THE GIRLS

By Staff
Published on February 1, 1995
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3313 48th Avenue Moline, Illinois 61265

This is a story about two Continental Military twin engines. My
nightmare began in the winter of 1993, and did not end until the
spring of 1994. During this six-month period I felt like a widow!
If my husband was not at work, he was out in the garage building
that thing of a tractor which he so lovingly called ‘THE
GIRLS,’ because the twin engines fight like two teenage
girls.

This is a 1958 Simplicity Wonder Boy 700, extended 28 inches for
a full length of seven feet. The back half as well as the front
axle are original. This was extended for the purpose of placing two
twin cylinder overhead valve engines, sitting side by side. The
engines are belted together to the drive shaft. They are both
started with one starter generator.

The engines were built by Continental Motors and are dated back
in the mid-’60s for the military. The engines had a 1500 watt
generator bolted to them, and were used in aircraft for generating
electricity, plus many more uses we have not heard about yet. The
military has rated the engines at 3 HP each. They have roller
rockers and roller main bearings, 2 bore and stroke. Each cylinder
has its own magneto. The mufflers are contained behind the air
shroud and have Tillotson carburetors. The carburetors are cross
linked together with one common cable. The governors in both
engines are in use.

It took Dale about five hours to get ‘The Girls’ to quit
fighting each other. Since then they have become very dependable on
starting and running. It would not have taken so long, but ‘The
Girls’ refused to idle down when he wanted them to, so
therefore they won! Since then, they have become the boss! They
still fight Dale and each other, but Dale now realizes he is just
the referee.

Since the completion of the tractor, we have both enjoyed it.
I’ve answered as many questions as he has at the engine show we
attend.

I’m glad he built the tractor, but the next one he builds,
I’m going to help! No more six months widow for me!

If you have more information about Continental Motors, please
feel free to write to Dale Allensworth at the above address.

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