[SEL] Headless Witte Mixer Question

[Edd Payne]

Hi Arnie.My 5hp is set up the same as yours.
EDD PAYNE
PO BOX 364 GULGONG
New South Wales  AUSTRALIA 2852
0263742387
edsingns at winsoft.net.au
----- Original Message -----
From: "Arnie Fero" <fero_ah at city-net.com>
To: "Stationary Engine List" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>; "Old Engine"
<stationary-engine at oldengine.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 7:16
Subject: [SEL] Headless Witte Mixer Question


> Hi Folks,
>
> I was just doing some work on the mixer of my 4 hp headless Witte (circa
> 1926) and noticed that the needle valve setup is "odd."
>
> The "needle" valve is flat-bottomed with a small tit at the center.
> Sitting in a hole below where the needle valve goes is a short
> rectangular floating needle that sits on the seat.  The top of this
> floating needle has a small depression that aligns with the tit on the
> adjustable part.
>
> It appears that the needle valve functions as a vertical travel limiter
> rather than as a fixed adjustment.  The engine runs fine, but it looks
> odd inside.
>
> Would those of you with headless Witte engines please take a look at your
> needle valves and let me know if they have the same setup or if they have
> a more conventional "needle" valve?  I'd like to know if this setup is
> original or some sort of kludge repair done in the engine's past.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> See ya,  Arnie
>
> PS - Also solved a nagging problem with my Bamford today.  On the last day
> of the Cotton Ginning Days show the engine just wouldn't run.  It was
> getting fuel, was timed correctly, and had a nice fat spark.  It just
> wouldn't hit!  Today in the shed I was cranking it over and noticed a nice
> fat blue spark between the plug lead and the water hopper!!  Turns out
> there was a flaw in the lead near where it clamps to the hopper!  When we
> were checking the spark the flawed part of the lead was well away from the
> hopper!  Put a new lead on and she runs sweetly again.  In the bright
> sun with background noise at the show, that side-spark just wasn't
> noticed.  In the darker, quiet shed however....  8-)))  Life is good!
>
> Arnie Fero
> Pittsburgh, PA
> fero_ah at city-net.com
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