AN IMPORTANT HISTORIC CIRCA-1885 HORIZONTAL COMPOUND 6-8 HP STEAM ENGINE. This small horizontal compound steam engine of unknown manufacture was designed for small industry and shops. It was acquired by Henry Ford for the Edison Institute in 1929 for the new Museum at Dearborn, MI. The engine was on display until circa 1985. The engine of a most unique design with a horizontal high pressure cylinder of approximately 3 1/2" bore x 10" stroke and a high pressure cylinder of approximately 5" bore x 8" stroke. Two different strokes on a compound engine is a most unique design. Other cylinder details include an overhead valve chest with pivoting cross-shaft to twin D-valves with linkage to crankshaft-driven eccentric strap, the valve rod with original Ford inventory band with No. 2104. Other cylinder details include piston and valve chest adjustable packing glands, top-mounted early Judson inverted horseshoe style Watt-type flyball governor with twin 33/4" diameter flyweights each with raised center band, ornate finial, ornate main inverted horseshoe main frame with integral valve section with governor maker's cast plate, graduated 6" diameter three-groove pulley (Note: the center groove with partial wood section not present), highly detailed cylinder heads, cylinder side-mounted low pressure exhaust.
Other fine details include polished steel bar-type crosshead guides with heavy cast crossheads and tapered flat-sided connecting rods with wedged, set and strapped large and small ends, four connecting rod brass oil cups, two main bearing oil cups, the main bearing supported on integral frame-mounted pedestals each with removable adjustable caps and babbit bearing surfaces, the crankshaft with a 6" crank arm and pin, the governor with round belt drive present to a graduated three-groove crankshaft-mounted pulley for variable speed regulation. Other fine details include a highly ornate 35" diameter flywheel with six exquisite dog-tail curvilinear spokes, the flywheel with a 9 1/2" raised center face for flat-belt power takeoff, with an ornate outboard bearing stanchion with removable bearing cap and oil cup, the stanchion of an A-frame design with ornate legs mounted on 8" x 4" x 5" hardwood blocks, the main frame of heavy cast iron with integral front and rear supports each mounted on matching 24" x 12" x 5 1/2" mahogany hardwood plinths. Dimensions: overall height to top of flywheel - 46"; length over shaft - approximately 31"; overall width (including outboard bearing) - approximately 42"; height to top of governor - 54"; height to top of valve chest - 35"; overall length from flywheel rim to cylinder head - 66". This is a rare opportunity to acquire a historic engine of unique design in perfect running order. (See photos).