[SEL] Good stuff happens / Witte CD serial no.

[Jerry Evans]

Hi all of you great people in engine land,

         Seeing as that most people only read the first paragraph let me 
get the main question over and done with.

         I have a 12 H.P. Witte CD Diesel. Tank cooled - not radiator 
cooled. Do any of you great guru's know if there is a serial number 
"stamped" anywhere on or in the engine and where? (Dave, "Yes" does not 
qualify as an answer :-)).  Mine was without a plate when I got it. I've 
asked this question in the past (also of David Johnson on Smokstak) but 
have never got an answer. I've searched all over the engine without luck. I 
really would like to know the serial number and if I can find it anywhere 
on the engine. I've looked at all the obvious/normal/usual places 
(crankshaft ends, flywheels etc.) without luck so unless someone who 
actually knows the answer can tell me to look at a specific point/place on 
these engines then your "guess" would be no better than I already have and 
worthless to me.

         O.K. You guys who only read the first paragraph can hit the 
"Delete" key now as I'm going to explain the other part in the "Good stuff 
happens" subject of this mail. (And it could go on for a long time !!)

         I was given this Witte CD a few years ago (actually November 2007):
  <http://www.oldengine.org/members/evans/witte/index.htm>
         It had a few missing parts which I managed to import from the USA 
(David Johnson). Now it's waiting for me to get off my rear end and restore it.

         About 2 weeks ago I received an e-mail from someone in the area 
where the engine came from - he is an old guy (aren't we all?) and is 
"cleaning up". He had, amongst other things, an original manual for this 
engine as well as the original packing/shipping documents for 2 of these 
engines to South Africa. My heart rate hit the roof (but another "Brandy & 
Coke" stabilised it). Would it not be fantastic if these shipping documents 
(dated 1947) were actually for my engine? There were not many Witte CD's 
brought to South Africa - being part of the British Commonwealth most of 
our engines came from Britain.

         I took the plunge and today decided to drive to the "Big City" and 
collected the documents from him (as well as a box full of other old 
manuals, pamphlets and similar stuff). On the way home I realised that this 
was going to be a "Brandy & Coke" evening and stopped off at the local 
liquor outlet and stocked up. :-)

         So far I've only opened the old "buff coloured" (kraft paper) 
Witte envelope. Packing slips (in that old blue print from early 
duplicating machines (Banda, Gestetner, Roneo et al)are all intact as is 
the operators manual - AND - the manual refers to the same engine that I 
have (although not necessarily to my engines serial number).

         Would it not be incredible if these documents actually are for my 
engine ?

         O.K. Guy's 'n Gals - that's all for tonight - gotta pour another 
one and get deeper into that box.


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>