Leroi Model 844

[glennzo]

Can anyone point me to where I may find a Leroy Model 844 engine, circa 1957? Thank you.

[Alex Bolton]

I am also trying to get info on the LeRoi T H844. I know it was used in the first run M123 6X6. Need a picture of this engine. I believe it was a CrossRam V8 similar to the Chrysler 413 Cross Ram. Alex

[Bud Tierney]

Alex: I think I've got a little 4 page Le Roi brochure on the TH engines; not much real info, as I recall, mostly sales talk. It does have engine pic--lower front drivers side view, as I recall; will dig it up and send xerox (no dig cam or scanner) if of interest.

[John Schwiebert]

Alex: What information do you have on the Leroi engines. About 15 years ago I went to the panhandle of Texas and you would find some as irrigation pump engines. I have a Leroi section in one of my Motor's truck manual.

[Alex Bolton]

Bud, I recall that the LeRoi T H844 looked similar to the Chrysler Cross Induction engines. This is what I am trying to find out. If you have a photo of this engine, I would very much appreciate a cope of it. Thanks alex

[Alex Bolton]

John, the Leroi T H844 was a 844ci gas V8 used the M123 ten ton military tractor. The engine was a 288 or 297 hp,low rpm, high torque set-up. To the best of my knowledge it used a Cross Ram induction intake, similar to Chrysler's engines in the late 50's . This is what I am looking for. Any help from you manual would be appreciated. Thanks Alex

[Bud Tierney]

Alex: No dig cam/scanner; will need mailing adds pitybud@msn.com

[Alex Bolton]

Alex Bolton
3672 Rainbow cir.
Snellville, Ga 30039
Any help would be appreciated, tanks Alex

[Bud Tierney]

Alex: Dug out my LeRoi/Roiline stuff, found what I had on the truck engines was on the 570 and the 884--nothing on the 844, and I assume it's left out of the H/TH 570/884 lit because there's some differences in design.
I can send what I have, if you think they'd be helpful; engine pix are from lower left front, not much good for seeing the manifolding. Dates look like 1963.
There's a manual for the 570 and 844 on EBay, if anyone's interested.

[John Schwiebert]

Bud: What is the bore & stroke on that 570. I just tried to e-mail a scan of the 540 engine. I have not found my 844 stuff. John

[Bud Tierney]

John: I show 45/8 x 41/4 for the 570 (oversquare)...ahh, I see: the 540, the 570, the 844 and the 884 are all oversquare.

[Alex Bolton]

Bud, I now have a picture of the LoRoi H540 engine and it appears to have some kind of cross induction intake manifold. If the intake manifold on the 844 is of the same design, I may be getting close to my answer. I have ordered a manual that I hope covers the 844 engine. I'll pass any info back to you Thanks Alex

[Alex Bolton]

Bud, I received in the mail today a package from Ed Malcom ( the Le Roi Man). I assume this is the results of my contact with you at this site. I'll drop him a money order in the mail to cover his cost. I'll go completely thru his material and hope there is some link with H844. I have ordered a TM that should cover the 844 ( I hope). I pass back to your any new information that I get.
thanks Alex

[Alex Bolton]

John, did Leroi make a air compressor using only one bank of the H844? One bank for power and the other bank for a air compressor. I have found a guy up in Memphis that said LeRoi did this back in1952/1953 for the Army and the Air Force. Hard to see how this could run, let along make air. I'm I out in left field on this one? Alex

[enginenut2]

Alex, In 1964 after NG basic training I did a short service with a combat engineers company and most of our machinery was built in Korean war era.We had a 2 1/2 ton compressor truck loaded W/air tools and a compressor.I recognized the compressor as having been built from a LeRoi V-8 which was run on 1 bank and compressed air on the other bank.I recognized several of these during my time on army posts at summer camp, etc.Probably if you watch ebay for military TM's you will find one on the compressor and the 10 ton you mentioned.
This half recip compressor/half engine was a long proven concept and LeRoi made a tractor version of this called a "Tractair" but it had (I think) a special engine that had 4 engine cyls and 2 comp cylinders and the comp cyls were distintively different externally.Schramm had a "Pneumatractor" that used a IHC "A" or "B" tractor extended to take a IHC Red Diamond engine with special camshaft, head and a few other things to make a 125 cfm that would drive to the job.Larger ones were made from IHC UD9 diesel and even the Cat 3208 type V-8 diesel.They had a popular larger compressor made from a flathead Ford V-8 and in the 70's Grimmerschmidt was making one from the 302/351 type Ford that was seen on a lot of tire service trucks.Gordon Smith of Bowling Green Ky made the kits that were so popular to convert a model A Ford to a 2 cyl/2 cyl portable.But the pioneer I would think of these compressors from an engine was Schramm which was building them in the late 20's although they usually used a standard engine to drive a like engine converted to a compressor.

[Alex Bolton]

thanks for info, It's just hard to understand how this set-up could run. firing order, balance. etc. but thanks for the response. Alex