VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions 1925/26 Chevy 2-cylinder motor

Ran across this yesterday as part of an estate sale. Couldn't pass it up, so now it is in my back yard.

Casting date on the head is E 8 25 (May 8, 1925). The casting date on the block was cut off, but according to Ken Kaufmann's info, the serial number (2322139) makes the block an early 1926.

John Deere magneto and unmarked updraft carb. And the good news is, it is not frozen.

Don't know when I'll get to it, but will eventually try to get it running.

Cheers, Dean

I have seen that same modification to the Model "T" engine. One of the units was in Canada and it ran rather well.

First time I have seen the Chevrolet engine used for the modification. Wouldn't mind having that unit in my collection.

Let us know when you get it running Rustoholic.

Very neat piece! Half the power, but twice the mileage!

I also remember seeing a Model T engine cut in half, I think on YouTube.

Found that Ford Model T half-engine video -

I've been messing with this engine a little.

The magneto is a Fairbanks Morse from 1926-31. It was manufactured for John Deere, for their GP model tractor.

I found that the magneto fired 40 degrees AFTER TDC, so I backed it up to fire at TDC for cylinder 1 (used to be cylinder 3).

I also marked the flywheel with a TDC mark.

The two middle valves were stuck, but after a month of soaking with ATF and a little tapping on the top with a hammer, they move freely now.

I've rigged up a small gas tank and fashioned a crank from a 7/8 inch deep socket. Will post more pictures and info when I attempt to start it.

Cheers, Dean

Update:

I've done a few more items to the engine.

I wanted to reinstall a starter motor, but the flywheel did not have a ring gear. Also, the carb was in the way of the starter motor. So, I made an intake manifold extender, replaced the 1926 flywheel with a 1928 flywheel with good teeth (it's been in my shed for 25 years), and added a '28 starter motor.

Of course, I had to add a starter switch. ;-)

Another thing I added was a small length of 2 inch pipe which acts as a tiny gas tank.

I tried to start it a few weeks ago, but it seemed like the valves were not closing completely. So, I took the head off, made sure the valves worked smoothly, and ground the valves. The cylinder walls do not seem to have any wear, so I suspect this engine was not run much. The head gasket was in good shape, so I cleaned it up and put it back on.

Today I timed the magneto to fire just after TDC with the spark ret/adv lever in the retard position.

IT LIVES!! Ran it for a short while and then shut it down (grounded the spark plugs).

Below is a video of the event. Happy happy!

Dean

really cool

Dean,

Good news when a plan comes together. Nice work.

Looks like a real fun toy to play with. I like it.

Saw a Ford two cylinder once while in Canada. It ran about like your Chevrolet.

Great job Dean! https://vccachat.org/images/icons/default/Clapping.gif

Hi all,

Time for an update on my Franken-Chevy engine (Frankie for short).

I felt this engine needed the proper setting, a cooling system, and a generator, so I went to work.

First, the setting. 26 years ago, I bought two 1928 model LO Chevy 1 ton trucks from a farm in San Jose, CA. The next owner of one of those trucks scrapped it, but I was able to save the front clip of the chassis. It was the perfect stand for Frankie. As you can imagine, this clip is heavy and clumsy to move around. I scored a 1962 Apache tent trailer from a friend of mine and it became the wheels and container for Frankie and his stand.

Next for the cooling system. I bought an unknown, frozen engine that had a cool art deco radiator from an ad on craigslist.
Turns out this was a 1937 Fairbanks Morse utility engine. The block was rusted and frozen, so I just kept the radiator and fan.

Since cylinders one and two were cut off Frankie, he did not have a water pump.

Enter Mike Quezada to save the day. One of his spare 1928 parts blocks was really beyond any hope, so he cut off the water pump housing for me. A little work with a 4 inch grinder and a couple of blocks attached to it and I had a water pump that could be driven by a pulley. I drive the water pump with a shaft that is sticking out the back of the oil gear pump assembly.

I made a heavy-duty braket to hold the radiator to the LO's front clip and added a jack shaft to run the radiator fan off the front of Frankie's crankshaft. The same fan belt also drives a generator that I mounted on the ride side rail of the truck clip.

I'm bringing Frankie in his trailer to the 55th National Meet in South Lake Tahoe, so swing by and check him out.

Pics and video below.

Cheers, Dean

Good job.

I think I saw something similar on Chatter a while ago though the earlier 1 may have been a cut down where this appears to be manufactured as a twin.
Tony

I think it is the same engine as before but with more add on's.

Yes, this is the same engine and this is the same thread of discussion.

Dean

Very cool... Thanks for sharing

Was looking through my 1929/30 repair manual and noticed the engine run-in set-up that looks like it has a two cylinder engine like yours.

Wow, can you scan the picture and post it? I'd love to see it.

Thanks, Dean

A couple of Aus army mechanics from WW2 told me they often rebuild engines at a base and to "run in" the engine they used a electric motor to drive the harmonic balancer. This engine may well be a US army version of this.
Tony

Cabboy, I looked in my 1927-28 Repair manual and the burnishing setup in my book shows a 1924-ish 4 cylinder motor as the power plant. Below is a scan of that page.

If your book shows a two cylinder power plant, please scan it and either post it or send it to me.

Thanks! Dean
dhmeltz@aol.com

Hi there, did you notice in your scan that the four cylinder block being run in is twice as long as the motor driving it? The 29/30 book shows the opposite side and four pushrods. Pretty busy right now and have to find access to a scanner so not sure when I can send you one.

I've had a lot of fun with this engine, but it is time to move on to another project. So, Frankie is for sale.

FrankenChevy For Sale Ad

Cheers, Dean

Pretty neat build! Great job!

Update: Frankie has a new home!

Yesterday, I loaded Frankie in the back of George Childs' pickup, drove 450 miles to Vista California, hooked up with John Thorpe, and donated the engine to the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum!

What a blast! This museum is a FANTASTIC place. Besides spreading out over 55 acres of very cool stuff (tractors, train stuff, cars, trucks, farm equipment, blacksmith shop, wheelwright shop), they have a huge collection of stationary engines. Frankie will join this collection and be displayed (and run!) for the public's pleasure.

If you are anywhere close to San Diego, check this place out. Here is their web site: http://agsem.com/

Cheers, Dean

P.S. The Museum has a couple of very interesting Chevys. One of them is a 1919 Model T one ton truck that is 95+% original, is in magnificent shape, and runs very well. It was in one family until it came to the Museum. The only non-original item is that great-Grandma painted the spokes and rims yellow! The truck even has the original governor on the carb with a pad lock and they have the key. Amazing!

On another note, I donated Frankie to the AGSEM but kept the little trailer that he was in. Besides getting Lurch back on the road, my next projects are two scooters and resurrecting a minibike that I built 50 years ago when I was twelve (see pic below of the Praying Mantis).

I'll use the trailer for the bikes and pull them with Justin to shows.

Dean