1121 Hilltop Lane, Modeston, California.
For those who have Witte and Stover gas engines, the following
information will either lead to parts and information, but that is
what so often is hard to come by at the present time. In any case
of doubt of manufacture of any engine, ALWAYS write to the
manufacturer first–then try other sources. It is surprising how
many of the old companies still are going strong this very day. A
postage stamp and letter are often a most revealing source of
detailed and amazing information.
For Stover engine shipping, parts and other data, write to
Lester L. Roos, 328 N. State St., Geneseo, Illinois 61254. He has
the last Stover parts and quite a number of them, also parts and
operating information book reprints for sale at reasonable
prices.
Now, on the Witte gas engine, of which many no doubt were built
over the years and a large number of them, write to USS Oil well,
Division of United States Steel, Garland, Texas, ATTN: Mr. 0. S.
Hest wood. He will send parts books, shipping dates and other
interesting bits as he has available. United States Steel took over
the engine manufacturing part of the Witte Gas Engine Company some
years ago and they have all the records. Mr. Hest wood wrote me a
very nice letter and I feel certain he would do so to anyone who
wanted information.
The Cushman Motor Works, Lincoln, Nebraska are still in
business-write for what information they have available–anything
is better than nothing.
I restored a type M 1? McCormick-Deering gas engine, complete to
original skids, crank and all the other trimmings–has EK Wico high
tension spark plug ignition and bought sight unseen a 3 HP Type M
McCormick Deering engine from Tom Graves of Tigard, Oregon. Also
restored a late LB IHC 1?-2? gas engine.
A friend of mine picked up a Bean engine with radiator behind
flywheel, rather a rare one, off an old spray rig and another
friend has a Pearson engine with the radiator in the
flywheel–somehow Cushman had a hand in designing this engine, as
did the Collis Company of Ohio.
My 1927 10-20 McCormick Deering tractor took a lot of work in
its restoration process–this type of job requires more work than a
gas engine. Water pumps of the rotary or centrifugal type make a
nice load to belt up to a gas engine and makes them look much
better than just sitting there banging away at nothing but the
empty air. I always try to take along one engine or two and a
machine for each one to belt up to–makes for more interest and
better sounding exhaust.
Economy engine used to work water pump.
