Palmer recollections from the 1950's ... |
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Andrew Menkart
Moderator Username: andrew
Post Number: 593 Registered: 11-2001
| Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 11:31 am: |
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The following came in by email:
quote: My name is Scott Stevens, my father Douglas Stevens, as well as my uncle Dave Stevens, and my grandfather Harold Stevens worked for the Palmer Engine Company from the early 50's till after they were bought out by Thermal Electron. We lived in Greenwich, CT. till 1972. As a child I remember the engines to be green in the International block stage, and they changed to Orange, before they went to Red as a Ford block. Then they were called a Crusader/Palmer, subsequently they dropped the Palmer, but continued to use the old Palmer flag as the emblem. Unfortunately my father is no longer with us, so I'm going off my best recollection. Sincerely Scott Stevens [email protected]
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Richard A. Day Jr.
Senior Member Username: richardday
Post Number: 312 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 08:04 pm: |
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Scott, Always looking for voices from the past. David Stevens on Ray Bollings recomendation gave us the First Palmer, when Dave moved south from Toms River back in about 1984. He had saved it from the dumpster back in 1971 when Palmer closed its doors. We had a very interesting afternoon with Dave telling me a lot of interesting tales and helping me identifye people and things in photos that Ray Bolling had given me back in about 1980. Palmer was a houshold name around the Chesapeake Bay for at least 75 years. They had service centers in every major port around the Bay where the Watermen of the oyster, crab and fishing fleets operated from. Their principal market was the working watermen and pre WWII pleasure craft in the 20 to 50 foot class. Post WWII they began to lose out to outboard motors for small boats and the 671 War Surplus diesel killed their remarkable Russell Newberry diesel they had brought on stream in 1939/40. Post WWII the only Palmer engine from the ground up was the 1949-1957 Model BH. All the other engines were automotive and truck engines conversion which were very sucessful. One particularly sucessful engine was the M-60 AKA P-60 which was the IHC Cub Lo-Boy tractor engine conversion. This was a remarkable engine and some are still in service today. IHC I understand made over 300k tractors using this engine and it is still possible to get the engine parts from IHC tractor dealers. Glad you checked into the OME page. Andrew has created a great opportunity for marine engine nuts to explore the a unique portion of industrial history. |
dallen
Visitor
| Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 01:29 pm: |
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I have water in the cylinder head of our Palmer 27 hp. I have replaced the gasket, checked the cylinder head for cracks and can't find any. The motor will not start. How else could water be entering the motor? Thanks. Don |
John Drabik
Member Username: john_drabik
Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 04:03 pm: |
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You mentioned you checked the cylinder head for cracks. Did you check the cylinder also? I would also look at your exhaust system if you have any water cooled/silencer setup that may have corroded thru. Particularly if you boat in salt water |
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