Unknown engine

[medicevans]

I had read a few articles about engines that were stand-alone engines, made about the turn of the century.  They are gasoline powered, maybe with big flywheels, used to power water pumps, maybe?  Anyone have any idea what I'm talking about, or did I just dream this up???

[Rick Hall]

Lots of them. Perhaps thinking of a 1HP gas engine, big flywheel to smooth the pulses, had a step on kick starter, used on many stationary farm 'tools'. I remember one like above that was used on an old Maytag. Or so the owner said.

Corn sheller, small grain mill, cream separator, ... All had a hand crank, and many had an option for engine power from the tractor, small engine, ...

Rick

[Strawboss]

At engine shows they have gas motors that were used in areas that didn't have electricity yet to power appliances and a few light bulbs at night for a few hours. They would fire off an ignition stroke and rotate a few turns then fire off another ignition stroke, rpm's maybe around 600 a minute with a pop every 5 seconds or so. They were stationary, not all that big, sometimes on wheels. Maybe?

[Outback_Jon]

Saw a whole bunch of them at the Rhinebeck motorcycle show last year.  There was also a tractor and engine show.  Many of them were running things like pumps and other small equipment.  They had a large one running a log splitter - making firewood far quicker than you could do with a hydraulic splitter.

Type "old engine" in to youtube and you get a whole bunch of hits.

[yoman]

Stationary Engines.

I also have a 2 cycle engine off of a Maytag washer. It's fun to watch run and consume beer.

[medicevans]

At engine shows they have gas motors that were used in areas that didn't have electricity yet to power appliances and a few light bulbs at night for a few hours. They would fire off an ignition stroke and rotate a few turns then fire off another ignition stroke, rpm's maybe around 600 a minute with a pop every 5 seconds or so. They were stationary, not all that big, sometimes on wheels. Maybe?

Yeah, yeah, yeah,.....that sounds like what I'm talking about.  What are those things called??  They sound really neat when they run.  I just think it would be the coolest thing to get one of those.  It's probably a little weird, but they look awesome. 

[medicevans]

Stationary Engines.

I also have a 2 cycle engine off of a Maytag washer. It's fun to watch run and consume beer.

I'm glad someone else is weird like me too.....

[medicevans]

Also known as "hit and miss" engines.  Found it!  Anyone have any fun videos of one?

**edit:  Found a bunch of videos on youtube.  Lots of homemade ones......Now, who wants to help me make one?  I'll buy the beer!

[Strawboss]

Unless you are passionate about finding 100 year old plans and fabricating one out of steel using a lathe, a Bridgeport, shapers and all the associated machinery, its probably better/cheaper to find one at an engine show after doing some research. They aren't all that complicated but the folks who built them, sold them, serviced them and originally used them are most likely all dead. Of course there are collectors and the internet. You know, you can't just buy ONE. You need 6 or 7 to make a good running ONE. Good luck.

[medicevans]

Not impossible, just challenging..........    Still, something very visceral and deep rooted in those engines.

[Strawboss]

Oh sure, sure, I know, I understand. I get that way too sometimes. I like old stuff. And old running stuff is cool.