 | Home > Off Topic > Any idea what this is?! |
 
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| en48 Member Since: 17 Jul 2019 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 38   
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Firstly, I know it's an engine. Well, I think it is!
Found this clearing out my father in law's garage. It's amongst a whole load of things that I'd love to keep and play with one day (including three lathes of various sizes) but simply won't have the room for once we sell the house.  Click image to enlarge There are some bits that I can vaguely identify. I think I see a couple of cylinders, perhaps four valves, a flywheel of sorts, and a magneto, I think. There aren't many identifying features - I assume BTH is a make, but I can't seem to find much on the trusty internet. Click image to enlarge So, I guess the first question is whether I should be trying to find someone who would be interested in rebuilding it (and perhaps making a small contribution to the Hospice), or whether I should take it to the scrap yard and weigh it in for a fiver?! Thanks, Gareth |
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9th May 2021 1:51pm |
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| en48 Member Since: 17 Jul 2019 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 38
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Hmmm... I wonder whether it was an early generator then?!
Ironically, I've just found the same logo on the motor for what I think is a watchmaker's lathe. This logo is on what I would have described as the 'engine block'. It has been a long time since I've thought about engines. What I described as a flywheel doesn't have an obvious output shaft. Sometime, when I actually have some time on my hands, I might see if I can work out how the main components go back together - I don't kid myself that I could make it work, but I might be able to ask more sensible questions?! Thanks, G |
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9th May 2021 2:50pm |
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| lohr500 Member Since: 14 Sep 2014 Location: Skipton Posts: 1317 
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Fascinating.
There looks to be a serial number stamped on the crankcase . Can you make it out? Also, are there any markings inside the pistons? I have some old Hepolite piston catalogues and may be able to identify the engine from the numbers in the piston. I am thinking it could be a Douglas twin, but I can't find any pictures of Douglas engines with that style of inlet manifold or cylinder barrels. On the side of the BTH magneto close to where the cable operated lever is situated, does it say Type M2-W2? Hopefully with answers to some of the above it may help narrow down the search!! Douglas made a range of flat twin side valve engines, but I can't find any pictures on the internet that look like your engine. |
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9th May 2021 3:45pm |
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| en48 Member Since: 17 Jul 2019 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 38
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Hi..!
The two markings are: EV1597 and H 59, which is stamped near the base, twice, where the two halves are bolted together. I don't recall seeing any markings on the pistons - I did notice that one is damaged. Unfortunately, I'm now 100 miles away. But I'll have a look again next weekend down when we're back. Thank you though for your efforts! |
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9th May 2021 5:23pm |
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| lohr500 Member Since: 14 Sep 2014 Location: Skipton Posts: 1317
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Got as far as finding out that EV**** serial numbers were used on Douglas 350cc side valve engines in 1931/1932 from this website :
https://www.douglasmotorcycles.net/aa-file...age4.6.htm But on googling the bikes listed which used that engine, none of them look to have cylinder barrels or an inlet manifold like the ones in your pictures. They did use Douglas engines in gen sets and warehouse stillage trucks, so I wonder if the base engine also found its way into these applications. When you get chance, see if there is a military broad arrow on the magneto casing or anywhere else on the crankcase. It seems that there were some military gensets that used Douglas engines with that magneto. |
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9th May 2021 7:51pm |
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| Mini Landie Member Since: 23 Sep 2015 Location: Basingstoke Massiff Posts: 159 
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I like to think I'm quite good at internet sleuthing but this one has me stumped.
You may have to disassemble even further to find markings, but from what I've found online it seems like it could be a motorbike engine. Maybe send photos to a vintage motorbike restorer or join such a forum, and you may be lucky. 2003 90 TD5 Hardtop |
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9th May 2021 8:04pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3425  
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Not a motorcycle expert, but google is our friend.
Have a look at this site. It looks like the engine pictured there. Seeing the price the complete bike went for.... well you make the conclusion. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20469/lot/393/?category=list 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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9th May 2021 8:07pm |
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| lohr500 Member Since: 14 Sep 2014 Location: Skipton Posts: 1317
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@ Dinnu I don't think that's the engine. The engine on that bike has got overhead valves. en48's has got side valves.
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9th May 2021 8:32pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17450 
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A bit of further Googling (since I am not a vintage motorcycle expert) suggests that Douglas introduced an "improved engine" featuring overhead valves in 1923, in the 1923 "OHV Twin" machine, and prior to that they used side valves.
If you Google for images of 1920 Douglas engines you will find some images which are startlingly similar to the OP's engine. I would suggest that the OP tries to find a vintage or Douglas motorcycle expert and consult. |
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9th May 2021 9:24pm |
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| ickle Member Since: 22 Jul 2010 Location: South Vendee Posts: 1786  
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Just spoke to a friend who's a vintage mc buff - as BW says probably a Douglas of Bristol motor - apparently used as ww2 gen sets so that would key in with the other bits you've got.
Pete says he'll give it a good home for the pure interest of playing with something unusual! Keith |
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10th May 2021 8:23am |
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| NormanD Member Since: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Bristol Posts: 286  
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I would say definitely a Douglas, probably the best place to find out some more information would be the Douglas Motorcycler Club see link - https://douglasmcc.co.uk/ NormanD WE191
2015 110 XS Utility 2014 VW Caravelle 180 Executive |
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10th May 2021 8:37am |
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| en48 Member Since: 17 Jul 2019 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 38
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Awesome - thanks for all your help guys.
I'd spent quite a while on google, but with little to no success as I didn't have a clue where I was starting from. Ironically, I did think it might be an early motorbike engine, but in classic google doctor style, early 'research' proved me wrong. Obviously I gave up too easily. Thanks again - I'll do a bit more digging down the Douglas rabbit hole. (I should say, we have a LOT to do on the house, and homes to find for three lathes, a pillar drill and a thousand and one other things. I REALLY shouldn't be spending time on this engine. But it's so nice..! And, actually small. Maybe I might be allowed to keep it...) |
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10th May 2021 10:42am |
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| en48 Member Since: 17 Jul 2019 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 38
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It will be a week or so before we're back to have another look, but I will check for more markings.
I think I would have noticed a crow's foot - but I will check. And I'll let you know if I get any further on identifying it / finding it a new home! Thanks again. En48 |
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10th May 2021 10:47am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17450
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Any details on the lathes?
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10th May 2021 12:50pm |
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