Mystery motor

Saw this on ebay today,says Studebaker ? Anyone know what it is. ebay #110270452356.

It is obviously either early 1920's, or if before, it is "prior art" to Sir Harry Rickardo's "turbulence" L-head combustion chamber patent. Art Rosen of Catepillar and Harry Horning of Wisconsin were friends of Rickardo and licenced users of his patent; so it is amognst their work that I would look for identification.

Ivan Saxton

Possibly Studebaker Light 6.

Ah ha, that's the same motor I saw at an estate auction back in April. The guy had a ton of Studebaker stuff, and the auctioneer was so slow I could not stand anymore and left before it was sold. Here's what it looked like them and a link to the rest of the photos

http://public.fotki.com/buzsmc/car-show-photos/auction-photos/

Dictator 8, maybe?

But why does the head look like aluminum?

It is a Studebaker Light 6 motor, 1920-1922 (and possibly early 1923). Yes, they did use an aluminum head. In 1923 they made a number of design changes including a more conventional iron head.

Joel

Does anyone know where this engine is?

The Ebay auction item location states: Concord, North Carolina

Thanx Mark!

I would love to find out a bit more on Rosen and Horning.

Did a search but wasn't very successful. Is there some where I can look.

Ta,

Manuel in Oz

Well folks........I bought the motor and drove to North Carolina to retrieve it. Here are some pictures of my treasure. I primarily purchased this motor to obtain a head and a distributor........and it was nearby. The '21 light six I have needs a new distributor; or might I say correct distributor ( Remy 626-A vs 626-K ). Long story ....the car is a very well preserved original; albeit, has an over heating problem which I traced to an incorrect distributor ( the one on the car runs it in a retarded fashion).......thus..overheat.

I have now carefully torn the engine partially down. From what I am observing the motor has not run in some time. There were six antique spark plugs mounted in the head when I started dismantling the engine (note the head was separate from the engine when I bought it). As you will note from the preceeding pictures the engine was covered in corrosion when I acquired it. I am going to try to preserve the parts I don't need and stabilize the engine from any further deterioration in the future. Over the last two or three weeks I have been dismantling and cleaning what I got. The engine will not turn over no matter how much PB Blaster or WD-40 I shoot on it.As of this posting the engine still will not turn over and it looks as though several of the pistons are rusted in their cylinders; not counting valves rusted to their guides. Today, I started to dismantle the lower end. By the way, in 1921 on the "Light Six" anyway, the pistons have to be fitted from the bottom. Note: the big end of the rod is larger than the cylinder bore. I took the head to my engine machinist for his special attention. Once I free up, and clean the engine I intend to pass it on to someone else. It looks to have a good block and crank.

I have stripped the engine of several parts which I need and some I would liked keep as spare parts. I am willing to give the remainder of what I have to some needy sole out there. What I am giving away here consists of the following: basically a 1922 model "EJ" Studebaker light six block/crank/rod, short block. As far as I can tell the basic block is rebuildable.It was a mess when I acquired it, I have cleaned it up as best as possible while in my care and have tried to preserve the parts for those who may need them in the future. If anyone out there is in need of what I consider a good rebuildable block let me know. Here are some pics.............

Interesting cylinder head design. How about a picture of the piston side of the head?

Thanks

Layden, the head is presently at the machinist having some work done on it.

Since the last post on this forum I have rebuilt part of this engine. here are some pics of my progress..................This assembly is basically set up to install with a minor amount of work. Note, my pictures of this assembly in my third post on this forum.-

Layden....Here are the pictures you sought some months ago. As you will note, several repairs where required on the head as I received it. First and foremost there was a small hole (1/4" dia) from the combustion chamber to the water jacket. Turns out it is due to thin place in the original casting that corroded away from the inside out. On top of this problem,the welsh plugs were in a very deterioated shape and required replacement. The head was also milled flat. Hear are some pics.

Well engineered unit and you seem to be doing a great job on restoration. Thanks for following up with current pictures.

A close up of the head repair.