Waukesha WKS

[frisky]

I was able to pickup my Waukesha engine last weekend. I think the trailer was only about 25% over loaded so it made for a slower 600 mile trip home.

Its 4cyl with a clutch and giant starting crank. Looks like its almost ready to run. It has a belt drive made out of what appears to be cardboard or maybe some kind of leather, its hard to tell due to weather and age.

The Tags on the engine read WKS - 1U754D, #5136, manufactured in 1930

I am looking for manuals, some ideas on adding a starter to what appears to be a mounting spot on the block, spark plugs and any tips and pointers on startup and running.

I will probably get it the rest of the way down I10 to Arizona sometime this summer.

[Bud Tierney]

Well, ordinary usage would be engine model WKS, with the rest factory code for the variation from the basic engine, usually things like ignition, carb, clutch, governor etc.
But I don't find a WKS in any of my old parts catalogs... the closest I have is a WK 4Cyl of 63/4 x 8, cast in pairs like yours, which is listed in a 1930 McCord catalog. If your b/s is the same, it could be a variation of the basic WK, or a completely different engine.
You might try the Wauk Engine Hist'l Soc: waukeshaenginehistoricalsociety.org...they try to provide manuals "...no longer available thru Wauk/Dresser...", and I didn't see any WK or WKS on their list. It's a volunteer outfit, so you may not get an immediate reply.
Looks like it was very well taken care of.
Startup suggestions will depend on how long its been down; you sure don't want to break anything on something that rare!!!

[frisky]

Thank you Bud for the suggestions and info. I went out this morning and did some more poking and wiping and took a couple more photos. I found a smaller brass tag on the block under the manifolds that reads "WK4SK" which seems to make more sense. It is a beautiful engine for its size and era and perhaps the best I have ever seen so I will get special TLC. I was told that it had a wonderful sound when running at low speeds.

For the sake of documentation I will post the 2nd tag data here:


Model WK4SK -- 6- 3/4 x 8
No. 267226 Date Aug 1930

Governed 950 RPM
and patent dates for the governor and oiling system.

For the clutch so far all I have found so far is a rough "Twin Disc" in the bell casting.

[Bud Tierney]

Now I'm as mystified as you are...the new tag you found looks and sounds more like the usual engine ID tag: engine model WK, 4 probably meaning 4cyl, and the "5K" the "variation" number, altho the "4" could also be part of the variation number.
I have no idea what the additional "S" on the "WKS" on the other tag means, or why the two are different.
The larger tag is obviously a more generic tag, unless its parts on the right, that didn't come thru legible on my machine, also have the b/s, ser # etc on the engine tag, but you'd think the engine model would show the same on both tags. Where was the big tag located??
If you contact the Hist Soc, send them pix of both tags, and ask them why one says WK and the other WKS.
The few Twin Disc pix I've seen had Twin Disc tags on the upper surfaces; you may have to look at it with a mag'fying glass to see if there's a stamped number that's been painted over. Good luck.

[Junkologist]

That looks like a very nice engine! I was real close to acquiring a 1926 Link-Belt crawler crane with an engine just like that. I had to pass on it due to the size of it. This was more than 20 years ago. Then I came to find out that the Historical Construction Equipment Association had got hold of it and restored it. I've seen it run and it sounds awesome! It seems like the engine never gets off idle speed. When it does start to bark, it sounds so good! I remember it had a starting crank with a T-handle. You grabbed it with both hands. I would love to see a video of your engine when you get it running.

[frisky]

Someday I may learn to proofread my typing:

WK45K

The large tag is on side of the block "bell housing", look at the first photo its on the right side.

I looked at the Hist. Soc. Web page and the sample manual they show includes the WK series... will contact them next.

[frisky]

will do...

[vern0n]

Starter? You mean you don't want to hand crank that bad boy????

[frisky]

Have you seen the crank? Looks like its made for two men and a dog. Faith, my boxer, she would rather go for a ride...

[PistonRing]

Hi-
The pulley is made of paper, tightly compressed. Don't allow it to get wet or it will self destruct quickly. This type of pulley was commonly used in the 20's thru the 50's. They stacked the paper, compressed it between metal plates and turned it in a lathe. I bet that was a dusty messy shop. Second I would suggest that the "S" in "WKS" stands for "stationary" making this thread authentic. Note the feet for mounting the engine in a stationary location permanently. Nice looking piece of early big iron you have there. A 6 3/4 bore is the same as the styled JD "D" tractor. This is like having two JD D's stuck together, so imagine how much power this dude can put out if you can afford the gasoline to run it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you,
Dave Reed
Otto Gas Engine Works
2167 Blue Ball Road
Elkton MD 21921-3330
phone 410-398-7340 http://www.pistonrings.net
http://www.pistonring.net

[frisky]

The starting crank is built it. Looks like it has room for two
guys to pull it thru.

Top of the heads have small brass valves for compression relief or maybe priming I guess.

[frisky]

The Drive pulley looks like its gotten wet before. The clutch is stuck in the engaged position.

[Doug Waggonner]

Isnt there a Paper Pulley restoration\mfg advertisement in Gas Engine Magizine? Or am I thinking of another magizine?
By the way, Awesome Engine! I hope you put a video of it on YouTube when you get it running!

As for a starter, perhaps you can use a 5hp /+ briggs type engine belted to that pulley? One the engine has started you could disenguage the clutch and remove the belt?

[frisky]

Cast in the top of the heads is "Natural Gas". The engine has a gasoline carburator.