Greg Ackerly
Age: 16
Location: Schuylerville, NY
E-mail:countrypwr4@yahoo.com
Q: How long have you been collecting gas engines?
A: I have been collecting old engines for 5 years, but I have loved my dad’s stuff for as long as I can remember. In fact, my first word was “backhoe” because of my dad’s John Deere backhoe.
Q: Who else in your family collects engines?
A: My dad collects old iron of every kind including engines, and my grandpa had some old iron but no engines.
Q: In general, what are your favorite engines?
A: I love Briggs & Stratton engines, mostly because of the wide range of models, their small size and the fact that they were the first engines I owned.
Q: How many engines do you have in your collection?
A: At last count I had about 110 small air-cooled engines (mostly Briggs & Stratton as I love them), a 5 HP Empire as seen in the February 2009 issue (Flywheel Forum), half of a 1-1/2 HP De Laval, a Farmall M that’s on full steel and some other stuff. Among my Briggs & Stratton engines, I have a few rare ones: a battery ignition Model F (serial number 210), a Model FB with a shroud (serial number 4941) and a Model Z powered Lindsay compressor.
Q: Are you working on any projects?
A: Yeah, I have a couple projects I’m currently working on including my Farmall M, and Briggs & Stratton Models F, MC and K. I recently finished working on but not restoring Briggs & Stratton Models I, K, Z, B, FI, a second K, Q, WI and BP.
Q: What’s your favorite
engine in your collection?
A: It would have to be either my Briggs & Stratton Model F or Model FB.
Q: Which shows do you
normally attend each year?
A: I usually attend many local New York shows including Edinburg, Hudson and Canandaigua.
Q: As a young collector, what are some obstacles you’ve come across in the hobby?
A: I have come across several problems including the prices of most rare engines and even some common ones. Also, finding engines is getting very hard as well as finding parts for them.
Q: If money weren’t an issue, what is your dream engine to own?
A: I would probably go for a friction-drive IHC or an early Springfield.
