Anybody know anything about Hallett diesels?

[goldfinch7]

I just got an old Hallett one cylinder air cooled diesel from my grandpa, and can't find anything about it anywhere... It's a model AC-1S. I've been unable to find anything on the internet about it, or the company that made it. If anyone could tell me anything, I'd really appreciate it. thanks!

[JKWidener]

Here are some links to help you. seems it is a marine engine..

http://www.oldmarineengine.com/discu...s/3/96428.html

http://gasenginemagazine.com/complete-archive/5034/

The last link does have a little information on a Hallett engine you just have to read a little to find it.

The above links were found on google using the term "hallett diesel" with the quotes being used.

[ronm]

I have one. Back in the 50's & 60's they were used in 3-wheeled mine buggies in the Uranium & coal mines around here (w. CO)...used to be a lot of them laying around. They used Diesels in the mines, & ran the exhaust thru a water scrubber. I traded a hydraulic pump for my Hallett, back in the 70's. I guess it was my first "hobby" engine, although I didn't even realize it was a hobby at the time...I had mine running years ago, as I remember it was kind of hard starting, but sounded good running. I saw another one at a show a few years back, but I don't know anything about the co. or where to get parts. They used American Bosch pumps & injectors.
HTH-Ron in CO...

[ronm]

OK- my firewall was messing w/thumbnails, but I can see them now. Your engine looks basically like mine, ex. mine has electric start & a Rockford clutch. I don't remember the model #, the engine isn't here right now... but that's basically it.
Ron in CO...

[goldfinch7]

Ron, did you do anything special to get it heated up before it started? there's no glow plug or anything... but there is a plug that screws in near the end of the injector that looks as if something might attach to it- know anything about that? also, do you have any ideas about where to get a starter for it?

[ronm]

Yes-mine has a glow plug in a home-made looking adapter which replaced the screw-in plug you mentioned. I just ran a jumper to it when I started it. Made a BIG difference. I was warned by the old gentleman that used them in the mine to NOT use ether, he pointed out the welded drive housing on the starter, said that is guaranteed to happen if you ether it...I think the glow plug he used was from an IH farm tractor-460? As to where to find any parts, I would have no clue any more. The old miner I mentioned died & his shop was torn down years ago. He had a lot of Hallett stuff, I suppose it went to the scrap yard...
Ron in CO...

[Bill Geyer]

One brand of air cooled hand crank Diesel I worked on had a plug to remove and put 1 teaspoon of engine oil in the cylinder. It raised the compression for cold starting. It had no heater.

Bill

[vern0n]

I have an American MARQ that looks just like your Hallett. I do have a copy of a repair manual.

[goldfinch7]

would there be any way to get a copy of that manual? i can't find ANYTHING on this engine- a manual would be awesome! i read that in 1955 i believe they changed their name from hallett to american MARC... anyhow, if you could please get back to me on this, i'd greatly appreciate it! thanks!

[ListerDiesel]

Originally Posted by goldfinch7

I just got an old Hallett one cylinder air cooled diesel from my grandpa, and can't find anything about it anywhere... It's a model AC-1S. I've been unable to find anything on the internet about it, or the company that made it. If anyone could tell me anything, I'd really appreciate it. thanks!

Hallett have a 3-page entry in the 1949 American Diesel Engine Catalog volume 14.

There is an AC1 listed, 1 cylinder 3-1/2" bore X 3-5/8" stroke, 5bhp @ 1800rpm, air cooled, hand start with electric optional, 22-lbs weight.

The AC1 was only produced in single cylinder versions according to the book, but there were also D1A, D2, D2B engines which were water cooled with outputs up to 18bhp @ 1500rpom.

There is a picture of a small generating set with the AC1 engine close-coupled to a generator, starting was listed as being through the generator windings.

Hallet are listed as being at:

1601W. Florence Avenue, Inglewood, California, USA.

Hope this is of some assistance.

Peter

[Keith Kessler]

Hi,

I've got one of these diesels on a military surplus generator set. It's about 3KW single or 3 phase plug selectable. I've used it after the 2004 huricanes here in Florida and it was fantastic. Used very little fuel and would run and run...you get the picture.

I could certainly use a copy of a service manual for the engine. Before I found out that the AC1 was a Hallett I could find nothing about the engine and I figured I'd run it till it drops and scrap it. Now that I know what it is there is the possibility of repairs in the future.

24 Volt starter on mine. Starts fast on a 12V battery. I spin it up with the compression release open, close the compression release and it fires right up. I could dig out in the shop to get some pictures if anyone is interested.

Great Thread,

Keith Kessler

[goldfinch7]

Keith, the starter's missing on mine, but the housing is still there... any way you could gimme the part number off your starter? it's a pain to crank it over by hand!