alsfarms

Hello Mark, Please drop a note to my email address: alsfarms@hotmail.com I have a few questions for you and will comment on my project. Al

Mike, I am certainly glad to sense that you are feeling more on top of the game and back to working on your project. Al

Joe, Keep the magic coming! Al

When did Buick adopt a more typical steering gear design and move away from the Jaycox? Al

What a nice Marmon! Styling is very nice also. Enjoy your new acquisition. If you can, take a video clip of it running with the cut-out open, and post here. Al

To get 25" Firestone rims that will fit, keep on looking. They will probably show up, with patience. Or resize the 26" or 27" , work yes, but if you are in a hurry resizing is an option. None of these rims are readily available it just take time and patience to put together a set. Al

Hello Layden, I would like a bit more information on this steering gear, total length. Do you have the steering arm or mounting bracket? Please respond to my open email address. Thanks, Alan

Hello Terry, Thanks for posting the pictures of the Stirling 6 cylinder engine. Yes, the engine oil system is similar to what is used on my Locomobile, but is way more closely related to what the system is that is on the Wisconsin 4 cylinder Model "M" engine. I have a low pressure oil gauge that reads up to 10 PSI which I intend to use on the Wisconsin engine. The Stirling looks like a very robust engine! Al

I wanted to make my Locomobile a nice running and as strong a performer as possible without throwing tons of money or majorly altering the car. Yes, a very typical "improvement" is to lighten the flywheel to improve performance, which we did. I do not have the figures, for weight reduction, right in front of me but we only removed what was needed in order to facilitate the addition of the nice cast aluminum oil pump bracket. This unit required a bit of room taken up by the inner flange of the flywheel. Now when running, the engine is very responsive and the Delco dual spark distributor makes for a very good smooth running engine, and none the less, a significant reliability improvement. (The Stutz Bearcat used the same type distributor and we know how they perform). For authenticity, I incorporated the oil distribution plumbing with the original oiler and left it in place. It certainly does look nice to have the oiler in place. As mentioned, with the engine chat earlier, the oil pump discharge pressure is adjustable. When we started the engine initially, the pump was trying to put out 50 PSI. At that pressure the drive was working way hard (would have caused premature gear wear) and I do not feel that 50 PSI is needed. We backed off the PSI setting to run at 25 PSI. For this car I will probably run a pressure gauge under the hood somewhere and on the dash will simply use the original site glass that only shows flow. The fueling system that I am building will allow me to have a pressure system to keep fuel to the carb. under all conditions. The fueling system, I have designed, is an accurate to the era improvement but not original to my car. Most fellows hide an electric fuel pump somewhere to solve the fueling issue. I chose to use an original technology and am actually quite impressed with it. I hope that I have addressed your question per above. Al

I am looking for an early 1920's Buick steering column that is of the Jaycox design. Do you have a spare out of a parts car? Al

Here is additional explanation on early Locomobile engine oiling technology. On the early cars, my 1909 included, the original oiling system was by a mechanical oiler/dripper unit. This system did just what AHa above suggested. It just delivered a predetermined amount of oil to each lubrication places on the engine. In order to verify that the oilerwas "working" a visual site glass was on the dash that allowed the driver verify that the driver could simply see oil flow and thus proper oiler function. Slightly later, Locomobile began using a low pressure oil pump and a gauge like the one I now have to monitor the "oil pressure". I am guessing that the early Locomobile oil pump system would develop maybe 5 PSI at best. Al

Hello Al, I will give brassauto.com a try and see what they offer. Thanks for the reference. Al

I am looking for your loose Locomobile script gauges, either black face or silver. What have you got that is not intended for a car. Al

Does anyone know for sure that each line of demarcation, on the above gauge, represents one pound of oil pressure? Al

Does anyone know who casts up the brass passenger footrests as shown on the above Simplex speed car? Al

Kean, If you are not successful at locating the proper 25" Firestone rims, you may consider buying 26". These could be cut to fit and re-rolled/tig welded to fit the proper circumference and become 25" to fit your wheels. Al

Mike, I am glad that you have cleared out the breathing issue and are feeling better. It must be rewarding to spend good time in the shop! Al

As always, Joe, you are not only doing some brass work but this little project shows for everyone to see, (and it does look very suitable)! Al

Hello Joe, I have been away for a week or so so I have not been active posting. Thanks for looking at your spare tire bracket. The type brackets that I need are one or two lower brackets and likely two upper adjustable brackets. I hope what you have will be workable for me. Regards, Al

I am just joining this discussion on the early screen side units. I am also involved with the rebuilding of a sorry but true screen side. Mine, is a late 1922-23 however. Any pointers as to what I should look for as I go through the process to build this unit of mine (I do not want to hijack this thread)? Al

Here is a picture of a 1914 and newer black face Locomobile oil pressure gauge. Ebay is good for something once in a while! I may have a use for this gauge in the future. Al

Here is a picture of a "new" ebay purchase. It is a 1913 and newer oil pressure gauge in a brass case. It will find a use!!! Al

Hello Larry, How do these side mount brackets mount/orient to your Buick. Do you have a picture of these mounted? Al

I thought I would post a couple of pictures of an American-LaFrance cast aluminum firewall, (that is a duplicate of an original that I had cast to go on an original 1913 American-LaFrance hose car). Yes, I am building an original early (1913) American-LaFrance hose car and with the left over pieces will be building an American-LaFrance speedster. This particular new casting was made with no penetrations in the dash section which will allow me to fit the steering column and gauges where they will work the best for the speedster project. The firewall with the instrument gauge holes will be used on the original 1913 rig. I will also post a picture of an early Simplex speed car. Simplex and early American-LaFrance have a real "kinship". It is an interesting note that not only were the American-LaFrance firewalls cast aluminum, but so were the floor boards and floorboard risers. Notice the top profile shape of the Simplex firewall, it will be easy to reform the top of the cast aluminum firewall to replicate the Simplex profile on the speedster project. The inspiration for the speedster project is the Simplex speed car and a bit of Stutz Bearcat. Al

Hello Gary, Your picture of the new Indy car loosely assembled is sure making the point! What a good job you are doing and that coupled with your eye for detail. Keep up the good work. Al