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| Author |
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andrew
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 10:15 am: | 
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The following was sent to me...
Quote:This Star engine is from an early 1900 launch. I'm trying to gather info for restoring her. Jim
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andrew
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 10:18 am: |
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Jim,
I am not familiar with "STAR MOTORS INC", but from the tag it appears that they "marinized" a Continental engine, as did many other marine engine builders. Various manuals such as operators, parts, service are available for the Continental. Do you know the displacement of the engine? If so you can detirmine which Continental block it was. |
Tom Stranko
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 01:17 pm: |
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There was a Star automobile but as I recall, it had a friction drive and was about a 1905. Maybe they went on to produce into the 1920'S? |
andrew
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 01:36 pm: |
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Jim just sent this in too which he received from elsewhere:
Quote:Jim,
The motor was likely intended to go in a Star Touring Car. The motor was manufactured by Continental Motor Co., but Star went our of business in 1928 (the same year the motor was manufactured - interesting!)
I snipped this from another article:
There were four Star cars made in the U.S. and one in Great Britain. Star Automobile Company operated in Cleveland, OH from 1903 - 1904, a second Star Automobile Company existed in Chicago, IL in 1908, and a third Star car
was made by Model Automobile Company in Peru, IN. A fourth Star was made by Durant Motor Company of New Jersey, Michigan and California from 1922 - 1928.
This Star was an attempt to take away some of the Model T Ford's market for the cheapest possible car. In 1923 it was the 7th best seller in America.
It was sold outside the U.S. as the Rugby. In 1928 the make disappeared with the collapse of the Durant interests.
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solarrog
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 01:41 pm: |
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The star and the Durrant engines were both manufactored but Continential. I have 4 pistons
and possibly a cyinder head for one of these engines out in my shop
Roger
Fremont,Ca |
miro
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 06:08 pm: |
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The Durant company also had a plant in Leaside, which is now part of Toronto - they also made Reo trucks there too. The Durant Canadian Head Office still stands today - a very nice example of early 20th century architecture. Their plant was bought by Canada Wire and Cable ( part of the Noranada Group). The plant was demolished 4 years ago to make way for a bunch of big box stores.
I saw a Durant Star auto last summer in perfect running condition - exposed flywheel - external timing control - all the things that you'd want on a marine engine.
Interestingly the muffler is about 6 ft long.
miro |
Richard Day
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 07:57 pm: |
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I well remember seeing Star automobiles in the town dump in Peterborough, NH. back in the 1930s. In those days if you wanted to get rid of a car you drove it to the town dump left the keys in it and walked away. There were all kinds of nifty touring cars from the WWI era on. Moon, Ts, Essex, you name it. If you wanted a car you just went to dump and picked up a junker you liked and put a battery, gas, oil, water in it and drove it home. There were no titles in NH. and you just paid I think it was $2.00 and got a set of tags for it and you were in business. Different times and I am not sure they were not better times than today. |
Scott Peters
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 07:35 am: |
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Star automobiles were the Chevrolet-type line within Durant Motors and were built for the most part in Lansing, Michigan. They used the Continental, as mentioned earlier, made in Muskegon, Michigan. For restoration information you might want to check for back issues of the Durant Family Registry, which covers all vehicles made by Durant Motors. They probably have a site online. |
Liz
| | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 11:17 am: |
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I have an old Star marine engine My husband got last summer and he died in February 2004. I hope someone may want to look at this one. I have some pictures. I would let is go for a resonable price to someone to restore it. It was ( i believe) use on Bainbrige Island in Washington State. Liz email me at [email protected] |
ed_bebee
New member
Username: ed_bebee
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 09:03 pm: |
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Star engines were often used by fishing guides around Battersea, north of Kingston, Ontario. They were converted from the Star auto engines. I have talked to some of the builders and mechanics. It appears that part of their popularity was that Dodge engine pistons would fit.
A number of the old guide boats have been restored with their original Star engines in them.
If I figure out how to upload pictures, I'll post some of them. |
curt brown
Visitor
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 02:44 pm: |
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i have a complete star engine that would run with a little tlc.it powered an old wood saw til i found it.would like to find more of the drive line parts and get it driveable again.
[email protected] |
john_drabik
Member
Username: john_drabik
Post Number: 18
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 30, 2006 - 12:47 pm: |
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I found an 4 cyl. engine block today. The was somewhat illegible but I could read the word Durant. It does have a reversing gear on it but missing the head and valve covers. I will try to get a better look and photos of it soon. Can any one gave me an idea of its age or its bloodlines/
Thanks, John Drabik |
solarrog
Senior Member
Username: solarrog
Post Number: 220
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 30, 2006 - 10:37 pm: |
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I used to have both in my collection, Star and Durrant, They were both made buy continential
I may still have a head and some pistons and rods out in the shop, let me know if you need them |
john_drabik
Member
Username: john_drabik
Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 08:38 am: |
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Brought the Durant/Continental home yesterday. A closer inspection in the light reveals an external crack in the block, 2 missing rod caps, oil pump, pan, mag, head, manifolds and more. It does have what appears to be a complete salvageable valve train and reversing gear which seems complete to my inexperienced eye.
I guess the question now is what to do with it. Or does anyone want it to do whatever with.
Feel free to offer up any insight.
Thankyou,
John Drabik |
jan arnett
Visitor
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2017 - 06:12 pm: |
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John do you still have your Star engine. I need a piston for my moon,
Thanks
Jan |
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