bowtiebutler956 166 #1 Posted March 13, 2015 Hello all. I thought I'd share my most recently acquired project. Its an old International LB 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hp stationary engine. I have been collection old air cooled engines for awhile now, but this is my first of this type engine. Its getting a full restoration. The engine wasn't in to bad a shape when I got it. No compression, but it wasn't stuck, and it was complete. Here are a couple pics of it before disassembly. Matt 7 Stormin, meadowfield, pmackellow and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slf-uk 914 #2 Posted March 13, 2015 That's a good solid looking engine Matt, what age would that be? Iain 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #3 Posted March 13, 2015 I've never seen one of these with a rope start on them before, and I think initially, I'll leave it off, and just use the crank handle. The large triple groove pulley was very rusty, and it really didn't want to come off as you can see in the pics below. After a little time with a hot wrench, it was off. In the picture of the cylinder below, the pitted section is not actually the cylinder, its the combustion chamber. The piston stops about 1 inch before the top. You can see its had some water in it at some point, but the section the piston travels is still in fair shape, and should be fine. The frost plug was rotted out of the bottom of the block, and the lip it sets against was almost gone as well. I was able to set a new plug in there good, and tight, but I had to run JB Weld around the outside when done, to make sure it seals. Its not going to leak now, and with it being on the bottom, no one will ever see it once the engine is all back together. Matt 2 Ian and Anglo Traction reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #4 Posted March 13, 2015 Although the head has a few rust pits it should be fine, as the pits are not on the sealing surface. The seats cleaned up decent after cutting them with my Neway seat cutter. The valves on the other hand are junk! I'm having a new set of valves made for it, and they should be ready in about a week. as you can see in the 2nd picture, the top ring was stuck, and it came off in several pieces. I bought a new set of rings, and gaskets for it. The piston is in good shape, and after a good cleaning it was ready to go back in. I gave the cylinder a brief hone, just to give the new rings something to help them seat. The crankshaft was perfect. Matt 1 Ian reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #5 Posted March 13, 2015 I have to say this. Considering this is only a 2 hp engine, it is HEAVY!!!! Even with it stripped down to just the block, I hate trying to carry this thing around! I had to hunt down a few parts for this engine, like a lid for the water hopper, a correct valve cover wing nut, and oil fill plug. I also found a correct flat belt pulley to replace the triple groove one that I cut off. I've started painting, and I'm using the correct IH red for the job. I still have alot of painting to do, but the block, and head are done. I've ordered a set of new decals for it, as well as a replacement ID tag. This is where I'm at with this project as of today. Hope you guys enjoy the pics. Matt That's a good solid looking engine Matt, what age would that be? Iain Thanks, and these were made from 1940-48, and were some of the very last of this design. Matt 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #6 Posted March 13, 2015 Doing a nice job there. I'll swap you the amount of painting. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #7 Posted March 13, 2015 Doing a nice job there. I'll swap you the amount of painting. Thanks Stormin. Yep, repainting an engine is easy compared with a tractor. By the way, your doing a fine job with your GT. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-101plowerpower 548 #8 Posted March 14, 2015 hm hm, how i would like an engnine like that! looking really good matt, gonna be a proper job like the rest of your engine's 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo Traction 1,016 #9 Posted March 14, 2015 Great project/subject Engine Matt, good to see more of your restoration skills on here . It will certainly stand out amongst your many Black, Green & Silver Briggs Engines . I like the 'Lock Bolt' design in the Piston for the Wristpin (Gudgeon Pin UK), does away with the iffy Spring Rings. Now tell me, are you going to mount this one on a Block of White Oak on a Plinth, or make a Truck with some Cast Iron Wheels?. You describe it's weight in terms of pretty heavy, but I'm trying to gauge the size of it. What is the Output Shaft diameter?. Look forward to see/hearing this one running on a Vid if you can. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #10 Posted March 14, 2015 hm hm, how i would like an engnine like that! looking really good matt, gonna be a proper job like the rest of your engine's Thanks, and I am looking forward to adding it to my collection. Great project/subject Engine Matt, good to see more of your restoration skills on here . It will certainly stand out amongst your many Black, Green & Silver Briggs Engines . I like the 'Lock Bolt' design in the Piston for the Wristpin (Gudgeon Pin UK), does away with the iffy Spring Rings. Now tell me, are you going to mount this one on a Block of White Oak on a Plinth, or make a Truck with some Cast Iron Wheels?. You describe it's weight in terms of pretty heavy, but I'm trying to gauge the size of it. What is the Output Shaft diameter?. Look forward to see/hearing this one running on a Vid if you can. Thanks for the reply Richard. The factory cart that these engines could have come with is actually more of a 2 wheel dolly that bolts to the existing engine skids. I'm going to post a link to a thread with a pic of the original cart for an LB. If this is a no no, please feel free to delete it Moderators. Look at post #4 of this link. http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84002 Here is a link of a reproduction of this OE engine cart. http://www.ebay.com/itm/111620741966?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT That is currently a little out of my budget, but that is what I would like to put under my engine. The output shaft is 1 3/16" Richard, and its small as far as these engines go. I'll take a picture of it next to a Briggs engine, for a better comparison today. I too like the bolted wrist pin in the piston. This piston is cast iron, so it too, is very heavy for its size. Its easy to see why these were low speed engines (300-500 rpm's). You wouldn't want to spin an engine with a cast iron piston very fast, unless you like your pistons located outside the engine. Thanks Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #11 Posted March 14, 2015 I got a little more done today. I painted the flywheel, belt pulley, and rope start. I don't believe these engines ever came with a rope start. I do believe this was added very early in this engines life, and while I don't plan on installing it back on the engine, I figured I'd paint it, and put it away in case I change my mind down the road. I also took a couple of pics of this engine next to a Briggs Model N, for a size comparison. They're both about the same horsepower rating. Matt 1 Ian reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #12 Posted March 14, 2015 Great work Matt, the engine will look better than new by the time your done What did you use to clean the piston up? It looks like new.. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #13 Posted March 14, 2015 Great work Matt, the engine will look better than new by the time your done What did you use to clean the piston up? It looks like new.. Thanks Ian, and I used a 3M Scotchbrite pad to clean the piston. Matt 1 Triumph66 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #14 Posted March 16, 2015 This isn't much of an update, but I did put the flywheel on it today, so that I could line it up on TDC, and time the magneto. I also cleaned up the valve train. I'm afraid I'm going to be waiting awhile for my new valves to be made. I called the people that are making them for me, and they haven't gotten to them yet. My problem is, I'm not the patient type. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #15 Posted March 18, 2015 Slowly making a little more progress. I had to cut some mounting ears off the factory skids, that someone had bubble gum welded on them. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #16 Posted March 19, 2015 I still don't have my new valves, so I can't do any final assembly, but I still did some test fitting. The valve cover has been damaged in the past, so its going to require some bodywork. While I can do bodywork, its probably my least favorite part of any project. I don't mind the engine rebuilding, some fabricating, paint work, etc., but I hate using body filler, and doing all the necessary sanding to get it correct. No pain, no gain, right? Matt Oh, please ignore the ridiculously messy work bench. I think I need to fire the janitor! (Me) 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #17 Posted March 19, 2015 Very nice. That bench is tidy compared with mine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #18 Posted March 19, 2015 nice work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the showman 4,074 #19 Posted March 19, 2015 Thats looking really good Matt, great inspiration to do my Bradford ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #20 Posted March 19, 2015 Very nice. That bench is tidy compared with mine. nice work! Thats looking really good Matt, great inspiration to do my Bradford ! Thanks for all the kind words guys. Showman, I would love to see your Bradford. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the showman 4,074 #21 Posted March 19, 2015 Here ya go Matt 2 Anglo Traction and bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #22 Posted March 19, 2015 Here ya go Matt WOW! What a fantastic machine. I think you just made up my mind for me. I do believe my B-80 is going to be getting an IHC LB transplant. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #23 Posted March 20, 2015 I have a few updates today. My reproduction muffler, as well as an original Champion COM 1 (OE to this engine) spark plug arrived today, but the thing I'm most pleased with, is the way my valve cover turned out. I spent way to much time working on getting the dent, and all the rust pits out of this valve cover today, but it certainly paid off. You'd have a hard time ever knowing this valve cover was in bad shape, unless you look underneath, where all I did was paint it. Now, I wish I had taken the time to smooth the skids out, like I did the valve cover. Oh well. Here are some pics. Matt 1 Anglo Traction reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo Traction 1,016 #24 Posted March 20, 2015 Good work on the Valve Cover Matt. great finish....... obviously you have a surfeit of old screwdrivers for using as spacers/standoffs . Had a read of the Manual for that (LB) engine from the oldengine forum. Very interesting that there is a specific Piston for use in engines located 8000ft above sea level !!!!.....must have a compression ratio difference . Also see there is a complete Cylinder head/valves for sale (in Canada), so surprisingly, there are bits still out there for them. Hope you finish this Thread up with a short Vid of it running. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #25 Posted March 20, 2015 Good work on the Valve Cover Matt. great finish....... obviously you have a surfeit of old screwdrivers for using as spacers/standoffs . Had a read of the Manual for that (LB) engine from the oldengine forum. Very interesting that there is a specific Piston for use in engines located 8000ft above sea level !!!!.....must have a compression ratio difference . Also see there is a complete Cylinder head/valves for sale (in Canada), so surprisingly, there are bits still out there for them. Hope you finish this Thread up with a short Vid of it running. I knew somebody was going to comment on the screwdrivers! I have an assortment of lower end tools that I use for such things, but I'll still hit them with my wire wheel tomorrow. Yes, these were a high production engine, so there are still parts available for them. I guess I need to do some more reading in my manual, as I didn't know about the different pistons. Richard, I wouldn't dream of ending this thread any other way, than with a video of it running. You certainly are burning the midnight night oil, as I posted my original reply this evening (7pm my time), which is 1 am your time? I don't usually get any response till the following day. Thanks Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
