Tom Senior Simplex 1/8HP engine.

I have just been asked to re-commission a Tom Senior open crank engine from the 1920's, Approx 1 1/2" bore 2"stroke which I believe is the !/8HP version, unfortunately it is lacking the carburettor and ignition system, (actually I don't believe the engine was ever completed).

Can anyone point me in the right direction to obtain drawings or copies to enable me to progress with this project?

Although they do not show it on their rather out of date web site The Engineers Emporium sell the castings and drawings so should be able to supply what you need.

From their paper catalogue

J

Edited By JasonB on 10/10/2014 20:05:34

Peter,

My hobby is collecting Stationary engines and from what I know of the Senior it is like the Hartop and other engines you could buy in casting form the ignition systems and carburation were often sourced buy the buyer so you could find Villiers carburetors found on these engines.

Just done a quick search and found this old advert which lists the carb and ignition as extra's when buying the engine  http://www.howardengineerium.co.uk/Images/Tom-Senior-5.jpg

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 10/10/2014 20:49:43

Jason, thanks for that. but I have already been in touch with Engineers Emporium and they would not sell me a set of drawings separately from the kit of parts. I was most disappointed.

Martin P, Yes I have spotted the ads you mention and the carburettor drawings in particular are the ones I would like as I would like to keep the model to 'as designed spec' where possible.

Many thanks to you both. Pete

Give it a day or 2 as there are several more stationary engine experts on this forum.
I just passed on a bunch old copies of Stationary Engne magazine I picked up at the St Albans exhibition a fortnight ago and remember seeing pictures of this engine in there (obviously the name caught my attention) so they are out and about on the exhibition scene. Therefore approaches through that magazine or through the stationary engine forums should bring results.

Pete,

If you go to one or both of these sites there is likely to be somebody that may be able to answer your questions http://www.stationary-engine.net/forum/ or http://www.internalfire.com/index.php they are both good sites but Internal Fire is the better and is a museum.

Martin P

Pete,

I've just seen your posting on the IF forum, please be aware of two things, Forum members do take a while to respond and if nobody does respond its not that we are ignoring you thats just the forums way of saying we dont know.

Martin P

Thanks for that Martin, I have now signed up on both forums that you suggested, we shall see what transpires.

Regards Pete.

I noticed there is one on e-bay last night, couple of photos of the carb arrangement on there.

J

I once owned a Tom Senior superior engine,it differed from the simplex in that its valves were operated by a rotating side shaft, Tom Senior made their own carburreter which had two levers controlling the fuel/air mixture and made from brass/bronze castings.

To get the engine running until the correct carb can be located, a small lawn mower carb can be used,though it must be an old one as modern carbs have minimal or no adjustment , I have a stuart 600 gas engine which was converted to petrol using a small mower carb,as it governed better when the engine was used to drive a dynamo for battery charging

Sounds like the one on e-bay has the correct carb as you can see the two levers

The engine on eBay has the type of carburetter that i would like drawings for, unfortunately the vendor does not have any.

Having just seen a photo of one on Eng Emp's stand at the midlands show it looks like they use a different carb anyway so nothing lost.

There was also an older one there with teh twin lever carb so if you are not far away get down there with your measure and notebook.

J

Unfortunately I live way too far away to justify a visit to the show, over 200 miles.

Pete