| Author |
Message |
    
dick
New member
Username: dick
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 11:49 am: | 
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I would appreciate getting some help with a 5 hp, 4 cycle Wolverine marine engine. This engine has a make and break ignition, but the mechanism that advances and retards the timing is missing (it has been replaced with a make shift piece that allows it to run, but there is no adjusting the timing). I would appreciate any information, pictures, etc. that would allow me to fabricate the missing piece. Also, the engine is open crankcase, with only a drip oiler on the side of the cylinder and grease cups on the two mains, so I am concerned about lubrication for the wrist pin and connecting rod bearing. Any help here would be appreciated as well.
Many thanks,
Dick Briggs |
andrew
Moderator
Username: andrew
Post Number: 1124
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 07:44 pm: |
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Dick,
That is a terrific engine.
I think one or more of the regulars on this site have that same engine or maybe the 3-1/2HP model, so hopefully you will get some photos of the mechanism.
Here is some catalog data and a closeup of the m'n'b mechanism... but quality gets poor when it is enlarged too much...
 |
ernie
Senior Member
Username: ernie
Post Number: 480
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 04:28 pm: |
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Dick,
I will try to dig up what I may have on it.
We will have to get together on it's lubrication system. I am sure we can figure it out.
Does any one else have anything on these?
Thanks in advance
Ernie |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 740
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 09:02 pm: |
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This is a file photo of timer of 5 hp "Special Junior" Wolverine. If this is same engine, I can get better ones !
The drip oiler will oil the cyl wall and wrist pin, it's a 4 cycle engine and even though its an open crankcase an amount of oil is kept in the crankcase to splash oil the rod and crankshaft, grease cups help lube shaft and seal in engine oil . |
dick
New member
Username: dick
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 10:52 am: |
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Andrew, Ernie and Richard,
Thanks you all very much for the help with the Wolverine; I really appreciate it. My engine is a "Junior", but not a "Special Junior"....however, the timing/ignitor mechanism looks to be identical. Richard, it would be terrific if you could send me some more images of that piece - direct email is fine if that is easier. I have the bracket but am missing the brass lever gadget and the mechanism underneath - which I assume has some sort of helical component to it for advance and retard.
I guess with the open crankcase and splash oiling this will be a bit messy to run! Does one ever mix some oil with the gas for these, like you do for the 2-cycle, to keep the upper parts lubricated?
Again, many thanks for your help. Cheers, Dick |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 741
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 01:49 pm: |
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Dick
I will take digitals with good resolution and email to you!
The crankcase is open at front and rear, the solid sides are in line with the crank throw and you will be surprised how clean the engine runs.
For running at shows it will probably run another 80 yrs or so like it is, if your going to make power with it in a boat etc, there are upper cylinder oil additives, seems back in 30's- 40's Marvel Mystery oil was popular choice to add to the gas tank on 4 cycle inboard engines! |
andrew
Moderator
Username: andrew
Post Number: 1129
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 09:44 am: |
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The May 2005 issue of Gas Engine Magazine has a short article on the Wolverine Motor Works. The article is based on a cira 1900 catalog. Most of the description is 2 cycle engines, but there is a picture of a 3HP 4 cycle "Junior". Not much detail on the ingitor though.
They end the article by saying that Wolverine "company's history is quite sketchy..".
Actually Wolverine is one of the most fully researched of the engine builders of that period. Larry Mahan spent many years researching (and even buying) the company. He traveled around the world, interviewed family members of employees and officers, and uncovered and document many of the engines. I believe he once went to Brazil or Argentina to document a small Wolverine locomotive (correct me if I am wrong Larry, or anyone else). |
dick
New member
Username: dick
Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 11:34 am: |
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Andrew,
Thanks for the additional information; I'll keep checking my mailbox for the new GEM. Do you know if Mr. Mahan has put all his research together into an article somewhere?
Dick |
andrew
Moderator
Username: andrew
Post Number: 1131
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 07:00 pm: |
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Dick,
I don't think he has published his material on the Wolverine... but you can ask him. He can be reached through the email on his website larinda.com
Don't expect a quick response because he might be at sea.
Note that the footer on every page is "Wolverine Motor Works Shipyard". |
keith
Senior Member
Username: keith
Post Number: 188
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 02:14 pm: |
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Hi Dick
Sorry for the delay in responding to your request. I have what I think is an engine like yours. It is a Model "1906", 5 hp 4 cycle engine. I am attaching a picture and can email others.
Keith
 |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 743
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 02:51 pm: |
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Keith
Is there a tag on this engine ? Address Grand Rapids Mich or Bridgeport conn ? |
keith
Senior Member
Username: keith
Post Number: 189
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 03:46 pm: |
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The tag says Grand Rapids. The head has cast letters for Bridgeport, CT |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 744
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 07:36 pm: |
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Keith
Wolverine moved to Bridgeport Conn. in 1907.Engines with Grand Rapids address are 1906 and earlier, If the tag on your engine says 'Junior" and the mounting flanges are cast into the sides of crankcase even with crankshaft, I believe the stamping in the model blank on the tag is the year it was made, 1906 ! |
dick
Member
Username: dick
Post Number: 4
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 09:05 am: |
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Keith and Richard,
Thanks for the picture Keith; if your tag says Junior, now we know the timing/ignitor mechanism is essentially the same for the 5hp Junior and the 3 hp Special Junior that Richard has. I sure would like to see some more pictures of the whole engine, if that isn't too much trouble (email is fine if it is easier). Does yours (or Richard's) have a magneto on it, like the Special in Andrew's picture?
Thanks, Dick |
Sue Peloso
Visitor
| | Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 01:58 pm: |
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Thanks for all the info. My father, now 93 years old, used to work for the Wolverine Motor Works in Bridgeport, CT as his first job in Engineering. He asked me if I could find some history on the company. Anyone have any ideas where I can track down some info? Email me at the address below if you have any info.
Thanks |
andrew
Moderator
Username: andrew
Post Number: 817
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 08:21 pm: |
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Sue,
Thanks for posting.
A lot of the collectors here have Wolverine catalogs, ads, and photos of engines (as well as the real engines).
You could try contacting Larry Mahan at the link shown in one of the posts above. He has done a tremendous amount of research on Wolverine and has interviewed many of the former employees. I don't think he has published a history at this point, but I could be wrong. I'm sure he would be anxious to talk to your father. If you would like to interview your father about his memories working at Wolverine, you could certainly post it here. We would be most interested.
Also, you can use the search function at the top of this page and enter wolverine to see what other posts are here on this board.
The 2005 article from Gas Engine Magazine does not appear to be online in their archive yet, but the following short article is:
Larinda with Wolverine diesel |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 1376
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 08:57 pm: |
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*
Unfortunately Captain Larry Mahan is no longer with us !
http://kathysharpfrisbee.com/thedreamcaptain.html |
andrew
Moderator
Username: andrew
Post Number: 818
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 09:26 pm: |
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I'm sorry, I didn't know.
I visited Larry a few times when he was building LARINDA on the Cape.
He was a amazing and inspirational individual! |
jed_clamp
Member
Username: jed_clamp
Post Number: 8
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 - 12:05 am: |
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I have a grand rapids wolverine with the early style trip system like the first engine posted here. Its missing the vaporizer and the crankcase lid at the botom of the of the engine for the oil splash system. Woud be greatfull to see any pictures that may asist in making paterns for these. The engine is in great shape otherwise. |
dick
Member
Username: dick
Post Number: 23
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 - 08:13 am: |
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Here is the intake system on mine; I have seen several with Schebler carburetors on them. There is no front or back cover for the crankcase (see the third image; it seems like it ought to be a messy runner, but it isn't too bad).
 |
jed_clamp
Member
Username: jed_clamp
Post Number: 10
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2014 - 06:38 pm: |
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Thanks for the pics. I sent you an email. |
jed_clamp
Member
Username: jed_clamp
Post Number: 18
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 04:43 pm: |
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I�m still looking for a vaporizer just like the one on the engine above this post. 1 1/4 pipe thread. I beleave they were made by Essex. Does anybody have one? |
jed_clamp
Member
Username: jed_clamp
Post Number: 19
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 04:50 pm: |
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Like this |
