Waukesha 6SRKR and other stuff

[solatare]

hi, i recently found smokstak digginfor info on all the old equipment at my shop. most of it still being used, but there is an old bay city crane there with a massive flathead six in it. it turns over but no spark. the turntable engine is also large but looks like a continental read seal and runs pretty good. what i want to know is if that waukesha engine is easy to rebuild since i can most likely get it for scrap value.

also we have a 1957 hyster 6k lbs forklift with what looks like a continental 6 in it, but the plate says "towmotor". we fully restored the lift and use it daily. but its still not right, the hydraulic pump starves out and whines alot. the original pump was simply worn out and replacements couldnt be found and was replaced with something newer.

ill be posting info on our old pettybone hydro crane once i figure out where to put info on it, that one too has been restored, but has tranny issues and we have yet to identify its engine. its a ohv straight 6 with a updraft gas carb and an artfully cast exhaust manifold that curves up over the valve cover and then down. motor is also fairly large.

we also have a 1940s gerlinger tri wheel 26k forklift we use. id like to know what engine originally powered that monster, as it has a big block v8 in it now.

oh the crane is a bay city 18-t 50. and it works to a decent extent.

[BGunn]

Hello and welcome to Smokstak, The 6SRKR is a tough OLD engine and as such most of the scarce remaining parts out there are very well thought off (hint expensive). That being said before deciding to rebuild it I would want to see if it will run first. Is it magneto or distributor, they came with both. The magneto most likely would be a Bosch and the distributor a Delco. If it is a magneto make sure the shorting wire isn't grounded which of course would prevent it from starting. I just finished a project getting one running in a Koering crane from the late 30's and it runs very well. Don't mistake low compression for being wore out as these were a low compression engine, good luck the sound they make is memorable.
As far as the forklift is concerned it is either a Towmotor (later to be Caterpillar) or a Hyster. Give us some more data off the name plate, a Hyster may be something like a H60 for a pneumatic model, a towmotor might be a 422 as an example. The model and serial number on most equipment is an absolute necessity for getting parts and help because generic info may overlook an important device not normally seen on other models. The hydraulic problem sounds like either cavitation, which can be caused by a collapsed suction hose or a plugged inlet screen (inside the reservoir) or aeration which comes from air entering the suction side of the pump from a bad hose or loose clamp. Or the pump may be to large and is being starved by the inlet.
The Gerlinger most likely had a flat head ford although if the year is incorrect they also use the 312 ford which was an overhead valve engine. Bill

[Bud Tierney]

"The 6SRKR is a tough OLD engine...". Old??...OLD???
(Deep sigh). Oh, well, I guess "old' is in the age of the speaker ("old" is teens, 20's!!).
Seriously, I find crane listings for the 6SRKR up to 72, and probably later, as that particular parts catalog just covers to 72.
They were used in some larger over-the-road trucks and specialty models (Available, FWD, etc) in the 30's/40's/50's?, probably being relegated to industrial/const eqpmt later).
If the Wauk terminology holds true, the SRKR is a heavy duty version of the basic 6SRK (things like heavier crankshaft, harder bearings and/or other changes for better/longer performance).
My 50 Motor Manual shows both with same 45/8 x 51/8=517:
SRK 4.5 comp; 330 Tqe@800, 110 HP@2250;
SRKR 5.5 comp; 360 Tqe@600, 126 HP@2250. (These would be for a truck version; industrial's could have a different power curve, etc).

[Eric M.]

The 6SRKR is one heck of an engine. At Vista, we've got one in a 1934 Euclid truck. Runs like a top.

[John Schwiebert]

On the 6 cylinder towmotoe. Maybe it was an engine transplant. Do you have any casting numberS? I would guess an F-226 or maybe an F244 engine. Do you have pictures?

[solatare]

thanks for all the replies. ill try n get pictures monday if i make it in. picked up a ferocous cold thats kicking my butt.
the forklift is a hyster and from what can be read the motor is original to the lift. both the main pump and the steering pump were replaced at great cost, so i doubt i can talk my boss into getting a different pump. anyway to rig the ones on it so they dont starve? i guess i really need pics. as for the wauk ill check its ignition system. where would i put a thread on that pettibone hydrocrane? really would like to know what motor is in that thing so we can get a source for parts.

[BGunn]

As far as the Pettibone is concerned, the engine is probably a G3000 Hercules. This engine was built along the same lines as the D298 diesel. Pictures and name plate data of everything that you are requesting help with are the best and fastest way to get accurate info.

[Eric M.]

Originally Posted by Bud Tierney

My 50 Motor Manual shows both with same 45/8 x 51/8=517:
SRK 4.5 comp; 330 Tqe@800, 110 HP@2250;
SRKR 5.5 comp; 360 Tqe@600, 126 HP@2250. (These would be for a truck version; industrial's could have a different power curve, etc).

Bud, do you have any information on the 6SRKR around 1934? How much did the engine specifications change over the years?

[Bud Tierney]

Eric: Sorry, can't help; that 50 Motor manual is all I have that shows HP etc., and it only covers 36-49 .
The parts catalogs I have that cover it don't indicate any physical changes other than the "late" (no date or ser # stated) SRKR's apparently had "precision, dowel-type mains" (1968 American Hammered bearings catalog).
Rod bearings had no "early/late" statement, and no mention was made of "early" mains in that catalog.
If you have your serial number you might try the waukeshaenginehistoricalsociety.com (org??); don't know if they have that info or not. They're all volunteer, so may not get back to you quickly.

[Rene Elliott]

I have seen a 6SRKR in a Lorain crane (truck mounted originally, later put on Bay City crawlers) and a c. 1941 FWD military snowblower truck, I know the small Walter (FCK?) Snowfighter truck used them as well, regret I had not saved all of the above from scrapping, but no storage/money at the time.