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(DIR) Return to: Restorations
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#Post#: 40531--------------------------------------------------
Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: Gregowen Date: April 18, 2021, 7:34 pm
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First, thanks very much for the comments and compliments
from our esteemed Moderators, on parts 1-2!
This final group of photos shows various views of the
finished engine. As reassembly progressed, it soon became
obvious that the engine did not have anywhere even close to the
level of smooth and free movement required for it to actually
function, especially slowly for demonstration purposes, at
relatively low PSI.
But, I was already prepared with a "Plan B": Since the
engine would not be running, I opted to replace both the single
broken cylinder head cap and the (intact) valve chest cover with
1/4 inch plexiglass sheet. With these, almost all of the hidden
moving parts of the engine would be visible, like a museum
display (with the entire engine mounted on a mahogany base). The
only part that was left entirely original and untouched is the
brass exhaust pipe that exits below the cylinder block
(something had to be left all-original!).
I was a bit disappointed that my goal of making it run did
not bear fruit, but overall was very happy with how it turned
out, regardless. I spent an average of about one hour a day on
the project, over about four months in 2018. It may no longer be
powering a car, but I believe that it would be hard to find a
more attractive Mason #1 engine anywhere, and I certainly
enjoyed the process. The whole thing weighs about 55 pounds, and
is easy to move.
Thanks for looking, and of course any questions or comments
welcome! - Greg
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]
[attachimg=6]
[attachimg=7]
#Post#: 40533--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: Stoker Date: April 18, 2021, 8:01 pm
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Sorry it didn't turn out at the operational level you were
hoping for, but I gotta say that it is officially "Pretty Dang
Cool" and definitely very attractive the way that it did turn
out. Nicely done!!!
Any chance you can back feed power through it with an electric
motor, or even a hand crank, to make it go through its motions
in a demonstrative manner?
#Post#: 40534--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: Gregowen Date: April 18, 2021, 10:03 pm
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Thanks for the compliments Stoker, as for the idea of
getting it to cycle for demonstrations.....well, I can't see any
practical way of using a motor, or even getting it to turn
easily by hand, as it sits....
Actually, it WOULD turn fairly easily by hand for
demonstrations, except for one problem. Since I was doing my
best to restore it to some sort of running order, I assembled it
using the correct graphite cord packing needed to seal the
piston rods and the valve eccentric rods. That required
installing the cord under pressure, in effect, with the pressure
applied by the threaded brass "collars" there. That is the way
it was made to work, but for this one, that packing just adds
even more friction on top of an already imperfect engine. As it
is, it will turn over, but requires using both hands applied to
both sides of the crankshaft (with plenty of force). To change
that, I would probably need to take most of it apart again
(including the dreaded ball bearings). Then, it would turn far
easier, but would also create a substantial pinching hazard
(lots of ways to get fingers caught in this thing). So, for now
it stays as it is (probably forever, as long as I have it)!
I wish I had a time machine to travel back to 1902, the guys
who originally put them together at the Mason factory could fix
it all quick. As I worked on this engine, it became obvious that
these engines were probably made as much in the tradition of a
"blacksmith" shop as by "machinists". I am guessing that the
component parts were made and assembled in such a way that some
fit with others, and some did not, and the builders had to
develop skills to quickly determine which parts from the various
bins would, together, make a working engine.
I will follow up soon with one last photo - showing all the
bits that were left over when I was done (including the graphite
cord). Cheers - G
#Post#: 40537--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: Jim Date: April 19, 2021, 12:32 am
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Really enjoyed this three part series, thank you.
#Post#: 40538--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: Stoker Date: April 19, 2021, 12:33 am
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Anyway you look at it, that is one beautiful piece of
historically significant mechanical art, that anyone would be
proud to displace in a place of honor!!!
#Post#: 40541--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: classixs Date: April 19, 2021, 3:26 am
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Sorry to hear that it wasnīt possible to make it run as
intended, but agree with the above.
Itīs a very interesting piece of history, that turned out as an
amazing display engine.
With what you had to work with there, iīd say VERY well done!
#Post#: 40560--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: Gregowen Date: April 19, 2021, 7:24 pm
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Thanks to all for your compliments, I am honored.
I have collected many steam engines over the years, and
they were all models, but eventually I guess many people get the
urge to have an authentic antique engine that was actually used
back in the day. I have only this one, and my unusual "spitjack
engine", and that is probably as far as it will go. Most genuine
period-used engines are of course just far too big (and/or
expensive).
Here I share two more photos, one of the unused bits that
were left over (both original, and the parts that never got used
- including some of the graphite packing cord). The other is a
diagrammatic plan showing all the many parts of an entire steam
car engine plant. The engine is located at the far lower right
(white rectangle), and compared to the complexity of the rest of
the system, it almost seems insignificant!
Thanks again - G
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
#Post#: 48489--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: jjtjr Date: January 16, 2022, 8:08 am
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Just joined this group. I have a mason engine model c. Which is
in a locomobile steam car. It looks the same as your engine
except it uses all ball bearings even the cross head slides. My
question is did you replace the rings. Ive been driving the car
for sometime now and need new rings, getting blow-by on both
cylinders, the engine will no longer run. Looking for a source
for them, or else i will have to machine them.
#Post#: 48710--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: jjtjr Date: January 23, 2022, 6:52 am
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After contacting a ring supplier I decided to make them myself.
This is not new to me I rebuilt a 1899 mason and had to make
rings for it. I did video it and its on youtube. Almost finished
just have to split the rings and heat treat them.
Testing for blow by
(HTM) https://youtu.be/nCtK3HIVmgQ
(HTM) https://youtu.be/tvv6I79rciI
(HTM) https://youtu.be/-wZ_0m3XecU
(HTM) https://youtu.be/hsUCL67jEpU
#Post#: 48996--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restoration of a Mason Steam Car Engine - Part 3 (last)
By: Gregowen Date: February 2, 2022, 6:37 pm
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Hi JJTJR, I just now saw your posts. No I never replaced the
rings, of course I gave up on any hope of making it run before I
finished, but the rings seemed to me to be in good shape,
fitting well into the bore, not loose. Of course I had no
reference to really know either way. Looks like a great project
you have there, could you post some photos of the entire car?
Thanks - Greg
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