| Author |
Message |
    
abm
Member
Username: abm
Post Number: 17
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 05:10 pm: | 
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Hi all. I have a 2 cylinder St. Lawrence, serial number 758 in my L.E. Fry long deck launch. The engine has a fly wheel with a large outer gear ring and a smaller inner gear that appears to be original. The previous owner has fitted a very usefull 12V electric starter. However, I am convinced the original had a dash crank. There is even a cutout in the dash that would seem to support that supposition. I wonder, does anyone have a St. Lawrence with dash crank that I could look at, get some photos and dimensions and then recreate the modern original? In fact it doesn't matter if it is a St. Lawrence as it would probably be similar in any case. Thanks for your help.
Dave Richardson |
jb_castagnos
Senior Member
Username: jb_castagnos
Post Number: 131
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 09:26 pm: |
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Dave, Miro posted this a while back, an original brochure with a factory mounted starter. Here's the site. I haven't seen a dash crank.
http://www.disappearingpropellerboat.com/specifications.html |
bruce
Senior Member
Username: bruce
Post Number: 113
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 12:23 pm: |
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Dave, I thought Everett Smith was working on a project with a dash crank start outfit?? |
abm
Member
Username: abm
Post Number: 18
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 07:28 pm: |
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JB, thanks very much for the Dispro Link. I have seen the other pages but somehow must have missed the electric starter. Flywheel still doesn't look like mine but it is very interesting.
Bruce, I will talk with Evertt tomorrow. I know he is working on a Morristown launch which probably had a Morristown engine originally. But last I heard he was putting in a Kermath. Thanks also on this lead. |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 1129
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 04:34 pm: |
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ABM
Is this the type of dash crank ? If so I can look for others !
 |
foxman
Visitor
| | Posted on Saturday, June 03, 2006 - 10:28 am: |
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Dear Dave
I have the only surviving St Lawrence with a dash crank. Is is a 3 cylinder lightweight mostly aluminum engine rated at 12 hp. The crank device is complete. It is comprised of a 3/4" rod runnung through two mounts attached to the head bolts. At the flywheel end there is a bicycle like gear attached to a bike chain which attaches to a second gear mounted between the flywheel and the crankcase. This gear device has five flanges in each flange there a drilled shaft containing a steel bullet. Fitted into the said device is a second plate with what look like clock escapements cast in it, basiclly one sided teeth with a gradual lee side and a sharp side. IN THEORY when you turn the crank the bullets drop down and engage the escapement teeth and you can bounce the flywheel against compression and then the centrifugal force from the starting engine will pull the bullets back and not break your arm, face or knee. I can't say for sure what happens as I 've never tried the damn thing myself. I see the name "abm". Is this a Clayton boat museum project? I need a little more explanation about what you are trying to do. Type of engine (cylinders size_ type of boat etc.) If you like you can call at 613-774-6847. |
abm
Member
Username: abm
Post Number: 19
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 03:53 pm: |
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Foxman, thank you for the thoughtful reply. I will give you a call today. To answer the question - no it is not an ABM project. I am a trustee and volunteer at the Antique Boat Museum and spend a bunch of time working on their engines (most recently the Packard 4M2500 in Pardon Me) but this is my own project. The motor is in a 1909 L.E. Fry launch. The motor is a 2 cylinder St. Lawrence, serial number 758 10 or 12 HP. |
miro
Senior Member
Username: miro
Post Number: 231
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 04:52 pm: |
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There is a dash crank mechanism that is actually a pull starter - used in DisPro's. I have seen it on 2 cylinder copper jacket engines and I see no reason why it wouldn't work for a st Lawrence.
miro |
rbprice
Senior Member
Username: rbprice
Post Number: 201
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 10:52 pm: |
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Steve Fox's description is almost exactly like the crank starter for Stewart-Turner P55 engines. The crank, mounted to journals attached to the engine, turns a sprocket, via a small roller chain, mounted at the rear face of the flywheel. There is a sprag gear and a set of pawls mounted to the back of the flywheel and spring loaded into engagement with the sprag gear. Centrifugal force disengages the pawls when the engine starts. |
