My oldest bro. just restored this one, believed to be about 1910. Does anybody know where to find info? Wiki has nothing.
What kind/size of boat would that have been in?? That's pretty cool looking!
Hi RDR
This should look familiar
I posted these photos of a friend’s Roberts engine to this group back in 2009,
and with the help of a few members here was directed to the following link,
http://www.oldmarineengine.com/
where a gentleman named Ernie identified it for me.
Unfortunately my friend who passed away last August never did get a chance to work on it.
I had found a couple of ads and a patent (I think) covering the engine design.
Here is the patent followed by the ads . . .
Edmund Willson Roberts
Clyde, Ohio
Assignor to The Roberts Motor Co.
Sandusky, Ohio
Internal Combustion Engine
Patent number: 1101332
Filing date: Aug 31, 1908
Issue date: Jun 23, 1914
http://tinyurl.com/7hhubnr
http://preview.tinyurl.com/7hhubnr
I spoke to his son a while ago and gave him the info so he could see if there was any
interest in it in this area, but I see he has had some lookers, but no takers as of today.
Here is his ad – Perhaps he is asking a little to much. He may just donate it to a local
pioneer site who will at least clean and paint it, and then display it with his dad's name as donor.
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-art-collectibles-Edmund-Roberts-Marine-Engine-from-early-20s-two-cylinder-W0QQAdIdZ326387692
Regards
Art
Thanks, Art; you're amazing. Could be the same engine, as my brother lives in Anacortes, and he may have bought it in BC. I'll find out.
rdr
Boy, that's a great looking motor Ricks.
For displacement hulls back in yonder days, I believe the rule of thumb was about 1 hp per ton of displacement. I could be wrong about that.
Without looking in my stash of Gas Engine Magazines I want to say that there was some information on these some time ago in one of them.
I'm sorry that this is so sketchy, but perhaps there is a directory on past articles of that magazine.
Herb
This four cycle Universal Fisherman will push a 24 foot displacement boat. It is a 12 horsepower with forward neutral and reverse. It has a reduction gear system, a starter and a generator. It is from the late 20's. It has a Ricardo head on it. I am in the process of buying the Universal Fisherman. I started cleaning the parts for an elderly lady and now she wants to sell it to me. Although I really don't need another project because I have three Model T's on the floor.
The nice two cylinder engine posted at the top of this string is a two cycle motor. The engine is stopped and re-started in the other direction in order to back up. One must have faith to run that type of engine.
Hi rdr
Here is another patent for the Roberts engines.
I’m still looking for the booklet/pamphlet/ad ? that I
remember printing for my friend, but no luck so far.
I may not have kept the file.
His engine is missing the distributor cap, so depending
on what they decide to do with the engine, I may get
back to you for a close up photo of the cap on your
brothers engine.
Edmund Willson Roberts
Sandusky, Ohio
Assignor to The Roberts Motor Company
Sandusky, Ohio
Patent number: 1210537
Filing date: Dec 2, 1913
Issue date: Jan 2, 1917
http://tinyurl.com/3r5h6cp
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3r5h6cp
Regards
Art
I'll throw in another Roberts ad here as it includes drawings and info on the smaller engines.
Regards
Art
Well Ricks, to answer tour question, if you believe the ad that Art Bell posted above:
"Full details will be supplied if you write the factory at Sandusky"
Herb
Hi, I'm Hark Hervey in So. Pasadena, CA.
I have a 2 cylinder Roberts, identical to
the one pictured at the top of this thread.
It's being prepared to go into a 14' wineglass
stern launch built by the Geo. Lawley firm
(Boston) in 1927.
I'm trying to contact the second gentlemen who
had a similar but unrestored engine for sale, as
I'd like to buy that engine to complete mine.
Can anyone help?
Hi Hark
I'm the Art that posted Roberts info and the link to the kijiji ad above.
I just spoke to the seller (Jim) and understand that he has responded
to your message by leaving a reply message with your secretary.
Let me know if I can be of further help.
Regards
Art
Ralph, build him an Aeroplane for that motor. Way cool!
Hey Ralph, Hark Hervey is a LBMTC member! Small world!
Talk about a small world, I own the Steamboat hull that Hark built decades ago! SL Sinbad. BTW, it's for sale too!
T'
David D.
Not only is Hark a member of the L.B.M.T.C. but he's an expert on Model A's and one hell of a great guy.
Known him for years.
Mike.
Hi guys, I have acquired one of these old 2 cyl 2 stroke motors, nearly 95% complete and in good greased condition, rings even look useable! But it is all in parts and in need of a thorough restore. Does anyone have any information on anything, 360 degree pics, original carb info.. and leads on parts or other stuff? I'm located in Mountain Home, Arkansas and have found this jewel in an old barn.. without any model, hp or numbers stamped on the cylinder plate, just the Roberts Motor company design and logo and the "The motors that never backfire" slogan. If people are still watching this thread and want pics, I will gladly get back with some. I have already given this motor to my local machinist, Bob Davis, so we can begin piecing it back together to life. When complete, I will post final pics, information gathered as we get it and Bobs info, his work is amazing and he has had his hand in some rather famous and interesting pieces. thanks a bunch!
I have a display with the Last 3 unused data plates for the Universal fisherman,Universal Crabber,and the Universal Ford. When they closed.
The universal Ford serial # Tag ment the motor would run all day just like a Model T Ford.
Sent you a PM, Dennis, with Clarence's fone. He loves to talk about those things.
Hi, Dennis -- Are you aware of the Arkansas Tin Lizzies Model T club? We have members all over the state and in several other states. There are a couple of members in the Mountain Home area, so give me a holler at waterwalk99@hotmail.com or 479-790-4229 and I'll try to connect you with some Model T folks in your area. Our club website is at www.ArkansasTinLizzies.com
This is the place to start when it comes to old marine engines.
http://www.oldmarineengine.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topics
March, 1909 in The Horseless Age"
Thanks, Rob; sending it on.
Guys, thanks a bunch for your responses, very exciting to be moving forward with this! I'll get with Bob first thing tomorrow so we can both get in contact with you via the number you provided above, and look over the club link. When we talk, he is the man that knows exactly what to ask and will understand what info we get, much better than I will.. So I'd like to keep him close in the loop. Thanks again and looking forward to lots of further conversations! Will post pics soon as I can get them below 200kb each.
I bought one just cause I like the name tag.
Mike Walker, Bob had tried calling you, but wasnt able to raise anyone on the line.. incase you wanna bypass me for times sake and have any interest in talking to him about this engine, his number is 870-425-8794 and will answer during business hours. thank you again for the great information to get us in touch with the right folks.
as promised, here are the pictures. just took a bit to get them switched around from one system to the next and shrunk. everything is in great condition really, nothing is stuck/seized.
at this moment, im looking for original primer cups, a crank case viewer cover, champion X spark plugs and i think 2 k&w coils/buzz boxes. does anyone have any of this to spare?
i found spark plugs on ebay, and we could make the view plate if needed, but would rather have original. thanks in advance for any information!
oh, i just ordered a schebler carb yesterday, found what i believe is a complete one on ebay for $135 shipped, and seems to be in pretty great condition. here is the one i ordered.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-AUTOMOBILE-THE-SCHEBLER-CARBURETOR-1902-/2611141 38844?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&nma=true&si=%2FSBWTvYH5q3d nLdH%2BYVUCUFCMn0%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc