Hi Dear Gas Engine Family Members! Here it is-show time again!
And, we have much material so I won’t take a lot of your time
with small talk-on to better things:
First, in March-April issue on page 17 there was a story written
by BOB KILBARGER and his wife, Verna. It was called Phoney Baloney
and was quite different. You were to find as many engines as you
could in the story-some were very easily found-others were not
quite so easy to detect. Following is the list of 35 engines
included in the story: John Deere, International, Charter, Edwards,
Economy, Banner, Majestic, Wonder, Jumbo, Challenge, Friend,
Taylor, Maytag, Westinghouse, Wisconsin, Alamo, Hercules, Larson,
Little, Sandwich, Monitor, Empire, Hogg, Bull Dog, Tom Thumb,
.Lazier, Fuller Johnson, Witte, New Way, Clay, United, Domestic,
Ideal, Joy, and Associated. How did you make out?? Wasn’t it
fun? Maybe sometime another story could be written-how about it? I
know there is a lot more than 35 engines.
Beginning with a short letter, RICHARD KOUBA, Regent, North
Dakota 58650 writes: ‘I really enjoy the Gas Engine Magazine. I
have recently discovered a Witte diesel power plant with a serial
number of D14117. It is a 12 HP and the generator is 7200G19. Can
anyone help identify the age or furnish me an address of the Witte
Company? Any help will be greatly appreciated.’
‘I am fairly new at restoring gasoline engines and would
like a little help from some of the veterans. In my small
collection I have a 1? HP John Deere 1923 vintage with open
crankcase. I have also recently acquired a 6 HP Worthington
kerosene engine #34064. It is missing some parts-see Want Ads. I
would also like to know if this is a rare engine as I hear little
about them in GEM or at Meets. All help will be greatly appreciated
and all letters will be answered,’ says GREG PREVIS, Route 1,
Box 308, King William, Virginia 23086.
‘I have a question for your Smoke Rings department-could you
possibly pass it along? asks JIM HARRINGTON, Route 1, Box 147,
Sweet Springs, Missouri 65351.
‘I own a 1930 Farmall Regular and would like to get it back
to its original color. I think it’s supposed to be gray, but
would like to know the name of the color and where it might be
available. Likewise with the color of the wheels. I can buy a set
of decals locally, but am not sure exactly where all of them should
be placed. Any information would be appreciated. I look forward to
receiving GEM. Thank you.’
‘I am hoping someone out there can help me out. I am
restoring a Centaur tractor, serial #737263 KVW. I would like to
know the year of this tractor, production figures, colors or any
information would be helpful. I am rebuilding the engine. Our
tractor is the unstyled model and we were lucky enough to get the
plows and cultivators when we bought it.’ (If you can help
ARNOLD GARLITZ, RR. 1, Box 101-A, Lonaconing, Maryland 21539,
please let him hear from you.)
It seems every issue I must caution you all about sending items
you want to be mentioned in the column. I cannot ask for parts you
have missing or books or manuals, etc. These items must go through
the Classified Ads. Many people find what they want through our ad
section. This is why, many times if you read your letter and find I
did not print everything in it-I must delete any items listed that
could be bought, and I do try and write many of you, but it is too
much to write a letter to each person and tell them this. That is
why I mention this subject so often. I know if you think about it,
you will understand. So try our ads and many of you will get your
items you are seeking.
DON BIEWER, Route 1, Barnesville, Minnesota 56514 wants to thank
all the guys that answered his call for help on his Massey 21
combine. Now, he is restoring an Emerson Bringham (or do you mean
Brantingham?) model AA tractor, serial #31293. He would like to
correspond with someone that knows something about them. He claims
no one in his part of the country has ever seen one. He’ll
appreciate hearing from you.
‘Anybody out there in Engineland -Can you give me dimensions
for the connecting rod and piston for a Lincoln light plant, 32
volt-1000 watt, 2 cycle? I would appreciate it very much.’ says
BRIAN HOLTZLEITER, 11815 E. 850 S. 27th, Hartford City, Indiana
47348.
LESTER WILLIS, Route 2, Box 159, California, Missouri 65018
would like some company as he invites you to visit: ‘I have
been a GEM subscriber for several years and this is the first I
have written to you. I had a stroke about three years ago which
forced me into retirement. I have a few engines and I enjoy
company, so if any of you fellows out there are ever in this area,
please stop and we’ll visit and enjoy engine talk. See my ad
under Wanted.’
A newcomer to this hobby is BRUCE LEWELLYN, Bruce’s Auto
Service, 8042 23rd Street, Westminster, California 92683: ‘I
need any information I can get on an Economy 1? HP engine, serial
#162482. It has a 3? bore and 5′ stroke. It is equipped with
18′ flywheels and a Webster Tri-Polar Oscillator igniter. I am
new and this is my first engine. Would like to restore this engine
and am eager to learn as soon as possible.’ (Help him get
started, guys.)
‘This is a picture of Number 178 Coleman tractor made in
Kansas City. I would like to know if anyone could tell me when it
was made and what color it was painted. Also were there many built?
Any letters will be welcome.’ says JAMES T. CLUCK, Route 5, Box
220, Claremore, Oklahoma 74017.
We are hearing from more and more younger enthusiasts these days
and that makes us very happy. It’s great when a hobby can be
shared in the family and passed on down to the younger generation.
This writing comes from BILL STEELE, 683 Vernon Street, Manchester,
Connecticut 06040 and he says: ‘I am 17 years old and have been
collecting old engines and tractors for almost two years now. I
used to collect old bottles, but when I saw my first one lunger at
a car show, I quickly changed my interests. I sort of fell into
collecting 2 cycle engines, so I am interested in knowing something
of the history of them.
I also have a few engines I have questions about. First is a 4
HP 2 cycle Vaughan drag saw, serial #3315 which I need to know the
age and what the stenciling was on the tanks and the wooden frame.
Next, I need the age of a 2 cycle air-cooled Fairmont with a single
flywheel and a Maytag type mag on the other end of the crankshaft.
Also need the age of a 2 HP Bates and Edmonds Bulldog, serial
#B37104.
The last is a large 4 cylinder Novo, Model EF-4? x 6 bore and
stroke, serial #2803. It has 22′ flywheels, large overhead
valves and the cylinders are cast in pairs. Novo also made a 2
cylinder engine like this with one pair of cylinders and a 6
cylinder engine with three pairs of cylinders. This engine used to
power a Fahrquar portable sawmill run by my grandfather and my
father. My grandfather never liked the engine because it didn’t
have a clutch, so when he cranked the engine, he would also turn
the whole sawmill. I need to know the age, how the pulley is
attached to the flywheel and any other data on this engine. I am
also looking for a formula for calculating horsepower. Would
appreciate it.’
GEORGE N. WHISTON, 508 N. Range Street, Oblong, Illinois 62449
has a 1? HP Rock Island, serial #A9 2633 made by the Rock Island
Plow Co. He would like to know the style and kind of magneto this
engine takes. Would also like to know what this mag fits. Wico Type
C 12630, serial #28424. It turns counter clockwise.
This notice comes from VERN TIETZ, 966 Post Lane, Clarkston,
Washington 99403 and he tells us: ‘I recently acquired a
disassembled 25 HP Superior. Nearly half of the 1’ diameter
studs holding the head on were broken off flush with the cylinder.
Also the remaining studs need to be removed and replaced. I would
sure appreciate hearing from anyone who may have a suggestion on
how to get them out. The broken studs and remaining ones seem to be
very tight.
I am also restoring a 1? HP air cooled Galloway. It is missing
some parts-see Want Ads. I’ll probably have to make some of
these parts and would like to hear from anyone who could tell me
where they are located on the engine and the dimensions.’
JOHN A. VIALARD, 10273 East 12th Road, Argos, Indiana 46501
hopes to start restoring his Ottawa cog saw and would like to
correspond with other owners of early models of Ottawa’s having
two flywheels, the nameplate is missing. It has a 4′ bore and
5′ stroke with 17′ flywheels. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.’
While you are answering some of these letters, perhaps you could
help JAMES REIMSCHIISSEL, RFD 2, Box 359, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
as he states: ‘In response to the article in Jan.-Feb. 1982
GEM, another Big 4 Thirty tractor is located at the Historical Farm
Associated with Utah State University at Logan, Utah. In talking
with Svend Johansen, the curator there, two years ago I learned the
tractor came from the Tremonton, Utah area, over the mountains to
the west of Logan. The tractor was donated to the museum after they
learned of it setting in a grove of trees.
So, Blaine, if you want the serial number for your records you
will need to write Svend Johansen, Man and His Bread Museum, Ronald
V. Jenson Living Historical Farm, U M C 30, Logan, Utah 84332.
As long as I am writing, does anyone know of someone building a
self-propelled threshing machine or some similar contrivance? A
year ago a family in Springville, Utah gave me what I have dubbed a
self-propelled threshing machine built by their father, Brigham
Liechty, a local blacksmith and farmer. Sometime in the early 30s
he got tired of his old horsepower thresher, a Wood Brothers steel
machine. Before the next season he had welded a Studebaker 6
touring car, the front half, under the feeder and a truck rear axle
under the thresher. With a belt pulley between two transmissions he
could drive the thresher through a 90° gear box as well as travel
over the road. If you know of, or have heard of any similar
machines, please let me have the information on them. I would like
to use that data along with the history of my machine as part of an
article in the future. Along this line, does anyone have pictures
of a horsepower gear box for a Wood Brothers thresher? I am not
sure Brighams is factory.’
A new writer, but not new to the GEM, CARROLL L. PEDERSON, 28918
44th PI. So., Auburn, Washington 98002 seeks the help of our
readers: ‘I have a small one cylinder upright water-cooled 2
cycle engine, no nameplate but has serial #43314 stamped on it. It
has the name Ferro cast in the back side of the cylinder casting
and also cast in the crankshaft housing on the left side just
behind the flywheel, which is 13′ diameter with a 3?’ face.
The governor is internally housed on the right side of the
crankshaft between the flywheel and cylinder. The governor operates
a linkage that attaches to a sliding valve affair in the intake
manifold. The ignition points and cam are on the back of the
engine. I would like to hear someone who might have one, or could
give me the information I need to get it restored and running.
I really enjoy getting my GEM and reading it from cover to
cover. You folks are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!’
(Thanks Carroll, and we are glad you found a reason to write-hope
you get some data that you are seeking.)
Another satisfied customer sends us this letter: ‘To start
off with, let me compliment you and your staff on a very fine
magazine. I am like most of your subscribers who read each issue
cover to cover several times over.
I went to Crafton, Ohio to attend Ross Ritchey’s Auction and
was able to purchase a 1? HP Fairbanks Morse and a 4 HP Ottawa drag
saw. I am hoping some of your readers out there in Engineland can
help me out on the drag saw, such as years of manufacture, price of
same, and what paint I can purchase that will be close to original.
All letters answered and information greatly appreciated. See Want
Ads. If you can help me write GARY BROWN, 2676 Carpenter Road,
Lapeer, Michigan 48446.’
GORDON AEBIG, 312 Maple Street, Shelby, Michigan 49455 encloses
a picture of his 1936 Co-op Orchard tractor. It has a four cylinder
Waukesha engine and truck type transmission and rear end. These
tractors were used on fruit farms and also took the place of a
truck on the road. This tractor has top speeds of 20 to 25 mph.
There was also a larger size built with a six cylinder Chrysler
engine. These tractors were built in Battle Creek, Michigan for
about three years 1936-37-38. I don’t know how many were built
or how many were left. Would like to hear from some
owners.’
An enthusiastic member sends this writing: ‘I have recently
found a Sylvester, Lindsay, Ontario engine made probably in the
1920s and sold exclusively to the railroad primarily in Canada to
pump water into the towers for the steamers. I would like to get an
idea just how many are still intact, as I feel that in the 60s when
steam was phased out, most of these engines must have been
scrapped. This engine weighs about a ton and a half, but I
haven’t weighed it officially to tell if it is a 6, 8 or 10 HP.
It is unusual because there is only one flywheel and on the left
side is a gear. The pump is built on the left side of the engine
and the surge tank is where the Sylvester name is cast in. The pump
unit looks like the engine part of a traction engine. If anyone out
there has, or has seen one of these, please write me a note. Also I
would like to say that for anyone out there who has people tell
them they must be crazy to participate in our great hobby-one look
at the cover picture from Jan./Feb. GEM tells the whole story. That
Galloway and its model are positively beautiful to behold and that
is the name of the game. Let those smoke rings blow!’ says PAUL
NOAKE, 268 Grenfell Cr., Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.
A note comes from PAUL E. JONES, Leslieville, Alberta, Canada
and also a picture: ‘Last year the day after our show, a man
from California showed me the contraption on the picture. He asked
me if I knew what it was. It is still a head-scratcher to me. He
didn’t know what it was, so I took this picture and am hoping
that some one in good old Smoke Rings can identify it.
On the picture, numbers 1, 2 and 3 are rings forge welded to the
frame. Number 4, there are two swivel rings or eye bolts loosely
bolted to the frame.’ (Surely doesn’t look like much to me,
how about you veterans-I’ll betcha you have some ideas.)
We hear from SIDNEY E. ANDERSON, Star Route Box 155, Babbitt,
Minnesota 55706 and he writes: ‘I have a John Smythe 2? HP gas
engine dated 12-13-13 cast in the frame below one flywheel.
Restored and running perfectly. I would like to find if it is rare.
I also have about a 10 HP inboard two cycle engine with shaft, coil
9 volt, 2 props, one brass and one cast iron. Made by Pearce Engine
Company, Racine, Wisconsin restored it and runs perfectly. It has
either forward or reverse and uses a hand crank to start. Weighs
about 70 pounds.’ (Is it rare, fellows. I don’t know.
I’ve heard this name before but not real often.)
SAM MENDENHOLL, 7588 W. 38th Street, Greenfield, Indiana 46140,
phone 317-894-3089 is hoping to get some help from Smoke Rings. He
states: ‘Help me locate the owner of an Aeromotor that was on
display at the gas engine show near Geneseo, Illinois last
September. The engine was not of an 8 cycle or the fluted type. It
was red in color on trucks and was approximately three feet high. I
talked with the lady showing it, but did not get her name. If any
readers know of this engine or the owner please correspond.’
(Hope someone can help you Sam, you never know, this column comes
up with some pretty good answers.) ‘I have recently purchased a
6 HP Bessemer engine. It is a 2 cycle upright. It seems to be very
rare, in this area anyway. It was stuck and I am restoring it like
new again. I need to know what kind of cooling tower or tank or
whatever it had. Also what color shall I paint it? Any help will be
greatly appreciated.’ (If you can answer these questions,
please write FRANCIS PRITZKAU, 1025 Holcomb Avenue, Rapid City,
South Dakota 57701.)
‘I’m a novice engine collector and get a thrill out of
restoring old engines,’ writes DAVE PETERSON, 11 Sedgwick Park,
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801. ‘I recently purchased a Lansing
engine- Lansing, Michigan, #106447. The horsepower was not stamped
on a tag, but I figure it somewhere around 2-3 HP. Flywheels are
20’ diameter. It also has a Wico EK mag for hit or miss
operation. I would appreciate if someone out there can tell me age,
manufacturing dates and scarcity for this maker. Engine is
hopper-cooled.
Also, has anyone ever heard of engines from the Taplin Company
in West Springfield, Massachusetts?’ (Any help, fellows?)
THOMAS C. WITTENBRAKER, 122 Posey Street, Newburgh, Indiana
47630 is a new subscriber and is new to restoring gas engines. He
has a Fairbanks Morse 3 HP, 800 rpm, Style C self-oiling engine.
That is all the information he has on the engine and would like to
know the year it was made and would appreciate any help you could
give him.
‘I enjoy every issue of GEM and read them from cover to
cover several times. I learn from every issue. Your magazine is the
greatest!’ This exhortation comes from HARRY COOK, 504 Walton
Street, Wilson, North Carolina 27893.
‘I have found a small pair of flywheels off of an early one
lunger. I found them in an old junkyard. The flywheels are in good
shape but the engine was scrapped years ago. I would like to
identify these flywheels if anyone could help. The dimensions are
18′ wide and 1-11/16′ thick, 1?’ shaft hole, six
spokes. There is a number 1142 on both flywheels. There is the mark
on one flywheel face. These are very heavy wheels with no balance
holes drilled. The color appears to have been dark green. I am very
interested in what engine they fit. All letters will be answered.
Please help!’
F. L. WILLIAMS, Overland Park, Kansas 66212,9226 Hayes Drive
just sends a line for such a wonderful magazine and to pass on a
little tip for all the people in engine world. – ‘I have found
that if you soak rusty engine parts in vinegar and washing machine
soap detergent that the rust will brush off very easily. I use
about a gallon to a wash tub full of water. You must give it a few
days to work. Thank you for all the hours of interesting
reading.’
HOMER D. RUFENER, Route 2, Box 157, Sardis, Ohio 43946 sends
this: ‘I would like to hear from people that have Reid engines
and their experiences with them. I also need some help on my
engine. Does anyone out there have dimensions on the hot tube
igniters for these? There are some parts missing and I don’t
know if they will be easily obtained. (You’ll have to run an ad
in our Want Ads Homer, and maybe you’ll get your parts.)
Another thing that I would like to know about is whether anyone
has ever seen a Pattin engine that has an outboard mounted high
pressure liquid pump. The one that I am working on has this on it
and I have never seen anything in this arrangement before. The
engine itself is a 12 HP engine like most of the other engines that
I have seen, built much like the Bessemer engines. The pump mounts
on the right side of the engine cylinder, looking from the rear.
The base of the engine is extended to the rear so that a large gear
and crank can be placed. On the left side of the engine there is a
small gear with an outside shoe clutch much like the ones on the
large oil field engines.
The last thing that I wish to see how goes, is I have planned to
try to compile a list of all the Reid engines that are in the hands
of engine collectors and even the ones that still set out. I would
appreciate any information that would be useful in this list.
Serial numbers, horsepower, the way the cylinders are placed, how
the pulley is attached, and etc. At some future date I may be able
to publish this list-depending on how things go at this end of the
line!’
DANNE MOORE, RFD 2, Windsor, Vermont 05089 has been collecting
engines for only six months and has acquired 7 of them. He is 17
years old and considers this an important investment. His most
recent engine is a 2? HP vertical F.M. Eclipse and he would like to
know what the original gas tank looked like and its position. Also
the age-serial #812531. If you know the age of his 2 HP Sandwich
#A31280; 3 HP Simplicity #JJ11071 and 6 HP McCormick Deering
#W4528, he would appreciate that information, too.
CLARENCE SNYDER, 1305 3rd Street, N.W., Independence, Iowa 50644
has this information for the ones that have Associated
hopper-cooled Hired Man 2?’ and three Mule Team gas engines as
to the paint color and pin stripes. I am enclosing pictures of each
Parent Company Associated Manufacturing Co. Waterloo, Iowa. These
engines were machined assembled tested here in Independence, Iowa.
The building now is occupied by a lumber yard, grain buying office
elevator.
I have been reading GEM for a long time and get a lot of
information from it. I have about 40 different small engines. I am
glad to hear from GEM readers any time.’
BILL SCHINDLER, 237 W. Jackson, Monroe, Indiana 46772 needs
information on the Johnson Iron Horse 4 cycle gas engine, as
horsepower, when they were made, color scheme, mechanical
information, etc. He will appreciate any help.
H. W. KEATHLEY, 5146 Redbridge Drive, Boise, Idaho 85703 tells
you: ‘I am hoping someone out there in Engine land can help me.
I have several old pieces of iron, but one in particular, a Frisco
Standard Marine engine. I found it in the Delta area of Stockton,
California and have it about restored, but the intake manifold has
me baffled. It seems to have a shut-down valve above the
carburetor. The back side of the housing for this valve had
something on either side but these are broken off and I would like
to know what they were and what they looked like. Help will be
appreciated.’
ROY D. HOLLER, 3838 So. 80th Street, Franksville, Wisconsin
53126 is in need of data on two tractors which he is restoring. He
would like to know the proper paint colors for a 1930 4-wheel drive
Massey Harris. Also the colors for a Chrysler Love tractor, of the
1950s. (Never heard of the Love tractor-anybody out there know what
that means?)
‘I have a Novo 2 HP, serial #19950. It is an upright and is
in excellent condition. I would like to know if anyone out there
can tell me the year it was built. It is one with the rectangular
nameplate rather than an oval one and it is a 600 rpm model engine.
Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks!’ STEVE P. FRASL,
Route 3, Box 336, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401, phone 218-829-0841.
(If you can help Steve, please let him get your letter.)
‘We have subscribed to GEM for 1? years and thoroughly enjoy
it, can’t wait until it gets here,’ says JERRY MANDT,
Northwood, North Dakota 58267, phone 701-587-5355. ‘I would
like some information on a Jacobson Jr. lawnmower which we have,
vintage is 20s or 30s. It is a conventional reel type with two
steel drive wheels and a wood roller behind the reel. The engine is
upright, air-cooled, one flywheel with mag and fan blades with a
shroud over it to direct the air flow. The other flywheel is heavy
and drives two cone type clutches, one for the reel and one for the
ground drive. It has an automatic intake valve and a push rod and
rocker arm for the exhaust. This mower is complete and in running
condition. Would appreciate hearing from anyone as to information
on this unit, year of manufacture, original colors, where made,
etc.’
Two pictures with explanation will probably be of interest to
many of you. Read on: ‘In the March-April issue of GEM one of
the subscribers named Howard Pruit of Gladstone, Illinois issued a
plea on page 13 for help in finding out how to get oil into the
valve chamber of a Fordson tractor. The two photos will illustrate
how this is accomplished.
First photo illustrates how a fixture is mounted to the back of
the block in preparation for drilling with a 5/8′ drill. shows
with a white pointer the location of the 5/8′ hole after it is
drilled. In addition, that gloved hand is holding a copper tubing
sleeve which must be inserted in the block after the hold is
drilled.
Rather than take up a great deal of space explaining how this is
done, anyone wishing to learn more about this may contact me.
(Perhaps it would be worthwhile to send us the whole explanation.
Perhaps we should use it sometime to help many.) This writing comes
from BILL JERGOVICH, Drayton Plains, Michigan 48020.
313-673-8935.
Enclosed find picture of my 1920 Samson tractor, serial #17599.
The tractor was purchased near Marquette, Michigan in 1978. It was
an ad in your magazine. I bought it over the phone and hauled it
home, 900 miles with 3/4 ton pick-up. I got the tractor running and
painted the summer of 1980. I have driven it in several antique
machinery show parades. Also hauled it on a trailer in several
local parades. I’ve been to many shows and never saw a Samson
tractor. I would like to hear from anyone who has a Samson
running.’ (How about it? Anyone else out there have one, or is
this really rare?) If you have one, write RANDALL KNIPMEYER, 1304
Main, Higginsville, Missouri 64037.
From across the waters, we have this letter from IAN GIBSON,
Saintoft Grange, Pickering, Your-shire, Y0188QQ England: ‘I am
a recent subscriber to Gas Engines. I have received my fourth issue
and my only regret is that I did not start subscribing to it ten
years ago when I first got interested in old iron.
Can any GEM readers help me? I am in possession of a Massey
Harris 6 HP stationary engine, type 2, shop #6K2213, single
cylinder, horizontal, hopper-cooled, sparkplug ignition. Would like
to know the age, how many were made and the make and type of
magneto. Massey Harris engines appear to be very thin on the ground
over here and I know of only one other 6 HP in the South Coast
area. I would like to correspond with any American vintage
enthusiasts. I like steam engines, tractors, old farm machines,
engines, and trucks. I collect cast iron seats and nameplates.’
(I’m sure Ian will be hoping to hear from you-he also is
interested in corresponding with folks who like literature on many
of these old machines.)
A letter comes from TOM LIVINGSTON, Box 423, Fortuna, California
95540, phone 707-725-3177. He is interested in any information on
early steam engines, brass frames, the kind that was used in small
steam buggies. He has two of this type engine, serial numbers 957
and 968. He would be happy to know what year they were manufactured
and who made them. Thought some of you auto buffs might be able to
help.’
ORVIL SCHOENAUER, Brunswick, Nebraska 68720 has a Rock Island
Model FA 18-35 made in 1929. He said a few years ago it took a week
to straighten fenders and clean and paint it after getting a
pamphlet from tractor testing station. He also has a McCormick
Deering 1? HP and an International 1? to 2 HP. I suppose he would
like to hear from other owners of the same engines.
‘I restore gasoline engines and would like to hear from
someone who has a 1 HP Eclipse and can give me the dimensions on
the original battery box and the coil. Also have a 2? HP United and
want to determine if the mixer is original.
I look forward to each new issue of GEM. It has provided me with
a lot of good information and contacts.’ Write to DON
OBERHALTZER, 603 S. Main, Columbiana, Ohio 44408.
‘I thought it was about time for me to write and thank the
fellows who helped me with this engine. If it weren’t for them
and your great magazine I think I would still be working on it. The
engine is a Dempster 6 HP, 2 cycle and the only one I know of in
existence. It was patented Oct. 11,1898 by Lincoln H. Millen,
serial #411. It set in a pasture for over 50 years rusting so all
the parts had to be rebuilt or replaced. The piston was completely
missing and I wrote to the U.S. Patent Dept. and got a copy of the
original patent. With these papers and the help of a good
machinist, we built a piston as near to the original as possible
and it worked very well.
I have talked to many engine collectors from other states and no
one has ever seen another like it. The engine has a crosshead and a
packing gland behind the cylinder very similar to a steam engine. A
belt driven flyball governor controls a fuel intake valve in the
back of the cylinder where the fuel is drawn in on the forward
stroke and compressed on the backstroke. The compressed fuel passes
through ports in the bottom of the cylinder and piston which line
up on the bottom dead center of the stroke. The fuel is compressed
on the forward stroke and fires with an igniter. If there is anyone
out there in Engine land that has an engine like this one, I sure
would like to know about it.’
This letter comes from DONALD R. DUFFEY, 802 Bridge Street,
Sweet Springs, Missouri 65351.
A newcomer with lots of questions comes from JOHN F.
KROPEWNICKI, 18 Sunnyside Lane, Somerville, New Jersey 08876:
‘Have enjoyed GEM since I first picked up a copy at a show in
Bangor, PA. I am new at this sport and as can be expected have many
questions.
I purchased an Eveready table saw by Oskhash Mfg. Company, model
#2822 (picture enclosed). The information passed on to me was the
saw came from the shipyards of New York. I would like information
as to color of saw and engine, year manufactured, how many built
land starting technique.
The table top is 43′ x 42′ in area and standing 44′
high. Sliding wood guides are marked ABC23, ABC6 and others. One
end of the saw has a disc sander with its own adjustable table. The
other end has a saw. Between the two is a joint-planer. To power
these three items is a 3 HP Fuller Johnson engine #72365 operating
at 475 rpm. It has a 19′ power wheel on one side and a 22′
flywheel on the other. The mag is a low tension type,
Splitdorf type 30, with the numbers 2365N stamped on it. Need
help from the experts on lathe mag. My meter reads an output of 25
volts at engine speed using a battery and coil. Understand I need
at least 100 volts. Is this true? What is the alignment with
markings on the timing gear, mag and flywheel?
I have another Fuller Johnson #174776 2 HP at 600 rpm model (NC)
with a Wico mag. I am looking for the year, color and decal.
I am getting ready to sandblast a Standard Walsh Garden Tractor
#408D2244 made by Standard Engine Company. It has iron handles with
wooden grips. The wheels are 26′ in diameter having small
pyramids on its surface for traction. Carburetor is by Zenith,
electrical by battery and coil. Looking for color, year and
horsepower.
Found what looks to be an earlier Standard tractor. This has
32′ wheels, Zenith carb. marked 7138 and wooden handles. Left
grip is rounded and may have been for throttle. Only other markings
is casting #4001 on left side of engine block. Again year,
coloring, and markings please.
I have many more questions, but thought it best to give someone
else time. You’ll be hearing from me again. Hope to hear from
others out there in Engine land. Thanks for a terrific
magazine.’
‘I have a Roberts & Hamilton 7 HP engine with very faded
paint. I know this engine was gray but the hopper has outline, very
faded, of a decal of some sort. Does anyone know what this was?
Also was there any striping or other trim?
What is the proper magneto and carburetor models on a Model
D600, 2 cylinder Alpha Delaal milker engine?
And does anyone have any idea as to how to remove the exhaust
valve cage from a Cushman model X, #21 engine? It is a pipe plug
type cage and heating and impact does no good. Thank you.’
(Many questions to answers fellas. Please see if you can help
ROBERT LORAH, Hillsboro, North Dakota 58045.)
ED PROSS, Baseline Road, Boulder, Colorado 80303 is restoring a
6 HP Stover Jr. and a 12 HP Economy and would like to correspond
with someone with similar engines.
Speaking on another subject besides a specific engine comes this
information from JOHN J. LEVORA, Route 2, Box 240, Bangor, Michigan
49013: ‘I have noticed many requests for company histories. A
letter to the town of where the equipment was made can be addressed
to the Chamber of Commerce, local newspaper, or head librarian with
the information required listed with a SASE. Most of the newspapers
have old files and most of the libraries have some sort of local
history. Many of the companies have changed owners and names and
still are around.
If anyone wants Novo Engine Company address I will supply it, if
you SASE.’
ANDY QUIGLEY, R.R. 1, Box 70 B, Fox Hill Road, Pomfret Center,
Connecticut 06259 sends a picture and this letter: ‘I own a
horizontal air-cooled engine. The brass I.D. plate on the
crankshaft cover reads Frisbie Motor, The Frisbie Motor Company,
Middletown, Conn., serial #G175. There are no other numbers on any
of the castings. The intake and exhaust valves face each other in a
chamber on the side of a headless cylinder. The gas tank is part of
the main casting. Governor is hit and miss type. Ignition is buzz
coil with spark plug. Flywheels are 16′ x 23/8′, bore
4′, stroke 4?’. Main bearings have wick oilers. I would
like very much to find out what year this engine was made and the
original color. Thank you.’
Someone else is calling for help as he claims: ‘I take the
GEM which I enjoy very much. I bought a water-cooled gas engine
awhile ago and wonder if some engine collector could help me. There
is a number on cylinder head T10 and crankcase is T3, connecting
rod is 3K6. It is 3? x 5 in bore and stroke. No engine number and
plate magneto is missing, but use buzz coil and battery. It is open
crank, hit and miss. Converted to sparkplug as magneto was missing.
It is in very good running condition, has some traces of green
paint. I hope someone can tell me how old it is and the make. I
have 18 old gas engines and all in good running order. I enjoy the
old engine shows very much.’ (If you can help ORWALD HILMOE,
215 S. Buchanan, Pierre, South Dakota 57501, please write to
him.)
HENRY SCHAFER, 216 Colby, Granville, Illinois 61326 sends this
message: ‘I have an old engine and I’m looking for some
information. They were cleaning out an old engine house for a
railroad getting ready to move to a larger place. A friend who has
worked there since 1946 told me it was setting in a corner ever
since he started working there and he knew I was interested in
restoring old gas engines. He told me if I wanted it I could come
and get it, otherwise it was going for junk. We went and got it and
it was in fairly good shape. I cleaned it up and found it
wasn’t rusted tight in any place. The only identification is
Mudge Company that is molded in the crankcase and on the radiator
cap it says Mudge. It is a two cycle and buzz coil ignition. No
governor, it is hand-throttled. Flywheels are 20′ x 1?’. If
anyone knows anything, I would like to hear from them.’
JIM RUSH, 17617, RT 76, Poplar Grove, Illinois 61065 writes:
‘I wonder if anyone out in Engine land can help me. I have an
Int. 8-16, serial #3008 that I fell in love with on first sight. It
had a cracked block, no hood, rear wheel without bearings and
piston stuck tighter than a drum. After years of cleaning, scraping
and soaking, I am starting to show some progress. Being a sheet
metal worker by trade, I was able to fabricate a new hood, radiator
housing and fenders. I have a primer coat on all my cleaned parts,
but need some information on original color and placement of
lettering or decals. I would be interested in corresponding with
anyone having knowledge on the 8-16. Thank you for any
help.’
‘Just a note regarding Tom Pearson’s article in the
March-April GEM on his rare 1? HP model 21 Cushman engine. I have
an identical engine as Tom’s and the serial number is 185. Runs
like a champ. I wrote Tom a note also so he knows there is another
Cushman owner,’ says GEORGE MASSINGER, c/o First State Bank,
P.O. Box S, Aloha, Oregon 97006.
A letter to Smoke Rings tells us: ‘This section of your
magazine helps many readers a lot. I just acquired a John Deere
‘W’ power unit, serial #2344XX with the old style brass
carburetor and a John Deere magneto. The flywheel was replaced so
could it be a spoker flywheel type? I need a list of serial numbers
and years for the ‘W’ and ‘LUC’ power units. Any
help would be appreciated.’ (Write WAYNE REED, 1306 Kirkwood
Hwy., Wilmington, Delaware 19805.)
Seeking advice concerning his 3 HP McCormick-Deering engine, we
have this letter from RICHARD FENLEY, 110 F Street, Port Townsend,
Washington 98368: ‘The engine has an extremely worn intake
valve guide which is apparently why it won’t run very well. My
local auto parts machine shop can’t handle the cylinder head to
fix it like an auto engine head. HELP! How can I get a new valve
guide fitted?’ (I don’t know, where does he go fellas?)
LARREY DODD, 2182 E. Concorda Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85282 has a
reason for writing us as he tells: ‘Recently I acquired an
engine that no one can tell me about. At a glance, it looks just
like an upright Cushman. But looking closer there are some minor
changes. The centrifugal governor is a little different and the
water outlet is positioned differently. The centrifugal water pump
is on the opposite side from a Cushman upright. It is powered by a
buzz coil. The brass nameplate states that it was manufactured by
Fairfield Engine Company, Fairfield, Iowa. It carries a low serial
number of 034 and is rated at 4? horsepower. The brass carburetor
is a Carter with a patent date of Dec. 22, ’14, so I believe
this engine was built before 1920. Can anyone tell me about this
engine or the manufacturer?
Larrey tells us the Arizona Early Gas Engine & Tractor club
is getting bigger and busier all the time. They recently set up for
an Automobile Hobby Council Swap Meet in Mesa, and two days later
set up again for the Maricopa County Fair. Nice to hear of the
progress.’
Another painter awaits the proper color for his engine, read on:
‘I have only been working with gas engines for a few years but
my collection is growing. This winter I worked on several more but
I would like to know the original color information of my 1? HP
Witte, serial #B40775. It was dark blue-green and I would like the
paint code number or mixing instructions to match the original
color. In trade, I can offer some information on the paint for the
International McCormick Deering engines. The dark green color name
is Adirondack Green and the International Harvester Company told me
the color code is 501 and the DuPont code is 93-84155.’
If you can help this enthusiast with numbers or mixing
instructions, please write CLIFFORD WETMORE, 2184 N. Rosewood Lane,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55113.
A short letter brings some questions from KEVIN BEHNKE, 1106
Prospect Avenue, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401 as he says: ‘First, I
would like to say I enjoy GEM immensely. I read it cover to cover.
I need some information. I have a John Deere type E 1? HP engine
with igniter, serial #332798. The cylinder head assembly appears to
be painted orange. Does anyone have one like it? All those I have
seen were painted all green. Could this be a special model or a
demo?
I would also like to know the year of the engine. I would
appreciate any information anyone might have.
Before closing I want to extend sympathies to the family and
friends of Pauline Schaefer who died March 9, 1982.
Many of you will remember Mrs. Schaefer as our representative at
many of the shows for quite a number of years (see obituary).
Pauline was an interesting person and a joy to know. She also
did a terrific job of selling our magazines and books. She
thoroughly enjoyed it! I am sure many of you had more than one chat
with her. She will be greatly missed at the forthcoming shows.
And that about winds it up for this time except for a few
quotes-who knows how many folks might just be needing one of these
wise writings? – -If you wish to be loved, love! – – The devil has
to work hard for what he gets in the home of a praying mother. –
-The high cost of living is nothing compared to the high cost of
sinning.- -If you are not as close to God as you once were, you
need not wonder who it is who moved. – -and that ends it for this
time, my wonderful friends – Have fun at the reunions and remember
to share the little good things that happen with us too.
