Hi! March-April issue means Springtime somewhere in those eight
weeks-getting ready for gardens is important to many, but just as
important is getting ready for the Gas Shows-so go ahead and pick
the seeds for your garden and the paints and parts for the
engine-and have a great time-when you’re done reading the
G.E.M. And now on to those terrific letters that also aid many of
the folks in our G.E.M. family-
Our first letter is from a young enthusiast named CHARLIE
McGUIRE, R.F.D. 1, Burdick Road, Norwich, Connecticut 06360: ‘I
am 12 years old and have been collecting engines for three years.
So far I have only two engines. The first engine which is restored
is a 2? HP Economy, 450 RPM and the engine number is 82733. I would
like information on that engine.
Also, my other engine is a Friend Orchard Sprayer, Model Serial
number is DX7694. I would like to know the color of it. Also on the
carburetor, which is a Schebler manufactured in Indianapolis,
Indiana, there is a casting number on the side of the bowl DX111
and under that number is the letter S- what does that S mean? It is
spark plug ignition, but was there ever a magneto? I don’t see
a place for one. Well, hope I get some good answers.’ (And I
hope you do too Charlie-and thanks for writing.)
ROY NEWTON, 13967 Marquesas Way, Marina Del Roy, California
90291 writes: ‘We are restoring a marine engine which will
ultimately go into a 1923 antique launch, and we are seeking
information on the year of manufacturing. It is a United States
Motor Corp., Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Model #OK-4, Serial #91114. An ad
from a 1927 issue indicates it is from that era. The company
eventually ended up a part of Emerson Electric and through the
years the records were lost or destroyed. We are looking for a
manual of repair or a copy of same. We would like to communicate
with anyone who could help. (See classified ads.)
G.E.M.’s have been most helpful in suggesting that we write
you to see what your readers say. I might add that we are into
antique boating and now that we have discovered G.E.M. we have
added a new dimension. My wife doesn’t need this-but I do!
We would like to thank you for the most enjoyable articles in
your column. You have a great way of presenting (otherwise-droll)
information with good humor. We look forward to each issue. Good
luck!’ (Thank you so much Roy-and I hope you get letters and
help on your engine.)
From ED F. EDWARDS, P.O. Box 197, Big Bend, California 96011
sends this letter: ‘Enclosed is a picture of an old Pelton
Wheel for hooking up to a generator to supply electricity for
lights, etc. This old Pelton wheel was used on the ranch that we
bought, in northern California, which is where we now live. It was
used to supply power (electricity) for the old ranch house (that
used to be where our new house now stands) for several years until
1957 when they brought the power lines in. The following is cast
into the side of the (lower half) of the outside cast iron shell of
the Pelton wheel: THE TUTTHILL WATER MOTOR, Patented Feb. 26, 1895,
Oakland Iron Works Builders, Oakland, Cal. It has wick oil mains,
babbitt bearings and a 4 inch gate valve to let the water into
it.
At the inside end of the 4′ gate valve, there is a nozzle
that tapers from 4′ down to 1′ in diameter at the end that
the water comes out to open the Pelton wheel on the shaft, by the
water hitting the cups, which are staggered side to side of the
centerline of the rim of the spoked wheel on the shaft. Would any
of the G.E.M. readers know approximately what size generator or
alternator could be run off this, or about what horsepower would be
obtained at 40 lbs. pressure in the 4′ line (before the water
goes through the nozzle and tapers to a 1′ diameter
outlet)?
There is a cast brass nameplate on the side (not shown in the
picture) of the 4′ gate valve that says EMPIRE. I plan to
restore this old water wheel and put it to use as a (stand-by)
power source when our regular (Bower Company) power goes out, which
is fairly often in the winter (anytime it rains hard, snows or when
the wind blows too hard.) Our power was out for three days this
last Christmas because of over 3 feet of snow and of course, the
phone went out too. I would appreciate any help that the G.E.M.
readers could give me as to what size generator that this would
run. We have a 4′ water line that comes down from our lake to
supply water for irrigation in the summer and used to be to supply
water to turn the wheel inside this (water motor) also. There is
about 100 feet of ‘fall’ from the lake to where the unit is
to be mounted. This old (water motor) got away just before we
bought the ranch and I found it and traded some cattle grazing to
get it back-now, it is home to stay.’
R. J. GILMOR, 3304 River Street, Kingston, Michigan 48741 says:
‘The Gas Engine Magazine is great. I enjoy it very much. I know
you help a lot of people, so maybe you can help me. (It is the
readers who help you R.J.-I’m just the go-between person and I
hope they can help you this time.) I am restoring an EASY engine
No. 18247 made by the Syracuse Washing Machine Corp., Syracuse, New
York. I would like any information I could get on this
engine.’
This letter comes from MYRON McGREGOR, RR 2, Oakland, Illinois
61943: ‘I’m rather new at collecting antique tractors and
the Gas Engine Magazine has been a very big help to me. It is tops
in magazines as far as my opinion goes. Keep up the good work.
‘I’m restoring an International 8-16 tractor at this
time and would like some help. I have been able to get pictures of
the side and rear view of one, but I would like an original view of
the front of the tractor.’
ROBERT KNUDSON, 3495 South Maple Island Road, Ravenna, Michigan
49451 sends this: ‘Would anyone in Gas Engineland be able to
help me with three engines I have? I have never seen any at the
shows or in G.E.M.
The first is a Lalley Light Plant, 1 cylinder, 2 cycle, 40 volt
generator made by the Robbins & Myers Co. in Springfield,
Ohio.
The second is a ‘Ward’ gasoline engine serial #4065, 2
HP GE-type with a side shaft made in about 1900. I think it is
natural gas runable too, and I would like the place and company
that manufactured, color and any other information pertaining to
this engine.
The third is an ‘Ohio’ gas and gasoline manufactured by
the Ohio Motor Co. in Sandusky, Ohio. It has 6 HP, serial #5 with a
side shaft. This engine seems to have a natural gas carb. which I
need help with operation procedure, color and cooling tank
design.
I would like to correspond with someone who has information that
I need on any of these engines. Keep up the good work with G.E.M.,
I enjoy it from cover to cover.’
EDGAR WHITE, 112 Averbough Avenue, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
would like to hear from anyone that has information and color of a
3 HP Boos oil engine diesel manufactured at St. Mary, Ohio – a very
rare engine. (Watch the mails Ed-you’ll probably get some
letters.)
A note from TOM McCARTY, Lorchwood, Iowa 51241 tells us:
‘Thanks for a great magazine. I have a Delco light plant with
battery jars- nothing in the jars. Can someone tell me if they can
be rebuilt and if so, how or where?? Will answer all letters and
return postage if wanted.’
A letter from ARTHUR BUHLER, Buhler Construction Company,
Butterfield, Minnesota he writes us: ‘I have restored a 30-60
Aultman-Taylor tractor. Our tractor has the round radiator with the
many two-inch tubes running through it. We have all the painting
and colors and lettering complete with the exception of the sides
of the radiator. We have a very small picture which shows the decal
or stencil of the sides of the radiator. On this stencil it shows
the picture of two men on the side of the name, Aultman-Taylor.
Do you have any idea where we could get a picture big enough to
show in detail how this stencil looks? If we could get something
like this, we could have a good local artist paint it on our
tractor.’
Maybe you fellows can help this writer-GENE BICKNESE, Route 1,
Worthington, Minnesota 56187: ‘I just bought a Harris 4-wheel
drive tractor, late 1940s or early 1950s, built in Stockton,
California, serial number 43841. Would like to know what the paint
colors were and what different attachments were available for it.
This is not connected with Massey Harris.’
BOB CHRISTENSON, Bismark, North Dakota 58501 talks to us as he
sends in an order: ‘I have just sent in my renewal subscription
for the Iron Man Album and the Gas Engine Magazine. I enjoy both
publications very much as they help make our long North Dakota
winters a little shorter. I must admit we have been very fortunate
this year with no snow and mild temperatures. The two winters
previous, we would no sooner get the road opened and we’d have
to start all over.
Our harvest was fair this year considering we had a late spring
and another dry summer. In early September we dragged out the old
Mc-Cormick Deering binder and cut 30 acres of ‘Olaf wheat. We
had a 1926 Rumely Oil Pull 25-45 Model R, a 1930 Rumely Six and a
19?? 32-45 Huber gas tractor alternately belted to a 26’ Huber
separator which did a nice job of threshing. Kids from 8 to 80
pitched a few bundles into the aging separator to the delight of
the sensitive governors on the Rumelys-enough fond memories to last
until next time.
Best wishes to you and yours for a happy and prosperous new
year.’ (Thanks and the best to you also.)
This man needs some help and will be awaiting answers from the
readers: ‘Enough cannot be said for all the help and value of
your magazine as it has been to myself and all the other fellow
hobbyists.
I come to you for HELP in order that I may be able to restore
two engines. One is a W. T. Garrett & Co. No. 3 patented Apr.
14, 189?- last number chiseled off and Jan 25, 1898. It has a
6′ bore and 10′ stroke, flywheels 40′ x
31/8‘.
The second is a WHAT IS IT? as there are no numbers or other
identification on any of the parts. I would appreciate
corresponding with anyone knowing what either engine looks like in
running condition.’ (If you have answers write ERNIE GODDARD,
6921 Lincoln Oaks Drive, Fair Oaks, California 95628.)
From HAROLD EDWARDS, 1201 E. Center Street, Warsaw, Indiana
46580: ‘We at our house all read the G.E.M. We especially like
to read the Smoke Rings and wish more could be printed. We need
help as to what color should be used on a 6 HP Simplicity engine
also on a 1? HP Alamo. Can anyone help us on these colors?
ROGER DOLLIFF, 2680 Pheasant Road, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331
needs some answers and is counting on your help: ‘Though I have
several gas engines, I need more information on two, and would
really appreciate a reply from those of you that can help. Please
also look at my Wanted Ad in the classified for owner’s manuals
on each.
Anyway, within the year I bought a small Novo and a Delco light
plant I need help on. The Novo is a small upright Serial #AG4713.
This is a small, perhaps 1 HP or less, upright with a tank on the
side with openings top and bottom to accommodate thermal gravity
cooling. It’s a cute little engine and for some strange reason
I’ve never seen one at a show. I had the magneto rebuilt and
lost all reference to any timing, which I’ll need help with. Is
this a common engine? How old is it? I suspect this one was used
for mixing cement by the residue on it.
My other problem is a 850 watt Delco light plant Serial #3902
that I have just cleaned up and am anxious to get running. As a
matter of fact we are in the process of building a leisure home in
northern Minnesota and I would like to have it duo wired, so that
in case of power failure I could crank up the Delco. Since I
don’t even know where to start on this, such as hooking up,
batteries, etc. anything I could learn would be helpful. What is
its age? Any reply will be answered.
A short note requests two answers as we hear from STEWART SALT,
121 Rainier Avenue, Dromana, Victoria, Australia: ‘Would any of
your readers be able to give me the date of manufacture and
original painting details of a 1? HP Ottawa, No. TA7803 as very few
of these motors were imported into Australia and little is known of
them.’
Next two letters are from DOC SCHUSTER, 3535 Glen Oak Drive,
Eugene, Oregon 97405. The first one deals with some answers Doc
received to some questions he had written us about in an earlier
magazine: ‘In the November-December issue, I asked several
questions about John Deere Model E engines. Thanks to several
helpful correspondents, here are the answers:
(1) Dark gray plating or coating-possibly from heat
treating or perhaps it was a protective coating.
(2) Lubrication to the gear end bearing of the magneto-oil
from the crankcase enters the bearing via the rifle-drilled
armature shaft and hence thru a connecting hole to the shaft
bearing surface. Oil throwing is due to piston blow-by plus
crankcase pressure from the moving piston. Early engines had no
crankcase ventilators. The annoyance can be alleviated by boring a
hole through the top ‘pulley’ side of the crankcase cover
and attaching a leather flap (for a valve) or tapping the hole for
a 2′ or 3′ perforated grease cup filled with steel wool or
loose cotton.
(3) Oil loss around the bottom of the magneto plate-the
gasket between the magneto plate and crankcase cover should be
3/16‘ overlength at the bottom. The
3/16‘ excess is to be folded
under the magneto plate during assembly and fits
between the bottom edge of the magneto plate and the cork crankcase
cover gasket.
(4) Another correspondent brought up two more thoughtful
ideas. He found that by carefully bending the crankcase oil
deflector beside the governor weights so that it was closely
adapted to their arc while running, he was able to reduce to some
degree the amount of oil throwing. He also theorized that the felt
magneto gasket might have been intended originally to function as a
crankcase breather.
I couldn’t resist sharing these answers with other
readers.’
This second letter is from DOC SCHUSTER and it deals with some
more questions Doc would like to have answered: ‘I am restoring
an Alamo type A Blueline engine, 1? HP with Webster low-tension
ignition. Serial number is in the 75,700 range.
My problem is this: I would like to restore it exactly as it was
originally, but I cannot be sure precisely where the fuel tank fits
or even if the fuel tank is the original. The tank is made of
soft-soldered light gauge galvanized stock, 13′ x 5′ x
37/8‘ and it looks like factory
construction. The engine was bolted to a heavy flatboard 22′ x
7?’ x 1?’, which looks like part of the original wooden
skid. Both tank and board have a hole about
7/8‘ in diameter, a
21/8‘ from the end of each, and centered
from side to side. This suggests a filler pipe extending from the
tank through the top of the board. But how was it
possible to reach the filler opening to fill the tank? The filler
opening would be al-most directly beneath the carburetor-mixer.
To further confuse the issue, a 1919 Empire Cream Separator
Catalogue has a picture of a 1 HP Empire type A engine. It is
identical with the Alamo 1? HP engine, except for
the igniter setup. In the Empire catalogue the fuel tank is
definitely mounted immediately behind the engine.
What is the connection between Alamo and Empire? Can anyone help
me?’
This next letter comes from LEONARD SPOELMAN, 3221 Brookshire
SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508 and he refers to some of the
questions of the previous letter by Doc Schuster. Read on:
‘Here I am again, trying to get some information in to you and
deadline is upon me! I am referring to the Nov.-Dec. 1979 issue of
G.E.M.
First, a reminder that many of these old companies are still in
business and would be glad to help the serious collector in his
restoration. Richard Nielsen should contact Fairmont Railway
Motors, Inc., Fairmont, Minnesota for help on his Fairmont engine.
Minneapolis Moline Division of White Motors should be able to give
Wayne Cole the information he seeks on his MM Comfortractor.
Fred J. (Doc) Schuster discussed John Deere Engines. In my
experience, I’ve not found them to be oil throwers as he says,
but maybe I’ve been lucky. I have had the situation of oil
leaking into the gas tank as he discussed and my problem turned out
to be pin-hole leaks caused by rust. This would not be corrected by
his solution of fastening the pan more firmly to the bottom of the
engine. The steel sheet will either have to be replaced or (as I
did) coated with Epoxy to seal it up.
Doc asks what type of coating was applied to cast iron parts
originally? This was discussed by E. S. Purdom in Mar.-Apr. 1966
G.E.M., page 22. Basically, he describes ‘Hard Putty’
application followed by ‘Rough Stuff and gives the formula for
mixing these. He offers to provide a finishing schedule using
modern materials but I do not know if one was later published or
not. I think some of the auto body fillers would be acceptable.
Possibly someone more skilled with paints can offer a good
finishing schedule.
And now an address correction. Doc recommended GOR-NEL-CO. Their
address is Chisago City, Minnesota 55013 and not Chicago City as
printed. I have purchased from him and he has quite an assortment
of gas engine parts remade and available as well as valves, rings,
springs, oilers, grease cups, etc. Especially carburetor parts,
etc. for McD., JD, FM, Maytag.
That’s all for now. Keep up the good work. We appreciate
it!’
This note comes from JON FEICHT, 4765 Lone Valley Drive, Rancho
Palos Verdes, California 90274: ‘I have recently acquired an
International Famous 4 HP upright pumping engine. I need a good
picture of a complete unit, since mine is missing quite a few parts
(see Want Ads). I also need information on striping, decals,
etc.’
A letter comes from DeGARMAS NATURE PRODUCTS, Route 1, Box 266,
Worthington, West Virginia 26591 (FRANK A. DeGARMAS). ‘I would
like to know the original colors of the two following gas
engines-Unito ? HP type N, Shop No. 13781 mfg. by The United
Factory Co., Cleveland, Ohio. And Alamo Blue Line, 6 HP Type A
#21773 built by Alamo Mfg. Co., Hillsdale, Michigan.’ (Please
write if you can help Frank.)
PAUL W. CRANDALL (no address with this, but read on) would like
us to know: ‘Just a few lines to say how great your magazine
is. I enjoy it very much. My son-in-law reads them when I’ve
finished. He has just purchased a Shaw-Do all tractor and is
interested in corresponding with anyone through your Smoke Rings
column. It would really be a surprise to him. Thanks again for
publishing such a great magazine.’ (Thanks to you Paul,
we’re glad you like it and here’s hoping your son-in-law
gets some letters-mail to JIM HANSEL, RR 1, Box 67, Beecher,
Illinois 60401.)
Hey-out there-anybody in the area of Brook, Indiana and
surrounding territory interested in getting together a small model
engine gas-up? Write BRUCE ERVIN, Route 2, Box 119, Brook, Indiana
47922. He will appreciate hearing from you interested folks. But
hurry, with those letters-seems like there are some people already
interested and would like to have a first show as soon as
possible.
ARNOLD H. ODEGAARD, Y5206 18th Ave., West, Lynnwood, Washington
98036 would very much enjoy hearing from someone that has a Model
EL Gibson tractor, 14 HP. And comments Arnold, ‘Your magazine
is most enjoyable.’ (Thanks and we’re happy that most of
our subscribers feel that way.)
A call for HELP from NORMAN NYHOF, Route 1, Oostburg, Wisconsin
53070: ‘I need help from your readers. Recently, I acquired a
small one cylinder gas engine with coil and igniter ignition,
15?’ flywheels with 15/8‘ face,
3?’ bore and a 4′ stroke. It also has a removable water
hopper cover. There is no name on it or any clue for
identification. Can anyone out there tell me what make it is-from
the enclosed picture? Also what the original color might have been?
Any help will be appreciated-and I am a regular subscriber to your
magazine.’
Two photos come from JIM HICKEY, 1333 El Rey Ave., El Cajon,
California 92021 and he says: ‘The photos are of a 6 HP Meco.
Meco stands for Manufacturers Engine Company. The design is very
similar to the Witte engine. Bore and stroke is 6′ x 8′,
the serial number is A1549. This engine, like the Witte was
manufactured in Kansas City, Missouri. Note the unusual exhaust
system which preheated air to the carburetor.’
