[SEL] "Vincent Industrial Power" Engine.

[Jerry Evans]

Hi Guys,
         I've been a bit quiet on the lists laltely. I hope you are all well.

          I went on an engine hunt 3 weeks ago with a few friends. We 
brought some nice stuff back (webpage will follow one of these days!).

         The one I want to discuss does not fall under the "nice stuff 
category" for these 2 lists anyway. It is not a "hit 'n miss" engine - it 
is not even a very old engine (1955) but I'd like to discuss it.

         I got (amongst others) a small "Vincent Industrial Power" engine 
and after a little work on the carburettor it is now running. Research on 
the net has provided the following information:

         1) Produced by the same company that made the "VINCENT" 
motorcycles. Anyone interested in motorcycles will respect this very 
revered name.
         2)  This "engine" was made in 1955 and there are not many 
survivors (to my knowledge) ! It was produced by the Vincent company when 
they realised that they were in financial difficulties as a "possible" 
"broadening of the base" to try to save the company.
         3) it is a very small (I think mine is 70 cc's) 2 stroke engine 
and it makes a lot more noise than a Maytag and it smokes a lot as well but 
I'll probably be able to control this once I learn more about it.
         4) It was produced as a "power unit" for lawnmowers, compressors, 
gensets or anything else needing a small "power plant".

         I'd like to share some thoughts on this engine but would like to 
first apologise to our British friends on these lists, as, what I have to 
say, may not be to their liking.

         My comments:
         a) Thank goodness that the Japanese (Honda, Suzuki et al) did not 
copy this engine.
         b) I'm so glad that I never bought a machine (lawnmower or 
sumsuchlike) that was powered by one of these.
         c) It's just like a "British Motor bike" - very temperamental 
(maybe that is why we loved them - oil leaks and all). I owned a 650cc 
Triumph Thunderbird. (approx 1964). I could start mine "first kick" but 
could never start my mates bike and he could never start mine. They were 
each individual and you had to know "just where" to hold the throttle and 
"just where" to have the kick start pedal and just how much to "tickle" the 
carburettor. Magic, they were !!

         d) I'm learning how to start the "Vincent" but it does not behave 
the same way each time! Not like a modern (Japanese) two stroke - open the 
fuel and pull the cord!. No, the "Vincent" is typical of the old British 
bikes - you gotta know "just" how to do it. I've started it every night for 
about the last 7 days and each time I've battled to find it's "happy 
medium". Great is it not! - isn't that what this damn hobby (sickness) is 
all about?

         e) I do love this little engine if only because of it's historical 
significance (I put it down to "one of those that never made the grade"). 
It is a badly designed, "horrible","noisy", "smoky" little engine, designed 
in a hurry with no thought given to (later) maintenance, but, they are all 
important because they were all part of the evolution of the modern "small 
engine".

         That's my "bit". Sorry that it was not about something really 
glamorous but it does have a "spark plug'
and it does work on the "internal combustion principle".

         ( I also know that there are other "lists" and "forums" more 
concerned with this type of engine - but I do not belong to any of them - 
so you guys are "it".)









Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>