[SEL] Getting my first engines!

[fero_ah at city-net.com]

Hi Ash,

WELCOME to the list and to an addictive hobby.

You've made some excellent choices for your first engines.  There's a ton of
info, parts, advice, etc. available on the IHC "M" and on the Lister "D".  I
don't know anything about the R&T.  With engines like that you can learn all of
the basics of doing a restoration (of whatever kind suits you), getting the
engines running well, and most importantly, taking your engines out to rallies
where you get to jaw with your mates, drink beer, and watch the pretty sheilias
stroll by.  I assume that you lot have shelias at your rallies?  8-))

As to the type of restoration, after doing up the mechanical bits so that it
runs well, your next decision is cosmetics.  There their tends to be two
schools of thought; keep it in it's "working clothes" with maybe a spritz of an
oil/kero mix or boiled linseed oil to bring up the color and give it just a bit
of shine, or sandblast and do a full gloss paint job.  Personally, I lean
toward the former.  If, as time passes, you can't abide how she looks, you can
always sandblast and paint.  But you can't "unrestore" that full gloss paint
job.

Two pieces of advice.  Put your engines on trollys.  Shifting this heavy old
iron around when it's on skids is just plain WORK.  Second, be prepared to
house MORE old engines.  When left alone in your shed, the things breed like
your boody Aussie rabbits!  Today you have three.  Next year at this time
you'll have 30!  Trust me on this point.  8-))

I'd like to welcome you to the list and to the hobby by offering you a present.

If you'll send me your snail mail address (off list) I'll mail you a copy of a
really neat color advert that I have for the IHC "M".  It's two sheets (each
11"x17") that discuss the unique features of the "M" and how it works to help
the farmer make his farm operation more profitable.  If you laminate them it
makes a great addition to your rally field exhibit and helps the punters to
understand what these old engines were all about and what they did when they
were working for a living.

See ya,  Arnie

Arnie Fero
Pittsburgh, PA USA
fero_ah at city-net.com

Quoting Ash Powell <ashpow at westnet.com.au>:

> Well ive been lurking for a while now while I found some engines, finally 
> had some luck!
> 
> Ill be getting an International "M" 3hp, a Lister "D" and a Ronaldson & 
> Tippet "N" (parts only apparently for the R&T)