Onan Electric Plant

Found this electric plant in the trees in northern Minn. Engine is not stuck & unit looks complete. Model# W38-350Z Serial# 38.337783. The owner said it was free for the taking.(It followed me home) Where do I find info on this unit as I'm sure it will need to be completely torn down & gone through? Thanks Brad

what type of engine does it have?

It has a 2 cylinder flat head engine, water cooled with a radiator. Must have a positive oiling system as there is a oil pressure gage on the lower, carb. side of the engine. Brad

Brad, Your W38 is probably a W3S-350 and is one of the models in the W2C Series. The parts book I have for the W2C series doesn't list particulars such as voltage and output, just wiring diagram numbers. Dating is all but impossible, because Onan, in their infinite wisdom , sometimes, and it seems almost always, used a decimal in place of the letter which would denote the decade of manufacture. I can tell you your plant was made in the third month in the year 19?8. Some people have had luck obtaining manuals from Onan. If you have no luck in that direction, Email me, I have the general manual for the W2C. Series.

Anyone know the NAVSHIPS manual number for any of these Onan power plants, I might be able to help. I know of an Army Tech Manual for the W3M, it is TM 5-5024 and TM 5-5045 but haven't been able to cross these to NS manuals.

[flathead 8]

Brad, I just acquired a w3s-350 onan today. Serial # 77.341736
If you find a manual for yours, please post it or e-mail me, mine doesn't have one either. gandreen@gra.midco.net

[Gary M]

Brad take a look a few posts before yours, "is it an onan" and let me know if your gen. looks like this one.
Thanks,
Gary M