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Message |
    
Andrew Menkart
Moderator
Username: andrew
Post Number: 897
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 10:13 am: | 
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Maybe someone can assist Ian in identifying this.
quote:I have been writing to various sources for about two years, trying to obtain a Kermath manual or any information that is currently available in print, but am always asked for the model of the Kermath.
I thought that the 20HP marked on the brass plate was the model until I did a bit of research. My Kermath engine is four cylinders and bore and stroke is each 4 inches, which is similar to the "Seaman" model. I don't know if the picture below helps in confirming that this engine is a "Seaman", but that is all the model information I currently have. Engine came out of a 1911 boat.
I understand that the "Sea Bird" model has a 3-1/4 inch diameter, and the "Sea Dog" model has a 3-3/4 inch diameter cylinder? There is also a "Sea Cub" in the list of early 4-cylinder Kermaths, but it has been called a 25 HP in some of the discussions, I don't know what bore or stroke this model had. There was also a later model the Kermath "Sea Jeep High-speed" that was a marine conversion of the Willy's "Jeep" L-head 4 cylinder 61 HP engine from the Willy's Jeeps.
Any help you can provide will be appreciated,as I'm trying to figure out why my engine can be operating "happily" and suddenly sputter and stop. I have good spark, good compression, that leaves fuel and timing? It currently does not run and I need some help from a manual.
Cheers
IAN
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Andrew Menkart
Moderator
Username: andrew
Post Number: 898
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 10:54 am: |
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from Ian:
quote:Perhaps I have the answer to my own question? Unfortunately not able to post the photos on the discussion board.
I have taken a photo of the port side of the engine that clearly shows the magneto, starter and water pump.
quote:Compared to the following diagram of the Vanadium 20 HP Unit Power Plant, I agree that my engine is the same. Is "Vanadium" a model name used by Kermath?
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Rod Thompson
Member
Username: roadster541
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 03:58 pm: |
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I have the 1924 instruction book and parts list covering 3 to 20 hp engines which came with my 12 hp engine, which I am willing to scan if that is of any help. I don't think that any manual is going to be of any help getting the engine running. My engine serial no.is 11964 and as far as I know was fitted new in a boat built c.1920. My instruction book certainly makes no reference to any engine model names. Maybe model names started later? I am no authority on Kermath engines, I have just picked up a little bit of information whilst researching my engine. Can anyone date these engines from the serial numbers?
Ian's smart engine is a real tribute to him! |
Ian Devlin
Visitor
| | Posted on Friday, December 07, 2007 - 01:24 pm: |
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Thank you for the kind comment on my Kermath. I am continuously impressed with the design and construction of this engine. As a mechanical engineer, I know that engineers are still following the technical designs incorporated into these marine engines. Best part is that I know there is no computer chip necessary for the proper operation of this engine.
I would certainly appreciate having any information that you have on Kermath engines. I agree that a manual won't get the engine running, but I am hoping to gain some insight into what might be the trouble from a manual. I know it is not spark problem or compression. That leaves me with fuel and timing issues to check, and that is information that I'm hoping a manual might give me some direction.
If scanning your instruction booklet and parts list is not too extensive for you I would certainly appreciate that information. |
Rod Thompson
Member
Username: roadster541
Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 06:26 pm: |
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Ian,
Will scan the book in the next couple of days. Where should I send it to? Rod |
Ian Devlin
Visitor
| | Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:55 pm: |
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Appreciate your effort in providing information on my 20 HP Kermath. My e-mail address is [email protected] |
Steve Harrison
New member
Username: 41mang
Post Number: 3
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 09:06 pm: |
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Hey Andrew,
Does your engine sputter much and then stop, or pretty much stop outright? Sudden flame out points toward electrical,...spitting sputtering stop points toward fuel. Pull a plug when it quits and check it's condition. Is it fouled?, wet with fuel?, toasty brown? Plugs can tell a lot. I assume you've tried all the small things, interchanging plugs, points, cap, fuel filter(?)
Does it run for a good while before it quits? or does it quit fairly soon after starting? Does it quit at higher rpm or lower or no pattern. How long till you can restart?
Good Luck,
Steve |
Steve Harrison
Member
Username: 41mang
Post Number: 4
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 - 09:08 pm: |
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Whoops! No points,... wasn't thinking. |
Rod Thompson
Member
Username: roadster541
Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 05:43 am: |
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Finally managed to scan the instruction book and drawing, so hopefully you got my emails.
Rod |
Christopher Cameron
New member
Username: gonagin58
Post Number: 3
Registered: 08-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - 12:57 pm: |
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Hey fellas, I was just wondering if maybe you could send me a copy of that manual too. I just got a 1942 welin lifeboat with a Kermath 8-10 and don't want to screw it up due to ignorance.
Thanks
Chris
[email protected] |
Shelby Langston
New member
Username: classicmotoryacht
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2011 - 09:18 am: |
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Ian: Should you or ever wish to sell the Kermath, please let me know. Also to other readers, I am looking to add to my collection of Kermath Engines and attemptinng to have a least one of every model produced. Let me know what you have. Complete as possible. Additionally any 4 cylinder or larger engines from 1910 needed. Van Blerck, Murray and Tregurtha, New York Launch etc. |
