It’s that time of year when your step gets brisker as the
tingle in the air bites one’s nose and the wonderful smell! of
autumn enters the body and spirits -really, it’s a wonderful
feeling. Makes you feel real peppy which we mothers need now with
school activities, Hallo we’en soon coming up and the big
Holidays ahead. I said it makes you feel real peppy (I didn’t
say for how long–my pep doesn’t last nearly long enough-but I
still enjoy the zip while it’s there.) Oh yes, and save a
little pep to go to the polls and vote – don’t ask me for whom
-I haven’t decided that yet myself – like I said in the
Iron-Men column – after watching the convention – didn’t give
you much enthusiasm to vote for either party, but I guess we have
to figure there is bad points to all phases of life and we’ll
have to keep listening and studying the candidates and their vows
and promises they hope to make come true – examine our own
conscience and do what we think is best, but at least, let’s
not give our privilege of voting.
From NORMAN MULLINGS, Box 93, Granby, Connecticut 06035 comes
this note: ‘A little information to the ‘What Is It?’
column. This is in answer to Mr. Russell Ginnow and his B and E M
engine. This engine is identical to one built by the Fairbanks
company of New York City. They had two engines in their line from
1900 to about 1910 that were known as ‘The Junior’ and
‘Type A’. Both of these are identical to Mr. Ginnow’s
engine except for the fly wheels and carburetor. The Fairbanks
engines had 21′ flywheels and a carburetor of their own design.
In everything else the engine are identical.
I would suggest this engine was job bed from The Fairbanks
Company during the period 1900-1910 with these two changes having
been ordered by B & E.M. Company. Fairbanks Company rated their
engine at 2? Hp. at 400 r.p.m. (Thanks Norman, and I hope this is a
help to more than just Russell.)
Another letter along the same line came to us from PAUL E.
HARVEY, Coolspring, Pennsylvania 15730. Paul writes us:
‘Perhaps I can be of some help to Mr. Russell Ginnow of
Oshkosh, Wis., in identifying his upright ‘B & E’ gas
engine pictured and described on p. 22 of Sept.-Oct. 1968 GEM. I
also have such an engine but not yet restored. I found mine rusting
away in a scrap yard about 8 months ago and after a rather lengthy
discussion of the worth of that hunk of cast iron with the owner,
it was on the old pick-up truck and heading for home. After several
weeks of soaking and scraping I discovered that the piston would
actually move, but it had no carburetor or fuel pump.
Using a temporary hook-up with a low tension coil and some pipe
fittings and propane, I had it running very nicely. I never
completed the job, not knowing what kind of fuel pump and
carburetor it should have and at this time 1 would like to ask Mr.
Ginnow how he fabricated the fuel system to serve the Lunkenheimer
carburetor?
Well, under the dirt my engine had a brass nameplate stating,
‘The Fairbanks Company’, Model A (not Fairbanks-Morse).
However, a letter from F-M revealed it was so old they they had no
records of such an engine-in fact, I believe they were a bit
surprised to be associated with such a machine.
However, my good friend, John Wilcox of Columbus, Ohio came to
the rescue! His research through some old catalogs revealed that a
small concern, Bates and Edmonds Company, jobbed these engine for
Fairbanks. I have no definite date but apparently it was made about
the turn of the century.
I think the interesting feature of these engines is that the
exhaust valve is pulled open, rather than pushed, as in most other
engines. Also the cam is below the crankshaft, making a very long
‘push rod’ which also trips the igniter.
I would also like to add a suggestion for Mr. George Kempher of
Emporium, Pa. who has a marine engine pictured on p. 17 of
July-Aug. 1968 GEM. This engine is similar in some respects to a
Detroit Auto-Marine engine that I saw in West Virginia. The Detroit
has a 9 inch solid flywheel but a rounded water jacket similar to a
Cushman. However, the crankcase and the plunger water pump are
almost identical. So, perhaps there is some connection between the
two engines.
My collection now numbers 35 engines and ranges from a 5000
pound 9 by 12 Model 4 Klein (National Transit) Gas Engine to a 20
Pound Sieverkropp.
I am also fortunate to own an inverted Webster Gas Engine and a
6 Hp. International Famous horizontal which is equipped with a dual
gasoline and natural gas carburetor. (We’re looking for-ward to
your pictures and articles of these GEMS, Paul.)
Sympathies to all the family and friends of ‘Gas Engine
Al’- Albert Erbele of Lehr, North Dakota who died August 16. He
was an enthusiastic gas fan and will be missed by many.
Being this is the Nov-Dec. issue I’ll want to wish you a
Joyous Holiday Season coming up – may it be one of your nicest
yet.
In closing remember: No ideas ever came from swelled heads—–
Shady business never yields sunny profit.—–To train children at
home, it is necessary for the parents and the children to spend
some time at home.—–Drive so that your driver’s license will
expire be-fore you do.—–Wisdom is divided into two parts. Having
a great deal to say and not saying it.
The Aultman-Taylor 30-60 at Museum. It is in fine operating
condition.
INTERNATIONAL TOM THUMB, owned and restored by Houston L.
Herndon. This engine and a lot of other ‘odd ball’ engines
will be at the Florida American Royal Gas and Steam Engine Round-Up
February 8th and 9th, 1969.
10 HP McCormick Deering, S/n W216, Manufactured 1920. Restored
and owned by Houston L. Herndon. Will be running February 8th and
9th, 1969 at the Florida American Royal Gas and Steam Engine
Round-Up.
32 HP Fairbanks-Morse Model NB, S/n 117095, owned by Houston L.
Herndon. I purchased this engine from the operator of a Citrus
Packing House who installed it new in 1913. This engine is
unrestored in this picture but will be running at the Florida
American Royal Gas and Steam Engine Round-UP, February 8th and 9th,
1969. Mrs. Herndon standing in front of the engine.
