And I don’t blame you John, and don’t forget to
send us your information and show dates if you have any for the
1984
Steam and Gas Show directory. And that goes for all clubs,
whether you’re just beginning or have been organized for a
while. List your club and dates with us free in the
Directory.)
All letters will be answered if you write GERALD B. SHAFER, R.R.
2, Box 117, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103 as he explains: ‘I
recently purchased a Sears & Roebuck Co. Economy tractor Model
220.26, S/N 1469. These tractors were powered by Model A Ford
engines. I would enjoy corresponding with anyone having information
regarding the years manufactured, color and paint scheme and mfgs.
name and address.’
Some data on Pullford tractors comes from M. H. DOWNER, 73401
Broadhead Road, Kimbolton, Ohio 43749 as he tells us: ‘A
Pullford tractor was obtained by adding an after-market attachment
to a stock Model T chassis. The attachment was built by The
Pullford Company, Quincy, Illinois.
‘The Pullford attachment consisted of a heavy main axle and
draw bar with massive roller bearing mounted on bull wheels. The
heavy bull gears meshed with pinions which replaced the rear wheels
of the Ford car. The bull gears had 90 teeth and the pinions 7
which meant a 13 to 1 reduction. This multiplied the draw bar pull
by 13. By the addition of another after-market product, the 2-speed
Ruxtell axle, the gear reduction in Ruxtell low was 25 to 1. This
made the Pullford a two-plow tractor.
‘Due to the ground speed, cooling problems were encountered.
To remedy this difficulty the small thermo-siphon cooling system
was replaced with an after-market large-capacity radiator and water
pump. Both the Fordson tractor and the Model T had a very primitive
ignition system. It consisted of individual vibrator coils
energized by a flywheel magneto, one coil per cylinder. The
cylinder firing was timed by a crude roller on the front end of the
camshaft. The roller passed over alternate insulators and
electrical contacts to the various cylinders. To reduce wear the
roller was geared which gave a very uncertain contact, occasionally
by hard starting.
‘About a dozen after-market suppliers furnished bolt-on high
tension distributors to replace the troublesome stock ignition
system. Battery ignition was powered by a 6 volt battery. Adequate
ignition gave the Model T engine a whole new performance
capability.
‘We are restoring one of these World War I vintage tractors
and would like to hear from other Pullford owners.’
BOB MILLER, Box 644, White Salmon, Washington 98672 sends this
note and will be awaiting answers: ‘I am restoring a 2 HP 600
RPM Stover engine for a friend of mine. S/N TA 226892 SR. It has an
enclosed crankshaft and was made in 1935. It is not complete. The
solid flywheels have three tear-drop shaped holes in them instead
of the round holes like the Stover C.T. model. I need to correspond
with anyone who has an engine like this. I’ve never seen one
quite like it.’
‘A friend found the pictured Standard garden tractor with
trees growing through it about 10 years ago; cut the trees and
dragged it home. He gave it to me about a month ago, oil still in
the crankcase and engine is free. It has a connecting rod stamped
AA Ford. Has small cam operated oil pump, a Zenith or Tillston
carb. S/N 11736 stamped by the oil fill hole. The words Standard
Garden Tractor are barely visible on the flywheel cover. I need the
following information: The ignitor has no magneto or place for one
so I assume it is coil and battery, is it? What did the gas tank
look like and where is it located? How is the engine timed?’
(All these questions are waiting to be answered for JAMES C.
BEAU-CHAMP, 27855 West California, Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076.
Jim also says he enjoysGEM and reads it
cover to cover the day received.)
As you read this column, perhaps you would like to correspond
with DALE BOSS, 7195 Colony Road, La Mesa, California 92041 about
his engine. Dale says: ‘I recently acquired a 1 HP Foos engine
Model J. It is a hopper-cooled and has spark plug ignition, no mag
and 2′ bore and 4′ stroke. I believe it is quite old
because instead of grease cups on the mains it has cotton waste
reservoirs with flip-up covers. Nothing is clear to me about this
engine so I would really like to write to someone who has one like
it.’
‘I have always enjoyed reading GEM from
cover to cover and have responded to a few pleas for help, but now
the table is turned,’ says ROBERT E. HICKS, 1161 Banbury Trail,
Maitland, Florida 32751. ‘I found, in the woods of Northwestern
Arkansas with a sizable tree grown up through ita spray rig like I
have never seen. After disassembling, I loaded it in my van and
moved it to my garage in Florida. After weeks of admiring it, I
have begun the restoration process.
‘It is a 3 HP Novo upright engine, Bean 3 cylinder pump and
a Redwood tank, collapsed. Everything except part of the tank seems
to be present, but nothing works. The engine is free but the valves
are stuck, the pump is all frozen. S/N 64533, Revs 525, battery and
coil ignition. I would like to know when it was manufactured, the
original colors, how to pour babbitt main bearings, how to hook up
the battery and would like to correspond with anyone who can help
with info and who can tell me how to remove a frozen valve cage. In
the Wanted section on page 64 of May-June I advertised for parts
for the 3 HP Novo and will tackle the other two later.’
BOB STANBERG, RR 3, Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 is wondering if
someone out there could help him with an old Briggs-Stratton Model
BR-SN (?). It is a good-sized engine 5-7 HP all cast iron, crank
start, gear reduction with Kinston carburetor. Help! Bob says he
will answer all letters.
A most interesting letter comes from RALPH HENDRICKSON, Box 55,
Neneveh, New York 13813: ‘I have been a subscriber to the
Gas Engine Magazine for several years, almost as
long as I have been a member of the Southern Tier Antique Engine
Club. I read it from cover to cover and have the first copy I ever
received. I enjoy the magazine with only one objection which I am
about to rectify.
‘Except for our club announcement of our annual August
reunion, I never read about anything concerning our club. This is
what makes good reading, when you know the person or persons
involved.
‘We have a fine club with a lot of nice people and some fine
machines. We have all the reasons in the world to be proud of
ourselves. It isn’t the largest club nor is it the smallest
club. It is best described as the average club that is very active.
Almost every weekend during the summer we have a ‘gas-up’
some place.
‘What prompted this little article was the 10-20 Titan on
the cover of the March-April issue of our magazine. We have an
older one in our club. John Howes of Sidney, New York owns a
1916one of the oldest ones! I understand that a few were made in
1915. Is there anyone in engine land with an older one?
‘On the second page of the same magazine is the picture of a
Rumely Oil Pull. Our club has a similar one owned by Ralph Loomis
of 11 Church Street, Maine, New York. The picture enclosed with
this letter is misleading. The Oil Pull has improved with age.
Those dents in the fender are long gone. Ralph treats the piece of
old iron with tender loving care; he’d part with his wife
first. It’s a little large to take to bed with him, but he has
been known to sleep with it.
‘Ralph and the Rumely Oil Pull have been around as long as
the engine club. Ralph is one of the founders. At one time he was
president and still is active in the role of a minor officer. He
doesn’t get around like he used to, but he can be seen at the
major functions of the club. Ralph is handy with tools and can be
found helping other members on magnetos and other hard stuff.
‘Again another oddity, on page 18 of the same magazineI see
a David Bradley Tri Trac Riding tractor. John Howes of Sidney, NY,
has one just like it. None of this is spectacular, it just goes to
show you our Southern Tier Engine Club has a lot to write about. I
just hope other members of the club get busy. You can’t pick up
a Gas Engine Magazine without seeing several pieces of old
iron similar to those in the club.
‘Because of the area covered by the club we are forming
Satellite clubs that hold maintenance meetings, movies, lectures
and small gas-ups. We all get together at our annual reunion at
Maine, New York on August 26, 27, and 28.
‘Participation is the name of the game. We are great ball
players, like any good ball game we have built up quite a
grandstand. One spectator about 10 asked a question I can’t
answer. Does anyone in engine land know where the electric starter
is on a 2 horse Witte? If they do please contact Ralph Hendrickson.
He needs one!’
With lots of details and needing help this letter arrives from
WAYNE SADDLEMIRE, 72 Seneca Mobile Manor, Clinton, New York
13323:
‘Help GEM readers! I guess I know when
I’m beat! So I give up! I’ve had this gas engine for some
six years and I’ve hauled it around to all the shows here in
N.Y.S. that our club goes to. No one can really put a name on it.
I’ve had a lot of I-think-it-might-be-a, but no real solid
name, year, HP, color or anything else. PLEASE HELP!
‘The engine is air-cooled, the head is brass air-cooled with
fins. In back of the head is another set of fins which is made of
copper; they are affixed to the block. Those fins are about
1/8‘ thick with about
1/8‘ air space. They are square and are
about 12 of them. The intake is at the bottom of the engine coming
from the front going through the base and up into the combustion
chamber. No carburetor with engine. The ignition comes from an
insulated hub on the right side, outside the balance wheel. This
has an adjustment rod to advance spark or retard spark. On the left
side are two brass weights mounted inside the power or belt wheel.
The crankshaft is too narrow for a normal type pulley. It has a
movable brass hand throttle on the left side, which goes to an
eccentric which is on the hub on the left power wheel. The piston
is completely enclosed. The splash cover or guard is so well-made
or machined, you have no need for a gasket. It has two drip oilers
for the piston and two grease pressure type cups to grease the
crankshaft. The base of engine, flywheel and pulley wheel are of
cast steel. The weight of this engine is very close to that of my 3
HP Fairbanks Morse and is only about half the size; IT’S HEAVY!
It has a spark plug, so it must have been fired by a battery and
coil, wouldn’t you think? Oh yes, it has a serial no. 254 and I
believe two letters M.M. or M.N.
‘The engine ran a line shaft in a grain shed when I obtained
it. There was a sheller, a burr mill and a crushing machine for
rolling oats or wheat I guess.’
TOM HALL, 3627 E. Garfield, Decatur, Illinois 62526 needs to
hear from you: ‘I need help from out there in Engine Land. I
have an Allen Magneto Testing Unit, Type E 221 S/N 17410. I need to
know how to hook it up and how to operate it. If anyone has an
operating manual, I would like to hear from him for any information
will be appreciated.
‘We love your magazine. We pass it around in the family so
everyone can read it. So many of the articles are inspiration for
us to keep finding and working on old tractors and engines. Thanks
for being here to publish the magazine.’ (And thank you,
Tom, for such a nice compliment.).
In reply to the Smoke Rings article on page 12 of the Mar-Apr.
GEM we received this note from HERBERT M. PERSING,
Route 2, Box 294, Pittsfield, Pennsylvania 16340: ‘The birth
control pills turned out to be a waste of time. By the way of the
grapevine, I got wind of what was to take place and fixed up an
antidote for the pills which were spread over the country by A.T.C.
cyclists. The antidote worked and the scouts didn’t conduct a
thorough enough search as I have found a couple more Jacobsons.
These engines are truly the elite of gas engines, so was glad to
keep the Jake mating season open. It would be hard to put an end to
an engine as strong and super as the Jacobson. Mighty glad I have
10 Jacobson side-shafts.’
RONNIE THOMPSON, Route 1, Box 717, Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750 is
writing to find out if he can get help. He has a crankshaft from a
Maytag single cyl. engine and the throw needs turning down and
building back up to 7/8‘. He would like
to hear from you. He sends this diagram.
‘I goofed in my last letter,’ admits GARY H. GESINK, 715
South Main, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250. ‘Rock Island Tractor was
not put out by Moline Plow Co. but by Rock Island Plow Co.Heider
was put out by Moline Plow Co. and Moline Universal Tractor came
out in 1917 and was the first tractor to come out with electric
lights and starter had a Stevens motor 3′ x 5′, 1800 R.
Heider had a Waukesha Motor.’
Well, here is a request for information that I can’t give
but perhaps some of you readers can help MARK J. SERF ASS, 2625
Newburg Road, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042: ‘Thank you for having
such a good GEM. I sent you a request for anyone having Messinger
gas engines that you ran in Smoke Rings, and I found a couple more
engines from that issue.
‘I would like to know if you can help me find four people.
First, the person who lives around Scranton who bought a 12 HP
Messinger from a man who lives near Phillipsburg, NJ; second,
someone who bought a collection of 18 or so engines in Allentown,
Pa. Third, a % HP air cooled model is owned by someone south of
Pennsylvania, and finally I would like to hear from the Mr.
Lau-dermilch who shows a 9 HP at Williams Grove every year.’
(Hope these collectors recognize themselves and respond to you,
Mark.)
A newcomer would like you to help him with information about his
engine. BILL STONE, 383 S. Main Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts
02025 relates: ‘I am new to the collecting of old iron, but
have been around engines all my life. I have recently acquired an
engine and would like to have it identified. Help! I have been told
it is from a Reo truck. It is horizontally opposed with a 4′
bore and approximately 5 or 6’ stroke. There is a casting No.
on cylinder of U3K and U3KB and on the timing gear cover U54K. It
has a Maximus timer made by the Beckley Ralston Co. in Chicago.
Pat. in June 2, 1908. It has mounts cast on each head as if to
mount between two rails or channels and takes a big spark plug with
a ‘ pipe thread. It weighs about 150 lbs. as is and measures
about 3 feet across.’
ROLAND CORTELYOU, 325 Duffy Avenue, Hicksville, New York 11801
would like your assistance, if possible. Read on: ‘My
grandfather had a tractor which could be attached to the shafts of
a carriage and used in place of the horse. I recall that it had one
wheel, an imitation horse head on it and was controlled by reins as
a horse would be. While I have preserved his carriages and harness,
no one knows what happed to the tractor. I am curious if there is
any information available about this type device or if anyone has
one.’ (I’ve never heard of this. How about you folks?)
This letter from LYNN ANDERSEN, Box 81, Bisbee, Arizona 85603
relates: ‘Just bought a cute little 1A F-M Eclipse but need
some info. Did it ever have a name plate or decals, and if so, are
they being reproduced?
‘Also, we’re restoring a huge tank-cooled 15 HP F-M
‘Z’ for a historic memorial: it pumped water for
Pershing’s doughboys around 1916 during troubles at nearby
Mexican border. Serial number is 225022, but it was bought second
hand according to the original family which still owns old fort
where I got it. So, how old is it actually? (Uses early type Sumter
flip magneto.) Apparently the monster also had some sort of crank
guard. Are these being made again, or does anyone have one I could
borrow so I could have an aluminum copy cast (see want ad)? As soon
as we take care of this last missing part and find an old car frame
for wheels, we can bring her out puffing and snorting for the 4th
of July parades, and give the youngsters a real look at a real
‘GEM’ (no pun intended)! Thanks for the help…’
