"Stationary Engine List" - is that the same as the MG List, John? :-)
(A cheap shot at MGs, I must admit - all in good fun). Cheers, JD
-----Original Message-----
From: John Macartney [SMTP:jonmac@ndirect.co.uk]
Sent: April 10, 2000 4:24 PM
To: Triumphs List
Subject: Non Triumph - help needed
Friends
Over the last 48 hours, I've come to the conclusion that those who
populate this list are
arguably one of the most helpful groups anywhere in the world - even
when the subject
isn't Triumph. Three days ago, I subscribed to another list called
owner-stationary-engine@atis.net and posted the missive to them
which I've copied below.
Despite two subsequent requests for ANY kind of help, I'm still
being ignored. Is there
just a chance that one of you out there might be able to point me to
another stationary
engine list that does seek to offer help to new joiners? Don't worry
about the Ruston
Hornsby unit - that's UK built. It's the Goold Shapley Muir engine
that's of key interest.
Sorry for the non-Triumph nature but I've already run out of 'net
ideas.
Cheers
Jonmac
ORIGINAL OUTGOING POST
I have subscribed on behalf of a good friend who by his own
admission isn't too well
versed on computers, email and the 'net. What's more, he's not too
inclined at his age to
learn !
His name is Bill and we live next door to one another both sharing
an interest in anything
mechanical.
Two weeks ago, Bill achieved a life-long dream and acquired a 1929
Ruston and Hornsby 8hp
S.E. (stationary engine) that had been fully restored. He bought it
from a relative and it
came back here on
Bill's car trailer together with a sawbench and another S.E. that
I'll describe in a
moment.
As far as the Ruston is concerned, both of us would like to know as
much as possible about
this unit's quirks and foibles, together with adjustments one can
make and details of
URL's or other Ruston enthusiasts who are UK based. It goes without
saying that a global
identification of other Ruston users would be great to have as well.
Can do?
The second S.E. is of particular interest to us. It's a Goold
Shapley and Muir, serial
number 11203 and rated at 2.5hp at 400rpm. It is claimed to have
been made in 1912 but the
serial # would hopefully confirm or deny this? The GSM came to Bill
as part of the Ruston
package. His relative told him that he bought it in a scrapyard in
Canada with a view to
cleaning it up and getting it to work 'properly' even though it was
in working order at
the time of purchase. As plans are often diverted because of life's
events, the GSM didn't
get worked on and returned to England with its former owner at least
25 years ago when he
retired. It has since spent its life in almost 'natural conditions'
and has been neither
run or worked on. Today, Bill cleaned up the outer structure with a
large tin of kero and
an old paintbrush and almost as an afterthought, tipped an
eggcupfull of petrol into the
carb and gave it a gentle swing.
"Tonk" - a definite indication of combustion.
Another slightly more exuberant swing and tonk tonk tonk ad
infinitum etc.
We both stood there, utterly gobsmacked watching it plonking away
after a 25 year sleep
with nary a care in the world and after starting on the second
swing. We'd be most
grateful for as much info on the GSM as possible, together with
details of anyone in the
UK/US who has one. Could it be the only one here?
Many thanks
John Macartney
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