alsfarms

Hello Mike, The Locomobile used a "T' bolt similar to a wooden wheel, wood fello retaining "T" bolt to anchor the fello to the rim. The same idea to mount the wood bow to the folding irons. I am sure the "T" bolt design was to minimize the side flex on that connection that would or could end up splitting the wood bow. The "T" bolt would be formed around the wood bow to put the squeeze on the bow when the retaining bolt is tightened down. What are you going to do for your rear window? Al

Hello Dave, Do you happen to have a Screenside bottom seat frame? If so could you take a good picture that will show me the details that I would need to keep in place if I modify a touring seat base. If anyone else could take a picture of the seat base it would be very helpful. Al

Hello Mike, I am not trying to pollute your Humberette thread here but by your request, here is a larger copy of an original factory release picture of a 1909 Locomobile Model L Toy Tonneau. This is the came car that I am getting on with restoration. Watching your thread has got me charged up to bend my own top bows to fit the top assembly. I am scouting out a couple of 8 quart pressure cookers as we speak. This picture was taken just outside the Locomobile factory in Bridgeport Conn. and as you can see, right on the Atlantic shoreline Regards, Al

Note: For general steam questions and inquiries please note and use the already existing Steam forum found elsewhere in this AACA forum site. Al

Here is my second question. When did Locmoobile stop production of the steam car. I would hope that the historians among us have that date naile3d down to a very exact Month and Day. Al

Here is my first question. Does anyone have an accurate count of Locomobile Steam cars. I am not sure that the HCCA or even the AACA has an accurate count. Al

Hello Everyone, I thought I would open a specific chat location for Locomobile steam enthusiasts to gather for chatting, references, parts acquisitions both buying and selling. It would also be nice to share ideas, things learned to do and not do as well as information directly relevant to the early Locomobile steam car. If you have something to say, or have parts being duplicated, or need parts duplicated, visit here and speak up. Nothing ever happens unless we make it happen! Al

Mike, What I am trying to replicate is the top that is show on the original factory photo of the same model Locomobile as I am working on. See my small AVATAR picture to the left. Al

Hello Mike, Are you using Formed "T" bolts to wrap partially around the wood hoop on the outside and then snug up with a nut on the inside of the irons? Or are you just using a bolt and nut? My project will be very similar to yours and I plan to use a "T" bolt to fix the bow to the top irons. I like how your hoop is finished on the end. I will try to match what you done. I have no wood to even use as a pattern! Al

c49er, Thanks for your response. I have been doing some deep thinking on my question and now have a second and follow up question on this same question. My 1937 DeSoto currently has the factory original engine still in place. The 265 engine I have purchased is a later version of the 265 and is out of a fork lift, so it is an industrial version. I am now wondering if I were to use the head off the 1937 DeSoto engine if it may actually be better for compression that using the Spitfire head. I will be rebuilding the 265 and using all the pieces from the '37 DeSoto engine to assemble the 265 for automobile use. Anyone with experience here please share your thoughts. Al

Hello Dave, thanks for picking and responding to my needs on this thread. Yes, You helped me out with the quarter panel and some a couple of "C" pieces. I feel I do have doors to use, patterns for the top wood have been offered to me. I am still trying to figure out the back cab panel. If you look up on this thread, further up, I have posted a picture of the EBAY back cab panel. Take a look and give your observations about it being a Dodge Bros. piece or not. Currently I am still in need of, one quarter panel (I can duplicate from the one I bought from you if needed), back cab panel, seat base (I can modify a touring seat base to fit if needed). I do have a windshield assembly, upper seat folding arms, correct gas tank, engine and rest of running gear (runs). Parts I would like to locate; better front fenders, headlights and other body parts as listed above. Regards, Alan

Hello Mike, I am so happy for you actually getting to the good part of your restoration project, the fitting and assembly! You are lucky in two regards, one to have a dear wife that is willing to help out and two, to have a good friend, like Robert, to lend a hand to help out! I am happy to say that I am also blessed with an understanding wife! I wish I had a wood savy friend like Robert, but I don't! For me its just learn as I go. Fortunately, with your postings, on wood bending, I now have the courage to get into wood bending for my projects and not rely on some other shop to get me what I think I need. I will be able to measure up and get exactly what i need and want! Give your dear wife and buddy a thumbs up from me. Regards, Al

Hello Mickey, What year and Model is your car? That will help us to help you. Do you have the bulk of the big stuff, engine, trans., chassis? The later Locomobiles actually did have an air pump to provide pressure to feed the fuel system to the carb. Some cars were fitted with a Kellogg air compressor that could be engaged to help with flat tire repairs. Pictures of your project are also helpful. Where are you located? Lets see if we can help you out. Regards, Al

I have a 1937 DeSoto Coupe project. I have acquired a later series Chrysler 265 to rebuild and install in the car. My question, of those with more knowledge than I is this; Will installing a Spitfire head, on the rebuilt 265 help or hurt performance? Help is appreciated. Al

Nice work Mike. I wish I were as far along as you are! Al

Hello mike, Nice Ring Neck pheasant running loose in the yard. This same bird was introduced into our area many years ago and I have MANY fond memories of doing the hunt with family. I used the wrong terminology on one of my above listed questions. I meant to ask about GPH not GPM. By your description I now know what size pressure cooker has enough capacity to not run out of water and generate enough steam to run two or three hours. I am assuming that you run your heat source "wide open" for maximum heat and steam generation? I am now on the Prowl to locate a couple of 4 quart pressure cookers. (I had thought that I would need much more capacity and was initially looking for 21 quart pressure cookers. I could not fit two large pressure cookers on my camp chef stove. Al

Joe you are spot on when it comes to working thru issues and resolving problems that would make some repairs impossible for others who do not like to do..... Al

Hello Mike, Thanks for the additional information and pictures. I now have a few specific questions as your now the resident expert at steam bending wood! What is the capacity in quarts of your two pressure cookers? I have my eye on a couple of pressure cookers, maybe larger than what you have used? What GPM do you figure your system consumes per cooker per hour? Do you think the pop-off valve could be blanked off, in the lid, as this system really does not build or hold pressure just makes and delivers steam to atmosphere? Do you think that I would be wise to insulate the steam chamber tubes in order to keep them hot and condensation down to a minimum? I assume that your condensed steam was just allowed to run out of the ends of your tube and past the plywood dams? With your experience, did you note any "spring-back" of the legs of your bent hoops? If no spring-back, I assume that you just pulled each leg down to a point that they were simply parallel with each other? Most other thoughts I have had, have been answered by a study of your set up and steam system. Any other thoughts you may have are heartily welcomed! Thanks again for sharing your learning and project success with us all. Regards, Al

Hello Al, I have test run the new manufactured main leafs. The rears will not have a problem at all with the fit to my rear spring perch's/shackles. The custom built eyes on the new front spring leafs will in fact fit, the front frame horns, like the original main leafs. I am just down to the need to remove the nasty deformed bushings, ream oversized, then insert new bronze bushings as suggested by Gary of Indy Racer fame. I also have yet another side issue running which is the rear fender irons (which I do not have). I have a set of good pictures that show me how the fenders are mounted to the irons and then in turn mounted to the body. Once again , this is just time and effort to get there. Al

Hello Mike, I have been chewing on your steam bending process. Here are a couple of questions; Did you simply use the pressure gauge port, in the lid, as a threaded tap for your steam line connection? What is the capacity of your pressure cookers? (as I set up my system I do now want to run out of water) What type hose did you use to carry the generated steam from the pressure cooker to the steam chamber? We have very low humidity here so I would plan for maybe more steam time and, as you said it, quickly bend the wood. I have several bows that I need to build, a full set for the Locomobile and a Set of bows for a Studebaker white-top surrey (horse drawn) and several other pieces. I am most taken up with your steaming process. Thanks for sharing on this forum. Al

Hello Mike, Nice all over the page for your nice Indian Bikes. We were at Sturgis this year and drooled all over a couple of nice restored early 20's Indian bikes. I have a few pieces of a 1924 H-D JD that I hope some day to assemble into a bike. I am so impressed with your home-brew steaming fixture. It gives me courage to give it a try for my current project. I probably will not sleep tonight just wondering how you are doing and waiting for pictures of your first completed hoop. Please make any suggestions of things you have learned and would change or do differently. That information is good for us fellows that are going to give steam bending a try. Al

Nice work on the oil pump. Al

Is the "R" Reo a 4 cylinder car? I have heard of more than a few novel repairs given to these relics we work on and your story is another. Al

Joe, The building, in the picture, used to be on the same property that my house is on along with a store that my Great-Grand-Dad ran. When he died the property was split up and when the next generation passed, split up again. The building is currently owned by a relative of mine, (imagine that)! I may actually purchase and joint that property up with my home again and yes, what a nice place to store and work on cars! It does need a bunch of work as it has not been taken care of the the past 30 years. Gary, Your pictures sure give me the urge to spend some time on my Studebaker project. I am forcing myself to stay focused on the current project, however. Your reference is much appreciated. Do you have other body work completed on your Indy car? Al

While I was out and about messing with springs and such I scrutinized the Locomobile from axle. I think I have a solution as to the reason my Great-Grand- Dad replaced the original main leaf on the Locomobile. After very closely checking out the front axle, I can see that the axle is bent on the side that has had the spring replaced. I suspect that some ditch must have caught the car back in the 1920's. That early time frame my area would have had absolutely no asphalt roads and VERY few with gravel. My Dad was born in 1926 and he had no recollection of the car ever running in his lifetime. I was to young to know enough to chat with my Grand -Dad while he was still alive, he passed on in 1964, at that time I was 10 yrs. old and didn't know that I would have a lifetime interest in antiques to include about every thing from cars on..... Here is a picture of the first automobile dealership in our side of the county I live in. This building still stands and is located just around the corner from my house. My Great-Grand-Dad built/owned that business and ran it until just before his death in 1932.