[SEL] Engine Parts - The Gig on the Dig

[fero_ah at city-net.com]

Hi Tommy,

Man, what a really KEWL idea!!  I'll check my calendar and let you know.
This is a classic engine adventure along the same lines as the Tod engine
project.  I can see a lot of wild tales that come out of this adventure.

See ya,  Arnie

Quoting Judge Tommy Turner <lcjudge at scrtc.com>:

> I should have added that I think we'll document this effort well, 
> photos, etc. as I think it would make a great GEM story.
> 
> TT
> 
> 
> 
> Judge Tommy Turner wrote:
> 
> >Anybody game to hunt for some engine parts?  Here's the "gig on the dig". 
> >
> >I acquired a 4 HP Springfield Type B that is missing parts.  Here's some 
> >background and how this story is believed to have come about.  A man 
> >named Hannebaum, from Missouri, worked in the Ohio works of the 
> >Springfield Gas Engine shop in the 1890's.  He was quite the engineer 
> >and its very possible the Type B Springfield was his design.  He moved 
> >back to Missouri, near Springfield, and either brought the patterns with 
> >him or possibly engine castings.  A few of the Type B Springfield style 
> >engines were built, tagged with the Hannebaum name.  One was a 4 (or 
> >believed to be a 4) HP that was installed in a grain elevator in 
> >Billings, MO. 
> >
> >It ran until 1945 when it was removed from service.  It was purchased 
> >and taken to a farm a few miles from town when the engine was dismantled 
> >and a wedge bolted on the piston to make a woodsplitter.  After being 
> >used a few years the engine was set in the fence row where it remained 
> >until a few years ago.  One of the family members, now in his 90's. 
> >stated that he knew all the parts for the engine were still there on the 
> >farm and knows close proximity to where they are located.  I have 
> >visited the site and believe him as its sort of like walking back in time. 
> >
> >Where he believes the parts are located has a large amount of scrap 
> >iron, junk, growth, etc and will require some work to pick through, dig, 
> >etc.
> >
> >The parts possible there include the intake and exhaust valve cage, the 
> >cross slide mechanism, the ignitor, governor, gas valve and other small 
> >parts.  This will be a bit like digging for gold.
> >
> >Now the question is, are there any folks out there game to make a 
> >digging excursion with me?  I have a friend who can bring in a skid 
> >steer and he'll spray to kill all the vegetation a couple weeks before 
> >the dig could begin.  I think the project, with 5 or 6 folks working, 
> >could be completed in a day and a half.  I've got shovels, picks, etc 
> >but I would need to access a metal detector to do the job right.
> >
> >I'd provide the meals, hotel room, and all the fire water needed.  We 
> >could gather at my place and then I'd transport everyone down to the 
> >site, which is about an 8 hour drive.
> >
> >Just something to think about.  I'll probably try to do this excursion 
> >in mid July.