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Amanco 2 1/4 HP Hired Man
Made by The Associated Manufacturers Co. Waterloo, Iowa
I have just purchased (Jan 2005) from Ebay a 2.1/4 hp Amanco Hired Man. I have not got it home yet but watch this space for more details.
This is a 1923-4 Low tension ignition, Hit-N-Miss Engine.
OK, I have got the engine home now and whilst it is sort of ready to Rally, there are a few mechanical things that need attention.
The oiler needs a good clean out as I can't get it to drip successfully, the mag gears need shimming as there is a lot of play in them and I really need to put it on larger wheels to clear the winch in my Land Rover, question is, do I make a new trolley.....or re hash the old one.....watch this space.
OK, big decision based on my overall dissatisfaction with many aspects of the previous restoration so I have decided to start from scratch. I have made a start on the new trolley (see pic below), stripped the engine and inspected all the parts
The mains, little and big end are fine ( there is a little lateral movement in the mains but nothing to worry about, I will maybe be able to take it up by removing a shim under the caps), rings and bore seem OK however the valves are quite "pocketed". I intend ordering some, along with a few other bits from Ed Deis at www.hitnmiss.com in the States. I am a bit baffled as to how to remove the Mag side flywheel as there appears to be a shoulder in the flywheel groove stopping the removal of the key, see pictures below, any ideas?
I will add to this as the restoration proceeds for anyone who is interested.
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This is a picture from Ebay of the the engine as it was purchased | And another | Another view, | And yet one more |
I ordered the head gasket, Ignitor gasket and carb gasket from hit-n-miss.com in the states along with a new inlet and exhaust valves, a piece of steel to make a new exhaust pushrod along with a new roller for the pushrod and new valve springs. The piston, little end, big end and mains were all in good condition, just needing a bit of shimming for a perfect "no play" fit.
I am painting the engine as I go along with the restoration and there will be a fair bit more stopping and painting before I am happy....Amanco never were renowned for good castings !!!
Bit of a disaster when I got it running for the first time, it ran OK till I put water in it when I found it leaked profusely from the head gasket. I thought the surfaces were flat but I was wrong, so off with the head and a trip to the engineers to get it milled.
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On the Rally field and running well |