Take another look at this engine (Novo ?)

[Joe Lofink]

I have taken a closer look at this engine and have more photos with casting numbers. I also removed the flywheel to look at the crankshaft. I was told in a previous post that this was a Wisconson but I have looked at all the Wisconsin engines that I have and I have some early ones and the design of this engine, except for the removal cylinder is different than anything I have. Had one reply that thought it might be a Novo air cooled but don't have anything to prove that. The engine measures 19" tall and the crank before it tapers for the flywheel is 1 5/8" in diameter, flywheel is 10 3/4" in diameter and it has the cast aluminum shroud. If this is a Wisconsin let me know a model number so I can start chasing parts.

[DaveWachter]

Joe there is a part number on the block under the output shaft in your pictures on Youtube. Call Phil Gets 517 655 3406. If its a Novo he can cross reference as he owns most of the remaining Novo parts. Dave Wachter or call me 517 204 5452.

[Joe Lofink]

Called Phil and he says that Novo air cooled engines didn't have removal cylinders and the casting numbers that all start with a WE- aren't for Novo either. Thanks for the help but it would look like I have to keep looking.

[Randy Hart]

Hi Joe, I saw a photo yesterday on here of Mike Stockards and it shows a Novo and when I saw it I thought of yours...I'll see if I can find it again.. Randy

try this.. http://www.smokstak.com/gallery/show...hp?i=4694&c=30

[Joe Lofink]

Randy,
Thanks for the link to the photo. The air cooled Novo sure looks allot like mine but there are some differences. Maybe it's a different model. I know the tractor was built in 1948 so I would date the engine to the same time frame.

[KidDynamo]

A clue might be in the specific magneto number, if the mag is an original or original replacement spec mag.

It would read something like this:

FM J 1A-xx and maybe followed by something.

The "code" is FM means Fairbanks Morse; J is the type of mag; A means base mounted; and xx would be a number (single or multiple digits) that is a manufacturer's reference number. Any following numbers or letters might refer to details like maybe a stop switch on the right side, or what ever.

A common mag example would be:

FM J-B7- which is B for flange mount and the 7 stands for Wisconsin. You see more "7" mags than any other mag, and this is why.

If you can find a similar number on your magneto, one of us can look up the manufacturer's number and see if it is on a list of manufacturers. Check on both sides of the mag. It is also possible that the mag was a clever retro-fit and in this case, we're still stumped.

[Joe Lofink]

Thanks. Looked at the mag and it is a FMJ1A80. Hope this helps.

[KidDynamo]

My list has #80 as Western Tool & Manufacturing Co. Maybe that will help you in your search. It is possible that they made the engine or that they contracted for the engine and had that mag fitted to their product.

It is also possible that that mag didn't originate with that engine.

I'm not personally familiar with a company of that name but I'd bet someone on here is. Google it and see what turns up!

You may want to start another thread on Smokstak if a few days go by and nobody chimes in. People tend to lose interest in threads that hang around without resolution.

On the other hand, there are some guys will go out of their way searching the web and solve things for you, without your knowing it and then posting a few days later!

[Joe Lofink]

Thanks for the information. I have checked the internet and can't seem to find a mention for the company that used this mag. I guess I will make a head for it and maybe at some show someone will know what I have.

[KidDynamo]

I looked around for a while and didn't find anything. I found a few notes on a company by that name which went gunnysack back in the fifties, I think.

I have about 20 different Wisconsin manuals. Some have removable cylinders but I don't show any that look like your's but that means very little. My master book, though, did have a parts category of numbers beginning with WE, like on that casting pictured. Your casting number is not on my list and the "big book" of mine says that wisconsin "WE" parts are category of sheet metal parts.

Further perusal of your photos shows that the fan shroud was probably a retro-fit and the flywheel cooling fins were likely "removed" to allow the shroud to fit.

Maybe a reposting on the garden tractors forum on here might get some experts in that field involved. Some of those folks really know their stuff but might not read this forum.

[Joe Lofink]

Thanks I'll give the garden tractor forum a shot. The shroud sure looks as if it was made for the engine and when installed there is plenty of room for the flywheel fins. There is damage to the shroud where it looks as if something poked through and may have caused some flywheel damage and the rest of the fins may have been removed for balancing. I think I will machine the flywheel smooth and then fabricate a new cooling fan. Thanks again for the input

[KidDynamo]

Maybe on the shroud but it looks like the brackets that hold it on have a homespun look and hardly ever would you expect to see a shroud bracket held on with the same bolts as the base door. Learn something new every day, though.

Also, the crankshaft is "sort of" centered in the crank hole although re-fabricated shroud brackets might be off a little.

Yes, the shroud fits pretty good and that may be why it was used. A rare or oddball engine might be pretty hard to find a replacement shroud for. This would hold true for just the shroud brackets though.

Suppose a guy hit something head-on with a garden tractor. Could be a shroud bracket might break. Or a shroud. Maybe hurt the flywheel too.

Anyway, I just bring it up so all lookers will look beyond and around what seems to be.

[Oldtractors058]

I'm new to this smoke stake, I was reading your thread, my novo is a DA33, 8hp about 1948. My fins in the flywheel are broken off also and shorter fins put on with screws. I am trying to find a manual on this engine, It ison my PERRIN crawler that was made here in Portland,Oregon. e-mail oldtractors058@yahoo.com

[Joe Lofink]

Does your Novo engine look like mine in the photos. All of my casting numbers start with a WE- prefix. Sure would like to have a positive ID on this engine. I saw a cooling fin ring on ebay for some sort of racing Kohler engine and thought I might be able to bolt it onto the flywheel on my engine with a little of machining but the vendor would not reply to any of my emails requesting information on the size of this ring. I'll keep looking. Can you post any photos of your engine?

[Junkologist]

Joe,
The engine on this tractor is a Novo DA. At a glance, it's similar to your engine, but is actually quite different. I have four different Novo air-cooled models in my collection and they are all unlike your engine.

[Joe Lofink]

I have a friend who has a Haney parts tractor and it has a Wards engine on it. He lives in Wisconsin and is still digging out from under some snow but will try to send me some photos of his next week. I have made a head gasket as a pattern and will try to match it up to something at the Portland swap meet in May. It's a seven bolt head pattern which looks the same as the early Z briggs but is larger. Was hoping it was a Novo so I could at least put a name on the engine. Thanks for the reply and the photo.

[Delco 32 Volt]

Looks like a Western engine. Elderly friend had one on home built tractor. Very good running engine.

[Joe Lofink]

Another lead. Anyone have a photo or know of an owner of a Western engine?

[Joe Lofink]

Mystery Solved I have received photos of another engine exactly like mine with a cast alumunum shroud and the badge still on it. It is a Western Engine made my Western Tool Manufacturing Company, Kansas City Missouri. Thanks for all the help for everyone who had leads.