Info Please? Fairbanks 2hp and Fairbanks 3hp

[da911vid]

I've got a couple of these engines. I really have no idea how old they are. I've got no idea what they are worth. I believe they are 2HP and 3HP. I'm assuming that the bigger one is a 3HP because of it's size relative to the 2HP. The nameplate on the bigger one (3HP?) is very faded.

Serial Number of bigger one : 854 483
Serial Number of smaller one : 884 935

Any information as far as... value, rarity, or anything would greatly be appreciated! Also... If you, or someone you know would want them, I'm not attached!

Thanks Guys!!

~ David Phillips


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[Elden DuRand]

David:

What you have there are a couple of nice Fairbanks-Morse engines. Although they aren't really valuable, they are good runners.

The first one is what I think is referred to as a ZD or "Salt Block" engine. That one would be the 2 HP.

The second one shown is a ZC-52, which is a three horse, 52 cubic inch engine. The ZC-52 engines were manufactured to at least 1954 (I have one that was cast in '54).

Others here can possibly date the engines from the serial numbers.

I hope this helps.

Take care - Elden
http://www.oldengine.org/members/durand

[Ron Vance]

da911vid -

According to the serial number sequence in C. H. Wendel's "Fairbanks-Morse: 100 Years of Engine Technology",
854483 was built in 1944; 884935 in 1946.

Hope this Helps -

Ron

[R. Kern]

David, in June there is a big show on the 3rd and 4th Saturday at the Vista Early Day Gas Engine and Steam engine museum on North Santa Fe in Vista (also 3rd and 4th Saturday in October)...very large display with lots of folks displaying their engines and equipment...you might consider taking a good set of pictures along with you and show them to any number of the folks at the show...you will probably find someone interested. There isn't a buy and sell at the show but your own informal sell package might work...in addition if you become a member of the museum there is a parts exchange on Saturday May 15th where members bring things to sell and trade...not a big get together but if you did belong you might get some interest if you bring the engines on a trailer.

The phone # ad the Museum is 1-800-5-tractor for more information. Engines on E bay don't seem to do much good in our area and not so good on Craigs list either but you might try those in any case. The 3 hp is probably more desirable than the salt block 2 hp but it depends a lot on condition. If you join Vista or Branch 22 of the EDGE&TA which is in East San Diego County you might enjoy keeping the engines and being part of the things that involve old iron in the San Diego area.

[da911vid]

Thanks for the help guys!
I'd actually prefer to get rid of them rather than hold on to them. We've got a 5 hp that's actually quite rare that we're gonna hold onto. But I'd like to get rid of these two. Any idea of a ball park of what they're worth? They're in good condition. One needs a new head gasket and a spark plug wire. They're both extremely close to running.

[R. Kern]

Sent you a Private Message on Monday 4-19