Trained Monkey

:oI think I posted this in another thread, but after reading the first post here (again) I wanted to put this in the right place.... <http://cdm15017.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p268001coll12&CISOPTR=1395&REC=3>

21 Raceabout, I have found (again) the letter from Hemp to my father which tells the tale. The engine was one built by a Carl Smith who built a racecar from a Mercer passenger car in the 1930's. The car was entered in a 1931 or 1932 Indy race but was unble to qualify. I do not currently have a picture of the block but will post one when I get another chance to make a parts run. as to your closing question, the ports are on the passenger side between and slightly below the 1/2 + 3/4 exhaust ports. I would love to see a picture of the carb set-up for that would have worked. (the original carb port is covered by a bolt on blank off plate.) Edit: on further investigation, in the same letter, Hemp mentions that YOU inherited the 1922 Raceabout that he owned back in 1940 from your father. It even lists your CT address which I just looked up on white pages.com, only to find you listed in Cape Neddick. What a riot!

How can I identify year make model of a duesenberg front axle assembly? All I know right now is that it has drum brakes and the center section is made of tubing. Any info and/ or Pictures would be appreciated. TM

Can anyone fill me in on the possibility of a dual carb block for a series 5 raceabout? Was this a factory option or a hardcore race mod? I think "uncle hemp" mentioned it in a letter some years ago.

Dwilson, In responce to your querry on info regarding series 6 mercers I am posting the following which was sent to me by the Library of Congress in response to my persuit of a "chiltons manual" for my series 5. I have also sent it directly to your yahoo address as requested. I just figured some of the folks on here might enjoy it as well. "I was sending you the Worldcat Mercer records and discovered that the Hagley Museum and Library has digitized the Mercer Motor Cars book. > > See Hagley Digital Archives Compound Object Viewer Cheers! > Ms. Jennifer J. Harbster, MLIS > Digital Reference Specialist > Recommending Officer Mathematics > Science, Technology, and Business Division > Library of Congress " Hope it helps! TM

21Raceabout, My father did relay the message, hopefully next time I make a parts run I will have enough time off to visit you and your car. As for the original topic of this thread (a how to manual) I may have found it! I visited an old highschool buddy who is working on a pulling truck (Think Fryeburg fair style) he had a book from the 30's "Dykes Automobile And Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia (20th edition)". It contained all the detailed information I was looking for, everything from how to pour babbit, to torque settings and such. Aparently it was a general mechanics shop guide and had info for all makes from the timeframe. I was stunned to see maintenance info for T heads and L-heads and even aircraft engines in the same book. He had been loaned the book by an old downeaster friend and couldn't let me borrow it but at least I have a direction to look into now! ( Found a few on e-bay and amazon.)

I got some more pieces today! The body and frame are here and I am about to begin working on it. before I do though I wanted to get the comunity opinion about the scope of the project because a friend indicated that the car might have more apeal if left in the condition it is in and simply reassembled and made to run. Is this the case or would it be a better idea to do a full frame-up restoration? As i dont have any pictures to show at the moment I will say that the sheet metal is in suprisingly good condition but the paint has flaked off in some places and surface rust has settled in in it's place.

Thanks for the advice, I found Mr Greenlees on the web and talked to him this morning. He advised against a reproduction crankcase on the basis of a prohibitive cost. After hearing the pricetag, I am inclined to agree:eek:.

AK, I assume you are refering to the water intake that goes atop the head. I have not taken a full inventory of the parts I have, but I do have a decent condition water manifold that a friend of mine who has been playing with aluminum casting for a few years might be able to duplicate at low cost. Fred Hoch told me that this a frequently needed part. Most of my parts are quite a distance from me but the next time i go I will check.

Stude8 If I am correct, you are referring to Jack Libaire's raceabout which was sold last year, at auction. It was red with black fenders in the pictures I have seen. I did some research and got his contact information, he told me the story of the repro blocks and gave me Fred Hoch's number. Mr Hoke told me that it was just the block sections that were cast and that he knew of no reproduction crank cases. He also told me that there are no more timing chains to be had. I have found a shop near me that deals with antique engine rebuilding (Aldrich) and his visual inspection indicates that my crank section is safe for use. My only intrest in having spares made would be that pre-problems seems like the best time to do so.

Ivan, Thank you so much for taking the time to type the forward and description. It is in fact exactly what I have already. It was sent to my grandfather with a 1959 (12C Benjamin Harrison) stamp from a person named Granger F. Hill. My post here was in hopes that something may have surfaced since then that might be more precise. My previous restoration experience has been with 1960's era cars which has afforded me the luxury of "manufacturers assembly manuals" which are written to give such detailed information that any newly hired person in the plant could simply read and understand what tool and procedure was needed to get propper fit and function. Stude8 Upon closer inspection my original has a cover page but seems to start on page 5. If you would like a copy let me know. As for what is on PG 5 it is simply the "Preface".

Ivan, Thank you for the offer to copy the workshop manual, I do appreciate it. I have not taken you up on it because I believe I may already have a copy, which is why i was asking for a picture of the cover page. I would not want anyone to go to any undue trouble on my behalf. As for the monicer it was a nickname earned in my early days as a P-3 mainetnance technician which relates to my hotmail account and is my standard for all forums. I wasn't trying for any annonimity, though my father has cautioned me against being overly public about the Mercer. Stude8 I have an original of the parts manual as well as a copy I would be happy to make photocopies of the missing pages for you, if you would like (I am pretty sure mine is complete). Trimacar/ AK Sorry if I seemed heated in my post, I was honestly seeking clarification on the matter. In the other forums I post to people are concerned with the ease of locating information and like to keep threads to one topic. I see the logic to that and it appeals to me. After reading just about every post on the mercer topic here I see that the tangent posts are the norm. Being new here I will simply adjust my paradigm, no harm no foul. keiser31 Thanks for the lead. Cben09 No need, it's their house not mine, I'll play by their rules.

I think you might have better luck if you ask for specific items, in my experience people who have mercers don't seem to be forthcoming with what spare parts they have. It makes sense for us to hang on to what we have since there is a good chance that we will need any spare parts for our own cars at some point and dwindling sources for procurement. I have noticed (through historical references associated to my mercer) that as a whole the group is happy to help with finding parts, duplicating existing pieces, forwarding information and occasionally loaning out pieces to help get duplicates made. I would be happy to help you find/ make what you need if you will just say specifically what it is you need. My mercer is in pieces right now so it would not be too much trouble to provide photos and measurement specs. I also have a good deal of fabrication experience and access to tremendous resources for producing replacement parts. On the off chance you are in the market for something as imposing as a new aluminum crank case, please contact me. I have a good one for measurements, and would love to have a spare, but the price to have just one made is a bit prohibitive. If you or others would be willing to split the cost, it would be beneficial to all involved.

Gentlemen, Pardon the flamespray but in what way shape or form do the last nine posts to this thread relate to the assembly manual for a 1921 raceabout? Is it a habbit of the senior members of this forum to hijack a thread into any tangent direction? I am new to this forum and it's customs but in my experience on other threads that is considered very rude and would result in being barred from posting for a period of time. If thread hihacking is a norm for this site please let me know. I only started this new thread to avoid hijacking other peoples with my topic. I await your (on-topic) replies .

Thanks for the replies, trimacar: I hadn't considered a book, that could well be the case. Ivan Saxton: I am working on a 1921 L-head 4 cyl. do you know if the same holds true for the conrod bolts on the 4? I am having Aldrich Engine Rebuilding do my engine work (nicely organized machine shop, experienced at babbit work in house) so any tidbits I can send him could be of benefit (he said the same thing about the line bore of the mains. Side note to all: I have been offered the use of a CNC Laser cutter. If anyone has a timing chain sitting on a shelf that they wouldn't mind loaning out I may be able to fix that availability issue in somewhat short order. Fred Hoch told me there are none to be had and I would be happy to help. I plan to call him again today and extend this offer directly.

Hello to all, I am just getting into the restoration of a Raceabout, and spoke with Mr Hoch on the Phone recently. He told me that there was a instruction book of some sort that was available at considerable cost to copy. I am writing in hopes that one of you may be able to post a picture of the cover so that i can see if it is the same as the one Granger F. Hill sent my grandfather years ago. I would rather not spend that cost only to get something that i already have. Thanks.