We have seen the dude on Hand Tool Restoration tackle some interesting projects but this one may be the top of the charts for us. Like you, we were aware of the existence and widespread usage of gas engines to power Maytag washing machines, more than a half million of them during the era they were sold, but we had never seen one taken apart and when we did we loved every second of it. This is a great restoration because the engine is intact, the points actually function before they are pulled off the motor, and just to see the inner guts of one of these is neat! There’s some good old fashioned mechanical fun happening here and that’s awesome.
These engines, while they were originally used on appliances were fitted onto loads of stuff and tens of thousands of kids used them to power go karts and stuff over the year. The little one cylinder mill with its bee-hive looking cylinder jug is cool when grimed up but it is completely great when finished at the end wearing its new paint, cleaned fasteners, and generally looking very proud to be alive.
The construction of this engine is great to study and we dig the little sub-titles that are shared in the video. Things like the lead washers under the heads of machine screws, the brass looking connecting rod, the Bosch magneto, and the list goes on. This may be the lowest horsepower engine rebuild we have ever seen and it is definitely one of our favorites that we have watched!
Enjoy on this Friday!
Very cool. About 100 years old! Probably was quite a luxury way back then. The cylinder barrel is a work of art.
That is absolutely an awesome motor! You did a fantastic job. Needs to be in a museum. Thanks for sharing.