Name/Title
Engine, InboardEntry/Object ID
1972.064Description
Charles L. Seabury Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation Speedway Model F 1972.064
From the Charles L. Seabury Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation in Morris Heights, New York, this is a big, early gas engine that would have originally powered cruisers and speedboats around 1904-5. One of the earliest gas inboards, it has an open transmission and probably originally had an open crank-case, though currently there are sheet metal plates made to fit around it. It is a huge straight six cylinder L-head, arranged in blocks of one, 102 inches long and 46 inches high. It is an unusual L-head, as the intake is near the top of the cylinder and the exhaust comes out the bottom of the L. The cam-shaft drives valves for the exhaust, and push rods lead up between the cylinders to rocker-arms which open the fuel valves by pressing on plungers in the top of the cylinders. All of the rocker-arms are missing. This was originally a dual-ignition engine, with a three-magnet Bosch high-tension magneto, and an induction coil. At some point it was converted to magneto ignition only, and the induction coil and second spark plugs removed. The current spark plugs are curious, they are simply finely-knurled metal cylinders, about 1.25 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches tall, with brass binding posts on top. A shaft which comes up from the camshaft and has a gear on the end probably originally spun the distributor for the timing of the spark from the induction coil. It is a single updraft fuel intake, with a big carburetor and about a two and a half inch diameter brass pipe intake manifold. It is probably capable of about sixty to ninety horsepower. It is missing its oiling system, which was most likely very sophisticated, with an oil box and individual oil lines to different points of lubrication.
This engine was originally acquired by the Adirondack Museum from the widow of Ralph Earle of Camp Katia on Upper St. Regis Lake in 1965. In 1967 it was used as a parts engine for the restoration of the Speedway engine belonging the Gold Cup raceboat Skeeter. What remained was donated to ABM by the ADK Museum in 1972. During that restoration, which was done by Charlie Keough, the nameplate was removed from the engine which is now ours and placed on the engine from Skeeter. In our Speedway file we have photographs of that nameplate, which identifies our engine, as Model F, #3. This story is corroborated by Hallie Bond at the Adirondack Museum; the complete correspondance is in the file for this item.
This is a very rare engine which represents several important steps in the evolution of gas engines, such as the early tendency toward long stroke engines, oil-box oiling system, early dual ignition system, and over-under valves. Unfortunately it is missing many pieces, such as the entire oiling system, induction ignition system, all rocker arms, and other details such as one priming cup and, of course, the nameplate. In this condition it is not really worthy of display, since many of its important features are missing, and it is difficult to see how it works without many of those pieces. The exposed crankshaft, rods, and journals are very dry and there is a film of rust throughout the crankcase. Restoration of this item would be a big project, and would require a parts engine, or else very extensive machinework. Because of the significance of this engine, it should be done if an opportunity presents itself. EVS 2007Collection
Inboard EnginesAcquisition
Accession
1972.064Source or Donor
Adirondack MuseumAcquisition Method
DonationMade/Created
Manufacturer
Charles L. Seabury Consolidated Shipbuilding CorporationNotes
Date: 1904-1905Location
Wall
WestRoom
Bay 1Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility
