Thanks for the video. I have a 1917 3HP Z ENGINE which is throttle governed with a plug oscillator , and was not aware that Fairbanks Morse made a Hit n Miss . Never to old to learn .😉 !
It's so great to see this video!! I found [and still have] one exactly like this one in 1972. Way before the internet, which brought me to this. I haven't had mine running for years but am going to get it running again and hope to power a line shaft machine shop I put together many years ago. I use a big electric motor to run it all the time but I have a smaller throttle governed enclosed crank that I've used before. I just want to get this out and running again. Mine still has the tin box with the knife switch and a model T coil like this one. When I dragged it out of a junk yard in 1972 the rocker arm was broken and missing but I figured that I could make something to braze on that would work but it would be a lot of trouble and thought. Imagine my happiness and surprise when in cleaning out all the junk in the water hopper I found that whoever broke the rocker arm off in the past was thoughtful enough to put it the the water hopper to be found! I brazed it up and it worked great. I had it running for years [after much trouble without the help of the internet] and with a load on the flywheels it would keep certain RPMs pretty well. I need 250 RPMs on the main shaft so the spring trick I just learned will most likely to come in handy. That and a bunch of pulleys. I'm so grateful to see this! Mine also has the same [but weary and rusted out] gas tank too. I now see one can even buy a new gas tank! Who'da thought?
@@Radiotexas Thanks very much! I have spent many hours trying to find anything about this engine and can find nothing [as you mentioned]. Have you found that this engine had a designation other than the Z? In the new world where one can find so much info on the internet I see that gas tanks are even available! When I get mine off the 'engine shelf' I'll be able to inspect everything and see if I need one or I can solder up what I have. I will try to figure out how to send a picture to you of mine soon. I am so happy to get back to this engine! It ran perfectly in 1972 but I didn't have anything to power at that time. I have decided to abandon my dream of getting a steam engine going that I was going to run my shop with finished and am going whole hog on this engine. It's quite a good story how I got it in the first place and it means a lot to me. Thanks Radiotexas!
I remember a good trick I figured out when my engine was running and it's a great way to start it when it doesn't want too. I'd pull it through a couple of times to get some gas in it and then quickly [without thumbs engaged] push the flywheels backwards to engage the spark under reverse compression and just hold it there for a second or two buzzing. Lots of time the prolonged spark would finally fire an over fueled or weak spark situation. Just be ready to let the flywheels go...........
Thanks for sharing. Love this old stuff. We didn’t own anything like this, but my dad took me to local antique tractor shows and events. Ironically, we also had a Model N railroad layout we tinkered with.
Great work on that rare engine !! ......A good, clean Contacts, connections & wiring Properly Adjusted buzz Box should run Good off 6 volts.....Sometimes the Internal 0.22 uF 400 volt Condenser (Usually Buried within the wood Buzz box) goes "open" & Reduces the spark Intensity......New or Rebuilt boxes are available.....
We really had to clean those contacts Tom. I've used some vibrators in amateur radio equipment and often VERY aggressive cleaning is necessary. After running the engine a while AND having to readjust the contacts a couple of times I was thinking about trying it on 6 volts just to see. The cap was replaced before I got the coil by the way. Thanks very much for your comment!
Thanks for the great explanation and demonstration of a unique governor mechanism. I wasn't aware that FM ever made anything but throttlers in the Z series.
Your Z is a beautiful engine. I myself rebuilt a 1 1/2 1918 Z compression was not high due to pitting on the cylinder. I had a machine shop bore and sleeve it. The points were modified from original and now it’s a running machine.
Great video, lots of detail! That is quite a find! We recently bought an engine that needs a buzz coil, nice to see the information. Weird Detroit Engine Works 3 Hp 2 stroke reversible vertical boat motor with a cooling water pump.
Nice Jay! I got that IHC 6HP running very good. Previous owner saw it online and asked to have it once again, so off it went. Now looking for the next victim, this is like sugar, very hard to quit…
Too much smoke (grey) usually means it is running too rich. Either needs for air or less fuel. Use the choke valve to accomplish this as in the video. Hope this helps!
This is really nice, Jay. Thank you for sharing your adventures. What? No Morse code whilst testing the buzz box? 😿 Good call on the choke issue. I would have suspected fuel delivery. 👍 I have extreme curiosity about the hit-and-miss mechanism. I will look it up to see if I can “see” it.
I actually did test it with a Morse key.... gotta be careful as there is a LOT of current! Only two things will keep and engine from starting... fuel delivery and spark. Of course, adjustment of same is what makes them RUN!! Thanks!!
My engine does not have a magneto! Spark is generated by buzz coil. For a magneto engine, make sure your magneto is attached to the engine with a good electrical contact to the frame! ALL electric circuits require two paths, the "spark" from the mag and a return to the ground (chassis).
We use ours to run an oil pump jack, make home made ice cream, grind corn and this one will soon operate a pecan cracker! Watch for a new video on that this fall. Thanks for your comment!
Jay.. thanks for replying.. I think the timing is right.. I lined key on crank with dimple on small gear.. that leaves valves closed... Right?? Still the mag will eat you up on bench but nothing at all bolted on engine.. I can lay mag up on top engine.. it will throw blue spark.. soon as I bolt it down... Nothing
I would have took the old spring 2 the hard ware store and matched it up 2 the closest I could find even the same spring tension also 😊😊 OMG 11 1O 2O23
Amazing-- thanks for putting another informative & significant historical video together, Jay-- so great to learn about these vintage engines.
Thanks for the video. I have a 1917 3HP Z ENGINE which is throttle governed with a plug oscillator , and was not aware that Fairbanks Morse made a Hit n Miss . Never to old to learn .😉 !
Glad it helped. Thanks for the comment!
Yet another superb video.
In a moment of weakness.... Laynie understands. 😂
Careful around that buzzbox.... don't get "bit"!
Another fantastic video and project!
It's so great to see this video!! I found [and still have] one exactly like this one in 1972. Way before the internet, which brought me to this. I haven't had mine running for years but am going to get it running again and hope to power a line shaft machine shop I put together many years ago. I use a big electric motor to run it all the time but I have a smaller throttle governed enclosed crank that I've used before. I just want to get this out and running again. Mine still has the tin box with the knife switch and a model T coil like this one. When I dragged it out of a junk yard in 1972 the rocker arm was broken and missing but I figured that I could make something to braze on that would work but it would be a lot of trouble and thought. Imagine my happiness and surprise when in cleaning out all the junk in the water hopper I found that whoever broke the rocker arm off in the past was thoughtful enough to put it the the water hopper to be found! I brazed it up and it worked great. I had it running for years [after much trouble without the help of the internet] and with a load on the flywheels it would keep certain RPMs pretty well. I need 250 RPMs on the main shaft so the spring trick I just learned will most likely to come in handy. That and a bunch of pulleys. I'm so grateful to see this! Mine also has the same [but weary and rusted out] gas tank too. I now see one can even buy a new gas tank! Who'da thought?
Thanks very much. Let me know if I can help!
@@Radiotexas Thanks very much! I have spent many hours trying to find anything about this engine and can find nothing [as you mentioned]. Have you found that this engine had a designation other than the Z? In the new world where one can find so much info on the internet I see that gas tanks are even available! When I get mine off the 'engine shelf' I'll be able to inspect everything and see if I need one or I can solder up what I have. I will try to figure out how to send a picture to you of mine soon. I am so happy to get back to this engine! It ran perfectly in 1972 but I didn't have anything to power at that time. I have decided to abandon my dream of getting a steam engine going that I was going to run my shop with finished and am going whole hog on this engine. It's quite a good story how I got it in the first place and it means a lot to me. Thanks Radiotexas!
I remember a good trick I figured out when my engine was running and it's a great way to start it when it doesn't want too. I'd pull it through a couple of times to get some gas in it and then quickly [without thumbs engaged] push the flywheels backwards to engage the spark under reverse compression and just hold it there for a second or two buzzing. Lots of time the prolonged spark would finally fire an over fueled or weak spark situation. Just be ready to let the flywheels go...........
I can't wait to get mine going, thank for the inspiration.
Thanks for sharing. Love this old stuff. We didn’t own anything like this, but my dad took me to local antique tractor shows and events. Ironically, we also had a Model N railroad layout we tinkered with.
Very cool! Thanks!
Great work on that rare engine !! ......A good, clean Contacts, connections & wiring Properly Adjusted buzz Box should run Good off 6 volts.....Sometimes the Internal 0.22 uF 400 volt Condenser (Usually Buried within the wood Buzz box) goes "open" & Reduces the spark Intensity......New or Rebuilt boxes are available.....
We really had to clean those contacts Tom. I've used some vibrators in amateur radio equipment and often VERY aggressive cleaning is necessary. After running the engine a while AND having to readjust the contacts a couple of times I was thinking about trying it on 6 volts just to see. The cap was replaced before I got the coil by the way. Thanks very much for your comment!
Thanks for the great explanation and demonstration of a unique governor mechanism. I wasn't aware that FM ever made anything but throttlers in the Z series.
Thanks! I really learned a lot myself!
Your Z is a beautiful engine. I myself rebuilt a 1 1/2 1918 Z compression was not high due to pitting on the cylinder. I had a machine shop bore and sleeve it. The points were modified from original and now it’s a running machine.
Thank you! I'm getting ready to put this one a pecan cracker!
Great video, lots of detail!
That is quite a find!
We recently bought an engine that needs a buzz coil, nice to see the information.
Weird Detroit Engine Works 3 Hp 2 stroke reversible vertical boat motor with a cooling water pump.
Glad it was helpful! I learned a lot working on it.
Nice Jay! I got that IHC 6HP running very good. Previous owner saw it online and asked to have it once again, so off it went. Now looking for the next victim, this is like sugar, very hard to quit…
Hope you got something for your efforts! Yup, candy!
Love it Jay. Always wanted a hit and miss for our farms sourgum smasher. Something fun to watch other than a tractor.
Check out some of my other videos! We use one to make ice cream and another runs an oil pump jack!
Thank you for sharing!!
I love your engine! Great find !
Thanks!
You done did it again! Great Stuff! Suggest you keep the "Run Slow" spring installed. It better matches your own speed...
Very informative video. Thanks
very nice.i used to have a z 1 1/2 throttel gov.used to boil
eggs while craking corn.
That's hysterical! Took me a second but I got it!!!! Thanks!
I also have one of those, it's twin a 3hp throttler with the AB mag...... And a 2 hp dish plan from 1923
Evening, im from England and have just purchased a 1 1/2 hp model dishpan
What a pretty red engine!!!! I'm sooo sure Laynie loves it!!!!
Of course!
You will need to adjust the chock or / and the main jet. As you change the engine speed. To keep it dialed in to one hit between misses.
Hey Jay, I just picked up a 2hp fairbanks morse Z and was wondering how to adjust my carburetor so it's less smokey? Other than that, it runs great 👍
Too much smoke (grey) usually means it is running too rich. Either needs for air or less fuel. Use the choke valve to accomplish this as in the video. Hope this helps!
This is really nice, Jay. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
What? No Morse code whilst testing the buzz box? 😿
Good call on the choke issue. I would have suspected fuel delivery. 👍
I have extreme curiosity about the hit-and-miss mechanism. I will look it up to see if I can “see” it.
I actually did test it with a Morse key.... gotta be careful as there is a LOT of current! Only two things will keep and engine from starting... fuel delivery and spark. Of course, adjustment of same is what makes them RUN!! Thanks!!
I wish they would make equipment half as good as this tofay
What were they used for?...
What was the point of the hit-and-miss firing cycle? Fuel consumption?
I think it was cheap to make and maybe used less fuel.
If you want to really slow the engine down put a weaker spring inside the govenor shell.
I've got one.. the mag hits on the workbench.. but not on engine
My engine does not have a magneto! Spark is generated by buzz coil. For a magneto engine, make sure your magneto is attached to the engine with a good electrical contact to the frame! ALL electric circuits require two paths, the "spark" from the mag and a return to the ground (chassis).
Of course make sure the timing is right.... but you should get a spark at some point in anycase.
I've been looking for a good hit and miss engine, I have a idea for a good business that I can use one for
We use ours to run an oil pump jack, make home made ice cream, grind corn and this one will soon operate a pecan cracker! Watch for a new video on that this fall. Thanks for your comment!
Any help??
Jay.. thanks for replying.. I think the timing is right.. I lined key on crank with dimple on small gear.. that leaves valves closed... Right?? Still the mag will eat you up on bench but nothing at all bolted on engine.. I can lay mag up on top engine.. it will throw blue spark.. soon as I bolt it down... Nothing
Any help would be greatly appreciated... Thanks Jay again for replying
Type e mag
I would have took the old spring 2 the hard ware store and matched it up 2 the closest I could find even the same spring tension also 😊😊 OMG 11 1O 2O23
Yup! Good hardware stores have boxes with a variety of springs to choose from.