Newly Restored
Early Teens Evinrude Marine Engine
Approximately 1 1/2 Horse Power gasoline engine manufactured by
Evinrude Motor Co., Milwaukee, WI
2 5/8" Bore X 2 1/2" Stroke - Rated H.P. at approx. 1200(?) R.P.M.
Though this little inline two cylinder was initially intended as an inboard boat engine, Watson Jack & Co. Ltd. of Montreal Canada marketed this engine as the prime mover for a small gear type water pump for portable fire fighting purposes. The aluminum base was cast to fit the engine block and water pump, and was fitted with two passages, one at each end, to accept wooden poles that would protrude out each side of the assembly to facilitate being carried by fire fighters. The engine itself, in fact, was partially or possibly completely constructed in Canada as several parts are inscribed with "Made in Canada", most notably the bronze main bearings. The styled flywheel with mounted rope starter is very reminiscent of many of the Evinrude boat engines.
1918 Elgin "Haf-A-Hors"
1/2 Horse Power multipurpose engine manufactured by the
Elgin Wheel & Engine Co., Elgin, Illinois
2" Bore X 2" Stroke - Rated H.P. at approx. 500 R.P.M. pulley speed.
This unusual little engine was built to suit the small jobs around the farm or home. It sports an inverted cylinder, is air cooled by means of a combination flywheel/blower and has a removable pulley to allow different pulley sizes to be used. It is light enough in weight that it could be easily carried to the work site. The ignition is battery powered using a self-contained high tension buzz coil and spark plug. According to advertisements of the day, some uses would include powering butter churns, cream separators, washing machines or small power tools such as a drill press. Cost of this little engine in 1920 was approximately $33 dollars U.S. complete.
1920 Fairmont "Speeder" engine
4 Horse Power railway personnel carrier engine manufactured by the
Fairmont Railway Motors, Inc., Fairmont, Minnesota
3 3/4" Bore X 3 1/4" Stroke - Rated H.P. at approx. 900 R.P.M.
This engine was built specifically for the railroad industry to power a small railway motor car, commonly called a 'Speeder', to carry workers to their work sites. The general style of these engines was very similar to their 4 cycle cousins, including the horizontal cylinder, large dual flywheels and water hopper for cooling, though some also used a small radiator. One advantage these engines had in their application in the railway cars, was their ability to run in either direction which eliminated the need for a transmission. Depending on the design and placement of the intake and exhaust ports, and other related factors, many 2 cycle engines can run either direction. Today, there are many clubs across the U.S. that gather at specified, supervised railroad sites to run not only these engines but the 'Speeders' they were built for. The PH-4 engine shown had long since been separated from its car before I purchased it, and I felt it needed to be on a new set of wheels...
1935 Maytag Model 92 washing machine engine
3/4 Horse Power engine manufactured by the
Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa
2 1/2" Bore X 2" Stroke - Rated H.P. at approx. 1000 R.P.M.
Due to the lack of electrification of many homes, particularly in the rural farm areas of the nation, a good majority of Maytag washing machines where powered by gasoline engines prior to World War II. Maytag entered the washing machine business around 1909 and produced their first two cycle washer engines in about 1911. The third model of the Maytag line to be introduced was the Model 92 as seen above. The 92s' were built mainly from 1927 to 1937, with a select few possibly being built clear into the '60s. The engines were mounted under the washers' tub and belted to the washers' gearbox by a 'V' belt. The engine was pedal started after the clothes, water and soap were loaded into the tub. The exhaust was led away from the washer through a flexible metal pipe out to the muffler on the end. Interesting with these engines was the similarity to the 4 cycle 'Hit and Miss' engines of the day. These Maytags were also 'Hit and Miss', governed by a special weighted mechanism that actuated the ignition points, disabling the spark when proper speed was attained.
1937 Maytag Model 72 washing machine engine
3/4 Horse Power engine manufactured by the
Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa
1 1/2" Bore X 1 1/2" Stroke - Rated H.P. at approx. 1200 R.P.M.
From August 1937 to September 1952, Maytag produced its 4th and completely new design, the Model 72. Though still of the two cycle design, this engine was the only twin that Maytag built. The opposed cylinders made the engine much better balanced and smoother running than its single cylinder predecessors. The design included a simple but ingenious governor that actually throttled the engine versus the earlier 'hit and miss' method. The 'throws' of the crankshaft were set 180 degrees from each other, so both cylinders fired simultaneously. In addition to powering washing machines, some of these little engines were sold as part of a portable motor/generator set to generate electricity.
