mtnlvr

Hi,

My Father has an old Olson & Rice engine. He believes it to be a gas (or alcohol and castor oil) side port .23. It had a functioning spark plug but is missing the timing (ignition) mechanism. If anyone has any information about the old O&R engines please chime in. He is interested in getting the parts needed to get the engine in running condition or possibly selling it.

Thanks,

Jeremy.

rmh

Look for engine collectors --
search the web
These engines came as a glo or spark - the glo had a little cover over the front of the crankshaft end of the front housing
The ignition had a housing and arm in the same place .
there were a lot of these made - not a lot of value unless very pristine.
The tube sticking out of the rear of the engine is the air inlet and needle valve assy
on the ignition -these had a little bowl and this was the tank -- if this is intact -the engine could be worth more --
The engines were not very powerful - if it will not turn over - it was probably run on glo fuel -and the castor oil has gummed it .

Antique

My Feedback: (4)

If the original plastic tank is on the back do NOT put glow fuel in it..It will melt..I did that in 1946, when glow plugs first came out..Ohlsson made an aluminum tank to be used for glow fuel...That old glow fuel contained nitrobenzine, now banned, and smelled like shoe polish...
I used to chase my sister around the back yard, holding mine in my hand while running it with the plastic prop (9-6?)...
Glow plugs had replaceable elements..The Champion was and still is the best glow plug ever made, had an idle bar when no one even knew what an idle bar was...I still have one in the original box...They work GREAT in a 4 cycle engine....Look just like a spark plug, Champion logo and all....

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

The O&R 23's were produced from 1941 to 1949 in many variations, with more than one timer design. You would have to post a photo for more information, as the heads, timers, mounting lugs, etc were all different. Its easier to pinpoint the year of manufacturer with a good photo...

Parts are available from Aeroelectric, contact:

Aeroelectric
Woody Bartelt
3706 North 33rd Street,
Galesburg, MI
49053

[email protected]

But please note, a complete replacement timer assembly costs about $40 US...

Best of luck,
Andrew Coholic
MECA #4651-12

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I remember using the redish O&R glow fuel with the different smell. I used it in McCoys and Foxes. It was cheap. Most of the O&R engines were not worth the trouble in the mid fifties. They were a curosity only, even then every body had one on the shelf, it seemed. I came across a bottle of nitro benzene in chemistry lab when at college some years later. It had that same shoe polish smell. After looking at the bottle for a while, I determined that it was 50% water. I left it alone anyway.

The nicest smelling fuel was something like DeFransico Racing fuel. Don't remember the details of it except for the wonderful smell.

A little side trip of nastalga -- sorry

Jim

rmh

Powermist --All I ever used in my 23/29 and even my Bluestreak.

mtnlvr

Here are some photos guys. If you can narrow it down to what model, year, or anything this engine is, that would be great. I think my Father is interested in selling it too, so if you know of anyone that may be interested, have them post or PM me.

mtnlvr

Here's some more.

RJConnet

I believe the stamped metal beam mounts were a post WWll change from the original cast beam mounts (prewar). I have a 23 in pieces including timer (no plastic tank though). If you're interested PM me............ RJ

Antique

My Feedback: (4)

Bought mine in 1945 or 1946, looked just like that one except mine was tapped for the 1/4-32 spark plug, yours looks like it has a 3/8 spark plug in it....

GeraldO

My Feedback: (2)

Some of the 1/4 x 32 threaded spark plugs had a 3/8 hex size and others others had a 5/16 hex. The plugs with actual 3/8 threads could not possibly be made to fit the OR.23, it would be practically as big as the cylinder. But if you look carefully at the photos you can read on the plug that it is a V-2 which is the 1/4-32 thread.

There's a post in the vintage forum that would indicate this engine was made sometime between 1940 to early 1946 based on the serial number on the back.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...tm.htm#1062223