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Message |
    
Robert
Senior Member
Username: robert
Post Number: 146
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 10:39 pm: | 
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This engine was found at a remote light station on the BC coast many years ago. It is missing a few parts and enquiries have been made with the light keeper to see if they can be found. The engine is now at a local museum and will be
restored before long. The light station opened in 1900 give or take a year or two. Interestingly it appears to have been fresh water cooled. Strangely there is no trace of a serial number ever having been stamped in the maker's plate. Any suggestions as to the date of manufacture would be appreciated.
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RichardDurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 1347
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
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Robert
I looked over my info on this model C Palmer and it dates 1904-05 to 1908.
The Tombstone side plates appeared 1904-05, so thats the earliest the engine can be.
The hot head was discontinued in 1908. thats the latest it can be !
1909
This is a 1907 catalog, notice the Generator or mixing valve- its an Exccelsior 4 made by the Generator Valve Co, I believe these 1905-08 model C's used this valve and not the older type that I posted a photo of. article above says 1909 they went float carbs.
1907
1905
The flywheel Is still a mystery, I can not find one view in many of a Model C in those yrs that uses that thin 6 spoke type ? it certianly looks to be a palmer made flywheel - may have been special order or a replacement ?? |
Robert
Senior Member
Username: robert
Post Number: 149
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 12:07 pm: |
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Richard you're a veritable encyclopedia. Thanks very much!
Do we know what make and size of grease cups were used on the main bearings?
I'm guessing the flywheel is the C2 type, perhaps due to just a temporary shortage of castings when this engine was assembled? |
RichardDurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 1349
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 01:50 pm: |
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When the name Palmer Marine Engine is mentioned only one name comes to mind Richard Day, He has published a booklet of operating Instructions for the Palmer Model B,C,D and E its available at the store here on this site ! It Will make the project much more enjoyable .
I'll get greaser photos & specs to you. |
Robert
Senior Member
Username: robert
Post Number: 150
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 07:24 pm: |
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Richard, Dick and I are well acquainted. Funny you should say, as when I was writing that post I tried to phrase so as to mention you both, but it came out sounding odd. Dick's status as the Grand Old Man of Palmers needs no affirmation from me! (Hope you don't mind being the G.O.M. Dick?!) PS: I have Dick's Palmer books here. |
Richard A. Day Jr.
Senior Member
Username: richardday
Post Number: 438
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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Problem is the more we dig out of the fog of history the more confused the picture can become.
I have a 1903 catalog that shows the Tombstone side plates and another that says the water cooled head for the C was added in 1903. I also know that Palmer often used photos that don't relate to the calender year of the catalog. Many of their catalogs have a tiny number eg. 10 or 21 etc. Most inside the front cover or on the first page. I have long given up trying to prove just when a particular change took place with a few exceptions when you tie in Power Boat or Motor Boat articles of the period they may give a clue to a new change or the classic is the bronze hollow connecting rod in the 1903 catalog as it had the date 1903 on the page as their big new improvement. Of course it probably didn't last as an improvement due to failures in service. I have the broken one that came from Arnold Avery's Model B. I sent him a YT con rod in exchange for it. How did I know the YT of 1921 would fit the B of ca 1903. Because the web of early steel B and Q con rod says B and Q and the YT con rod says Q and YT. So you can decipher some of the interchangeable parts by looking for strange numbers and letters. Eg. a con rod with DEMOT fits those models. There is of course a small problem and that is there few to none of these models anywhere. In the last couple of years very few new finds have surfaced with serial numbers and even fewer engines. I guess that is part of the mystique of locating old engines. What is the next new find?? I think the L-2, M-1, R-2 finds of the period 1907-1913 are particular intesting particularly as photos exchanded over the internet begin to permit comparison of strange features that don't have easy explanations. Are these differences factory original or years later changes buy some owner. The recent surfacing of two Model R engines with flywheels with gear teeth cut on the forward periphery of the flyheel makes it obvious that this must have come from the factory. What purpose would these gear teeth serve is not clear. The electric starter had not really been perfected in ca 1910 and particularly not for marine engines in my opinion. Why the obvious gap between the forward face of the crankcase and the aft face of the flyheel hub on the model R. Until two such engines showed up I assumed the flywheel had just not been pushed all the way on the shaft. I thought the flywheel hanging out there weakened the support of the crankshaft paricularly in a heavy sea state. Now we know that at least two engines must have left the factory this way. I am going to try to post a series of photos that all can examine for their assessment. Why are some camshaft supports slit and others not? How was the breath valve problem dealt with in the single cylinder. closed crankcase models L, M and R. One should note the hub of Allan Roney's model R-1 which is marked on one spoke D & E 19. Note the provision for insertinf a crank into the hub. Never seen that on any Palmer I am familiar with. Will gather up the photos and try to post them. |
