Fairbanks Morse Vertical 50hp

[John Merry]

Fairbanks Morse 50 HP Y Vertical oil engine still on its original site. Used to power a roll mill at a rock pit and was last run in the early 1950's. The old timer that used to operate it said one hot summer day they were working it hard and the cylinder head blew off and went through the roof of the building that originally covered the engine. Both the cylinder and head were replaced. Has the extra heavy flywheel with the shipping weight of engine 18,500lbs according to an early manual I have.---John

[MoRo]

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooo... ............................................got plans for this ol' gal??

[Jim Thistle]

I wonder - would the warranty still be good????????

[John Merry]

Have tried for years to purchase it but the old gal still sits there because her 90+ year old owner still likes her! As far as a warranty goes -who knows?-they were built like a tank so operator error would probably be the only reason for any major problems.

[John Merry]

The owner has agreed to sell her to me----now comes the hard part, moving 10 tons of heavy metal!

[Jordan]

congradulations on acquiring the old gal. You'l probably need to build a building just for her.

Jordan

[John Merry]

I will probably just leave it outside in its arrested state of decay and get it oiled and running. I live in a dry climate . Sure would like to have the concrete pedistal its on but who knows how much that thing weighs!--John

[armorsmith]

John,
Congratulations on purchasing some wonderful history. I would suggest taking some measurements of the above ground protions of the pedestal if you plan to get that unit running. There will also be reinforcing steel inside the concrete. The function of the pedestal was two fold, one to support the engine, and second to absorb any vibration during run time. My guess is that the support may go a couple of feet below the grade line you can see. Good luck restoring her.

[John Merry]

Had a visit with the old timer that operated the 50hp Fairbanks until it was replaced by a 100hp electric motor. Running a 36" Pioneer roll crusher, the load on the engine was correct when it would blow a smoke ring inside of a smoke ring out of the exhaust stack. The 50hp only used 8-9 gallons of diesel oil a day so it was very economical to run.---John

[Wayne A Thackery]

John,

Thanks for posting the pictures of the 50 HP Fairbanks....looks just the way I remember it. Nice clutch pulley and this will be a great addition to the Merry collection! Was good to see you and your family last weekend and hope to see you in the next few weeks at the Nationals and Brooks. As for the Nash....what a treasure! Would look good in anyone's nest.

[Ray Cardoza]

nice! ill come up with a big one one of these days.

[Tanner Remillard]

DANG IT John!!! How come they did'nt say yes when I ASKED to buy it O well, now you have both of them from the same location Good work on saving that one John.

[John Merry]

Hi Tanner--I guess I was just persistant over the years! The owner said I was a pain in the rear! ha-- Since both engines worked together its nice to keep them together for display.--John

[John Ledbetter]

Hey John, I know some guys who are good at moving large engines, you know like Lauren, Wayne, Buzz and maybe a couple more. Glad you made it to our show. Come back again. John L

[Eric M.]

Very nice! I wish I could find something like that :P

You should put that little puppy back to work on something that you could run independently and turn a profit from. I'm surprised it only used aout 9 gallons per day! That's a big engine...

I agree, those type Y fairbanks engines are totally bomb-proof. At the museum near me, we've got a 3 cylinder type Y made around 1920. For part of its lifetime it provided the electrical power for Avalon, Catalina Island. Then it ran a lead smelter in quartzite AZ. That engine still runs fairly nicely, although it's a bit hard to start sometimes because it's been run so much over its lifetime. Myself and everyone on gas engine row at the museum are amazed that the engine runs as well as it does, considering the amount it's been worked.

[~Wittes-End~]

HI John

I was just wondering how the progress was going? Any updates?

[John Merry]

Hi Wittes End--The old timer that owns the rock pit has it leased out till 2010. The lease states that nothing can be removed till the lease is up. Kind of frustrating but it is in a secure fenced area and ageing nicely--don't know what else to do except wait!----John

[Wayne A Thackery]

Originally Posted by John Merry

Hi Wittes End--The old timer that owns the rock pit has it leased out till 2010. The lease states that nothing can be removed till the lease is up. Kind of frustrating but it is in a secure fenced area and ageing nicely--don't know what else to do except wait!----John

John, when is the moving party? I want to make sure I get it in the planner. With 3 years notice I should be able to make it.

[John Merry]

I will contact you ahead of time Wayne. I think Tanner and his dad want to help too. The more help the better. My wife says she will do the hard work handleing the camera! Thanks ---------John

[Tanner Remillard]

Count me in too John. Its a close drive for us.