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Message |
    
Rene Svastal
New member
Username: rene_svastal
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2014
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 03:48 pm: | 
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I have had this engine for about 18 years, purchased from a store where they had it as a decoration.
I am interested to know more about it (manufacturer, year manufactured, type of ignition it would have used)
The ID plate says Chatham Foundry, but I can't find any information about it.
I have had it apart before, it has a brass connecting rod with a hinged crank journal. I started it many years ago with a 12V coil, but the flywheel sheared its key.
Thanks for your help.
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B. Goss
Senior Member
Username: bgoss
Post Number: 217
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 07:23 pm: |
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Good looking old engine, Rene.
Do you have a photo of the rear of the engine? Is the water pump laying down on it's side? Ignition was likely just a simple contact on a fibre ring just behind the flywheel. Lever handle would stick up just above the radius of the flywheel so that you could adjust timing while running.
I haven't come across this company producing engines before. Will need to do some more searching to see what surfaces.
Thanks for sharing,
Blair |
Rene Svastal
New member
Username: rene_svastal
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2014
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 10:03 pm: |
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Thanks for the reply Blair. The water pump is horizontal. Please see attached picture.
Rene |
RichardDurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 3344
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2014 - 11:07 pm: |
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*
Rene
This is so far a one of a kind Old Marine Engine !
I have had the trade name "CHATHAM" in data base for some time but have come across very little information. Your post with photos answers the question of where and by whom it was mfgrd.
I only have scattered notes on the company.
1. 1904 Arthur Edward Ruddock was co owner with another partner first name Charles. Ruddock left the company in 1904 ?
2. 400 Lacroix Street was address in 1933, the ad was for the furnaces they mfgrd.
3. Defiance Iron Works Co.,Ltd, mfgrd marine engines in Chatham, there address was 300 Lacroix street.
4. 1910 Swift Motor Car Co. took over Defiance Iron Works Co Ltd, continued to make marines engines.
Don't have enough info to sort this data out but two foundries seemingly next door to each other makes you think they used the facilities mutually ?
I appreciate you posting the photos and bringing another Old marine Engine manufacturer to light !
*} |
Robert
Senior Member
Username: robert
Post Number: 646
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 - 11:01 am: |
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I would be cautious of the plate. It looks very much like a modern reproduction or just as likely plate from some other totally unrelated item that a previous "restorer", or perhaps that store who owned it, put on for decorative purposes. The plate appears to have been modified to fit the space. That kind of font was popular in the 70s for some labelling etc. |
Rene Svastal
New member
Username: rene_svastal
Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2014
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 - 03:14 pm: |
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Those were my thoughts as well regarding the plate.
I would still be interested is finding out where and when this was made though. |
