Fun #40 - Weidely OHV 4 as used in a Mercury

Otto Puzzell · September 13, 2011, 04:17:03 AM

The early years of the automobile involved many different combinations of cars and parts.

For 1 point, identify the this engine builder, and the car for which it was intended.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question, if you'd like the point.

Only complete answers will earn a point

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Otto Puzzell · September 19, 2011, 03:53:52 AM

Experts?

Otto Puzzell · September 28, 2011, 05:38:23 AM

Pros?

Allemano · September 28, 2011, 05:59:11 AM

not solved yet.

Otto Puzzell · September 28, 2011, 06:40:27 AM

Thanks

Allan L · September 29, 2011, 04:08:52 AM

Can't identify it at present but I think it's not that early as it has a v-belt-driven waterpump, electric starter and enclosed valvegear, so I'll say 1920s and from the USofA.
ETA not a Buick, which would be first choice for an early user of OHV.

Otto Puzzell · September 29, 2011, 04:26:25 AM

Quote from: Allan L on September 29, 2011, 04:08:52 AM
Can't identify it at present but I think it's not that early as it has a v-belt-driven waterpump, electric starter and enclosed valvegear, so I'll say 1920s and from the USofA.
ETA not a Buick, which would be first choice for an early user of OHV.

That is some sound reasoning. However, it's from an earlier decade (but not by much).

It is from the US, and is not a Buick.

neilshouse · September 30, 2011, 04:03:50 AM

Is it an OHV conversion of an existing sidevalve engine?

Otto Puzzell · September 30, 2011, 04:25:31 AM

Quote from: neilshouse on September 30, 2011, 04:03:50 AM
Is it an OHV conversion of an existing sidevalve engine?

I believe it was conceived and built new, in the configuration the drawing shows.

Allan L · September 30, 2011, 09:41:39 AM

Perhaps it's a Mason engine for a 1917/8 Chevrolet (490 or F Series)?

Otto Puzzell · September 30, 2011, 11:20:22 AM

Quote from: Allan L on September 30, 2011, 09:41:39 AM
Perhaps it's a Mason engine for a 1917/8 Chevrolet (490 or F Series)?

Less known than that

Otto Puzzell · October 12, 2011, 02:22:03 PM

Black hole

Otto Puzzell · December 18, 2011, 07:54:25 AM

Santa's offering two points for finishing this one off.

Otto Puzzell · January 06, 2012, 05:54:00 AM

I will award a third point, should it be solved in the next 24 hours.

No clues will be provided.

Otto Puzzell · February 13, 2012, 05:52:27 AM

Today only (13 February), three points on offer for the solution.

Otto Puzzell · April 19, 2012, 05:43:52 AM

This engine was used in a 'manufactured car' brand that would die, and be adopted later by a well-known manufacturer.

Otto Puzzell · May 09, 2012, 05:24:42 AM

The builder of this engine can be tied to these two places...

sixtee5cuda · May 09, 2012, 07:15:53 PM

Oakland?

Manuel · May 10, 2012, 01:54:02 AM

That large timing case should be a good clue.
What did the chain drive? Must have been an external device. A generator??

Manuel in Oz

Otto Puzzell · May 10, 2012, 03:53:47 AM

Not sure what chain you're referring to. The pulley on the front drove the cooling fan.

Tom_I · May 10, 2012, 11:19:30 AM

I can't find any pictures of this engine, but from descriptions and the earlier clues, I think this was built by the Weidely Engine Company of Indianapolis, Ind. Its founder, George A Weidely was born in Zürich in Switzerland, and the first photo clue is looking along Bahnhofstrasse towards the main railway station in Zürich. I don't know what the second photo is of, but I'm guessing it's in Indianapolis.

As for the car, the timing would be right for this this to be the four-cylinder overhead-valve Weidely engine used in the HCS automobile. This was an assembled car made by a company set up by Harry C Stutz after he sold his interest in the Stutz Motor Car Company in 1919. Both Stutz and HCS were also based in Indianapolis.

sixtee5cuda · May 10, 2012, 11:50:15 AM

I think you are right about Wiedely/H.C.S. and Stutz.

I have found a few pictures of the engines in H.C.S. cars. Many attributes of the drawing seem to match up. Excepting the fact that the drawing appears to be a mirror image of the actual engine. Such as, drawing shows spark plugs on left, and I am looking at an engine picture with the plugs on the right.

One of my favorite features of cars from the early 20's, are the combination devices. This engine appears to have water pump, distributor, and generator all on the same shaft. Our 1924 Buick had a similar arrangement.

Otto Puzzell · May 10, 2012, 05:02:50 PM

Quote from: Tom_I on May 10, 2012, 11:19:30 AM
I can't find any pictures of this engine, but from descriptions and the earlier clues, I think this was built by the Weidely Engine Company of Indianapolis, Ind. Its founder, George A Weidely was born in Zürich in Switzerland, and the first photo clue is looking along Bahnhofstrasse towards the main railway station in Zürich. I don't know what the second photo is of, but I'm guessing it's in Indianapolis.

As for the car, the timing would be right for this this to be the four-cylinder overhead-valve Weidely engine used in the HCS automobile. This was an assembled car made by a company set up by Harry C Stutz after he sold his interest in the Stutz Motor Car Company in 1919. Both Stutz and HCS were also based in Indianapolis.

Impressive sleuthing, as always. Weidely is right; Stutz/HCS is not (in the context of this puzzle).

Don't forget:

Quote from: Otto Puzzell on April 19, 2012, 05:43:52 AM
This engine was used in a 'manufactured car' brand name that would die, and be adopted later by a well-known manufacturer.

Locked for you for 48 hours.

Otto Puzzell · May 11, 2012, 06:22:20 AM

It can be found though judicious Googling

Tom_I · May 11, 2012, 01:07:11 PM

I was getting nowhere, and was about to give up, when I stumbled across the Mercury, produced 1918-20 by Mercury Cars Inc. of Hollis, NY., with Ford being the well-known manufacturer to use the name later.

QuoteA small assembled car of limited production, the Mercury used a Duesenberg or Weidely 4-cylinder engine.....

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Fun #40 - Weidely OHV 4 as used in a Mercury