Smoke Rings

'Over the years I have answered many of the Smoke Rings articles offering help to the restorers out in Engine Land. It is now my turn to ask for help,' says JAMES P. RILEY, 294 New Bridge Road, Rising Sun, Maryland 21911.

'I plan on restoring two engines, one a two cycle single vertical cylinder inboard boat engine with one flywheel on which is cast in raised letters-Detroit Caille Liberty Drive. The other is a 1 HP Gray hit and miss single horizontal cylinder flat head water-cooled engine. Both engines have parts missing which I will have to make and any information on them particularly the original paint color will be greatly appreciated. I will answer all letters and return postage.'

'HELP! I have recently acquired this tractor and I am hoping you or one of your readers can tell me what it is. The only markings on it are Vaughn Flex Tractor,' says LEWIS BREEDEN, 15044 Howellhurst Drive, Bladwin Park, California 91706, phone 213-962-0016.

W. B. DAVIS, 1601 Millers Ferry Road, Lat 229, Wilmer, Texas 75172 has a John Deere engine, 1 HP hit and miss, #359277, Type E, 600 RPM. It has ignitor and gear-driven magneto. He has been running it with 6V battery and coil but has been unable to operate on magneto. When running, the magneto will light up a small 6V bulb a little.

He goes on to say: 'I took the permanent magnet off the magneto and had it recharged. The timing marks on the magneto gear and the gear that drives it are lined up O.K. Now, I am wondering if the crankshaft gear and the gear that it drives, or middle gear, must be in time also. Sure would appreciate anyone who can tell me what to do. I'm new to your world of engines and I am certainly having fun. I'll do my best to answer all.'

'Pictured is our 2 cycle IHC 3 HP Booster engine, but we know very little about it, except it was used on a railroad hand car in the era 1914-1917. The only literature we have found on it is in a book 150 Years of IHC by Wendell. I would like to learn more about this engine and how many are in the hands of other collectors. Will be looking forward to hearing from you fellow IHC collectors,' writes DALE PETLY, Route 1, Box 25, Pasco, Wisconsin 99301, phone 509-547-9914.

KEVIN BEHNKE, 1106 Prospect Avenue, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401 says: 'Perhaps some people out in Engine Land can help me with some information. I would like the year of manufacture, paint number, and striping, if any, for the following engines: Hercules 3 HP EK Engine No. 119413; this is a kerosene engine with Webster ignition. Monitor upright made by Baker Mfg. Co., Evansville, Wisconsin, 1 HP Type VJ, Engine No. 13508; this is a pumpjack engine with hit-and-miss battery ignition. Galloway 2 HP Engine No. 02817 with Webster ignitor.

'I will gladly answer all letters. Also, I would like to know if any of these companies still exist under same or different names.'