| Author |
Message |
    
Jeff Ellsworth
New member
Username: jbemi
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 11:47 pm: | 
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Since reading his biography several years ago, I've been interested in automotive pioneer Ransom E. Olds and the marine engines he built and sold under his own name.
Can anyone provide a description and production dates and figures for these engines? If someone could post current photos of an original Olds engine, I would be grateful.
If I wanted to own a working example of an Olds engine, what is the likelihood I could find one, and what would I expect pay? Thank you. |
R.E. "Buzz" Bradley
New member
Username: bbrad
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 09:09 am: |
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This may not be what you're looking for but REO made some small (about 3/4 hp or so)4 cycle engines that they used on reel type lawnmowers. These same engines were supplied with an angle mount and shaft log, shaft and prop. I remember seeing one in a sporting goods store when I was a young man about 1956 or 1957. I didn't know until recently that it was a REO, I have the small engine used on the lawnmowers, a Model 211. If this is what you were referring to and want I can take a picture and send to you. |
Keith Billet
Senior Member
Username: keith
Post Number: 122
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 11:16 am: |
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I think this is what you are looking for.
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Peter Ogborne
Senior Member
Username: peterogborne
Post Number: 151
Registered: 09-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 06:02 pm: |
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Nice looking engine Keith....what is the brass spherical object at the top between the two cylinders? |
Jeff Ellsworth
New member
Username: jbemi
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 07:16 pm: |
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Thanks for the prompt replies.
Buzz, I presume an engine sold with a prop has marine applications, so yes, I would very much appreciate a photo.
Keith, great photo - what, exactly, am I seeing? If this is one of Ransom's engines, could you please describe it as best you can?
I presume Ransom must have made different models and sizes, because the unit in Keith's photo looks somewhat oversized for mounting on a push mower.
Again, thank you.
Jeff |
William Schaller
Senior Member
Username: billschaller
Post Number: 70
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 08:11 pm: |
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the lawnmower engines were air cooled. and look like a briggs and stratton at an angle. a few years ago, you could buy nos of the kit to make a reo lawnmower engine into a marine engine. these engines are common. olds hopper cooled stationary engines are not that rare, I see them at farm engine shows all the time. |
Keith Billet
Senior Member
Username: keith
Post Number: 123
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 10:28 am: |
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http://members.aol.com/reo43/ReoHistory.htm
Go to site for a brief history of REO Lawn Mowers |
Keith Billet
Senior Member
Username: keith
Post Number: 124
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
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Forgot to add a picture of the Trollabout.
 |
Keith Billet
Senior Member
Username: keith
Post Number: 125
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 11:06 am: |
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Copy of a 1943 letter Ransom E. Olds sent to Cameron Peck. Cameron was the owner of the above 2 Cylinder Gearless Olds Marine Engine at the time. Ransom was 79 years old at the time. I am more inclined to believe the engine was produced in the mid 1890's. Vertical gearless olds engines are extremely rare. I doubt that more that 5 exist. This is the only Olds Marine engine known to exist. The brass bulb is in the fuel line between the fuel pump and the blow torch that heats the hot tube. Since the fuel pump is operated by an eccentric, the pressure pulsates. The air dome helps to equalize the pressure.
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RichardDurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 1175
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
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Some of the turn of the century Marine engines had these pulsation Damper air domes on the water pumps !
1905 Termaat & Monahan
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William Schaller
Senior Member
Username: billschaller
Post Number: 71
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 03:41 pm: |
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I like this bulb.
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Peter Ogborne
Senior Member
Username: peterogborne
Post Number: 152
Registered: 09-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 06:17 pm: |
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Thanks for allowing us to see this interesting engine, beautiful piece of engineering. |
Jeff Ellsworth
New member
Username: jbemi
Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 07:58 pm: |
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Wow, you guys are good. I never expected so much really good information so quickly.
Only one original Olds marine engine known to exist....that's amazing. Still, I live in the same city where Olds lived and did business, and I like to think maybe there's one sitting forgotten in a garage or barn within a few miles of me, waiting to be found. It's probably not true, but who knows?
The above presumes most of these engines were sold near where they were made, because sending them across the country in 1890 doesn't seem very cost-effective. Is that accurate? Or did they have wider distribution?
Again, thanks for the great information. |
foxman
Visitor
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 09:49 pm: |
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One last tail end piece. The oldest of the Olds is a mysterious 4 cylinder marine engine advertised in an 1899 copy of Rudder magazine. It is from the "Olds Motor Works" which I would presume should be REO's company. The engine is a drawing of a very large engine with waist high cylinders. It is made of two solid head twins joined together and attached to a common lower crankcase half. It appears to be a four stroke although it is hard to say as little info is provided. |
