Hicks single cylinder

[Derek Pollard]

Hi I just bought a 1 cylinder Hicks It has no tag it is an open base model can some one help me aproximate the year etcetera. would realy like some pictures or photo copys thanks in advance for any help

[Richard Durgee]

Derek

Hicks goes back to 1892 on Howard Street in San Francisco, they made their engs heavy and slow turning, over head valves, Manzel oilers in 6, 8 ,10 Hp the 8Hp being the most popular. The early engines up to about 1926-7 had round shaped cylinders and the camshaft was 90 degrees to the crankshaft. I believe also that after approx 1909 roller tappets were used.
1926-7 the company was taken over by the Yuba Mfg Co., engines still looked similar but the cylinders were now squarish shaped and the camshaft was parallel with the crankshaft, Yuba also made multi cylindered engs.They remained in business untill around 1932.

This photo is of the early type, I think 8 Hp.

[Richard Durgee]

Will try to add photo this time!

[Derek Pollard]

thanks my enginelooks like the picture but the sides on the base are open

[Derek Pollard]

me again I am going to get some pictures of it in a couple of days

[Richard Durgee]

May be easier to see with this photo, the base sides are covered with thin metal plates held with 4 screws !

[Derek Pollard]

okay that explainsit the sides are missing on my engine again thanks

[Derek Pollard]

Hi richard when I looked at the engine this morning I see the holes for the screws so that is a help did that crankcase hold oil for the rod bearing it must of I guess the plates helped to retain it?

[Richard Durgee]

Lower end is lubricated by the infamous Manzel mechanical oilers, side plates help keep oil from slinging out into the bilge. These old timers only ran at 350 Rpm so nothing was happening very quickly!

[Derek Pollard]

this engine is missing the oiler also the waterpump it suffered seriously from the salt the guy i got it from JB it back together did a real nice job but I dont think it ca be a runner however with all the brass on it it displays very nicely. I have some nice running engines so this one is just for show I would like to get the missing parts any ideas thank you DEREK

[Capt. Maury Polse]

Hello Derek, The green Hicks 8hp was in my DiMaggio Monterey fish boat boat for over twenty years. I am probably the last person making his living on the water using Hicks power. Now the 'DIXIE' has a twin 14hp like she had when new in 1924. The external parts are getting scarce. But it is easy to adapt, such as the automotive fuel pump run off the pushrod, or water pump run by friction off the flywheel, an orignal option was a washdown/bilge pump powered thus. Happy motoring!

[Derek Pollard]

Hi thanks for your input I bought the hicks in Northport washington long way from the ocean it worked in the guy i got it from thought it came from Sanfrancisco anyway it a old beauty and i am happy to have it DEREK

[Mike]

I am currently in the process of restoring an 8 Hp Hicks. I have a few extra parts but sold most of the spare parts recently. Already sold the manzel oiler and water pump that were extra. My cylinder was cracked and expanded pretty bad as well and had been expoxied up. I sand blasted the epoxy out and had a professional cast iron brazer pull it back together and braze up the cracks. There are a few Hicks out there with missing heads and cylinders since the salt water destroyed them. The brass name tag on mine was riveted to the sheet metal guard that attaches to the posts. I think a lot of these crank case covers were taken off and lost with the name tag.

[Robt.]

The brass Manzell oilers turn up regularly on eBay. Was the engine salt-water cooled or just frost-cracked? If salt, you'd be better to treat those parts with the electrolysis method described on this site and the Net. The engine must be kept full of straight anti-freeze and that changed twice yearly (as per Mystic Seaport Museum practice)

The only method I have heard of that will clean inside water jackets however is Redistrip, or acetic acid (vinegar)

That must be a very early engine and well worth the trouble to fight the salt.

[Derek Pollard]

Here are 2 pictures of my Hicks I hope. thanks to everybody who cotacts me it sure helps Harry your web is great I have a Gray like yours but some differences i will email you about it

[John Woodson]

Hello- I just found/registered at smokstak. I was searching for Hicks engine info. I have a 8hp Hicks that is still in the boat - works great, a daily runner. I finally found a great old engine that can carry me around - got tired of hauling heavy iron on trailers.

The boat lives at Bethel Island now, and has been around the SF Bay area in the water for at least 50 years. It was originally an open Navy launch cir 1919,. A cabin and hardtop were added about 50 yrs ago and it has been used as a cruiser yacht w/galley and head [now removed], and as a water taxi, in the water, for at least the past 50 years.

The engine stays wet and is run regularly with no outward signs of cracks or corrosion. It is now living in fresh water again.

Has anybody seen this boat before?

http://www.stanleysteamers.com/steam.../hicks-sm2.JPG
http://www.stanleysteamers.com/steam...Mojo/mojo2.JPG
http://www.stanleysteamers.com/mojo.htm

I haven't found an attachment option for photos yet so I hope these links will work

I also have a Stuart P5 inboard marine gas engine.

Best regards-

JW

[John Woodson]

OK, I found the attachment option. Here are a couple of photos [I hope]
The Hicks runs excellent. There is no starter or generator. The Hicks is started by rolling the flywheel by foot, a compresion release makes this easy. I have learned how to shut it down [1/2 throttle and compression released] so that it will usually stop just past compression, and after a few minutes, a flip of the ignitor will fire the atmospheric charge enough to autostart = magic ....... or 'Mojo'

Love this engine!

[Derek Pollard]

Hi John thanks for the contact and pictures I think my Hicks is a early one and am looking for parts mostly a brass Manzel lubricator It must be a real treat to have one in a boat good for you. I also have a2 cyl canadian fairbanks morse very early lots of brass. a 1 cyl Gray. a very nice 2 hp waterman. annd a couple of others. also some stationary engines. if I ever get to your area I would love to see your boat maybe even a ride??? again thank you DEREK

[John Woodson]

Derek - We have been away from the thread for awhile, eh? How is your Hicks?

I have been using Mojo every couple of weeks throughout the year, as the weather in SF bay and delta area is mild. The Hicks never fails to start, but I am seeking out a couple of click-clack noises I intend to fix. The first improvement was to pipe the Schebler intake air opening up into the the exhaust stack housing. Much quieter under way. A 3 inch opening in the side of the stack works great. I had to put a screen on the opening after removing a stack-nesting barn swallow from inside the Schebler this Spring.

You should visit anytime you get down SF Bay area, happy to meet up and lintroduce you to the joy of boating with a Hicks. Mojo is always in the water right here at my dock in the back yard, on a quiet backwater slough of the Delta. I am now cleaning up the many Hicks brass parts, it makes a big difference. Will re-assemble next week and post a couple of photos

I was in Seattle for a week - wow! very maritime. I really explored around Lake Union, and got to spend time on Virginia V under steam. Next time I might make it to BC. Where might you be found if I get close?

Cheers,

John Woodson
Bethel Island
925-788-3903