Steam Car Blog

​Well after an eventful start to the weekend with the Range Rover developing a boost leak and the trailer getting a flat tyre, I finally got to George Hounslow's house for some work on the Nelson!
Ever since I have owned the car, it hasn't steamed well. It has been very lazy raising steam and once running it was very unreliable at re-lighting often causing blowbacks and fires the wrong side of the burner plate.
George and Peter worked all weekend to clear the fuel system and generally check over the whole car. I am chuffed to say it is now running incredibly well and looks like it generates steam very well. Next job is to get a steam test and I can take it for some proper test drives on the road.
I had previously cleaned out the fuel tank (Thinking this was the cause of the issue) but had overlooked the fuel pressure vessel! Turns out this was full of rusty, sludgy gunk! It was this gunk that kept blocking the entire system.
I cannot thank George and his family enough (Peter Hounslow & Sarah Hounslow) for making me feel so welcome and being so generous with their help, guidance, time & delicious food haha. I have learnt so much this weekend and look forward to many more weekends like it. This is what being part of the Steam Community is all about.

Thank you to Ian Larcher for providing us with these fascinating pieces of Literature on White, Locomobile, American, Crossland and Vapomobile Steam Cars. 

Billy Barnes has almost finished this 1910 Stanley Model 60, just awaiting paint. 

Jim Trotta writes:
My new water pre-heater which uses exhaust steam thru heat exchange. The water side has water from the water pumps to boiler. This is so you can use heat from the exhaust steam to heat the incoming water. This helps greatly as your not putting cold water into the boiler.

The Hood Steam Car, produced in Massachusetts by the Simplex Motor Vehicle Company between 1900 and 1901. It featured a single-acting, four cylinder engine with a magnetic admission valve, with the exhaust ports being opened by the pistons. The intake valves were operated by three small electric batteries, and superheated steam was produced in a flash boiler. 

Little more is known of this make of Steam Car, if you have any further information please contact us. Anthony Theriault is looking for more information on the marque, and provided the photos of a survivor below. 

Here are some photos of the cars Bill Barnes has recently been working on.  A Stanley 740 tourer, 731 Roadster, SV Sedan, 1914 Stanley 606, and a 1923 Stanley 740 Roadster. 

Steam Dreams writes:
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I’m rebuilding a 20 HP Stanley engine. The block was apparently operated with too
little steam oil and the valve seats were damaged as well as a bronze repair was attempted with poor results.
This repair of the worn valve seats uses a machined steel plate and high temperature silver solder - very pleased with the results. Gilbert Hall and Rempco did the work. My crank gear also had a broken tooth, I had a NOS gear that was pressed on.

Mark Herman writes:

Amelia Island 2020, 1st in class, 1902 Grout Brothers Steam Car Model K Prototype. Bill and Barbara Parfet, Hickory Corners, Michigan.

Congratulations to the Parfets, Mark Iles, and the M S Herman & Co crew:
Peter Kruger
Fran Gozzi
Al Romano
Scot Sanford
Tom Kokenchak
The best team ever.

Billings Cooke continues to work on his Grout Steam Car Tilly:
"From what we can gather from photos of other Grouts, Tilly originally had 1 brake on the differential hub. Dad put a cable pulley system on Tilly when he added the second shoe. It's a tight fit, because the brake linkage has to pass through the engine. Took me a bit, but we're upgraded to rods."

Tom Attwood writes:
This weekend just past, saw the first steaming of the year for my Stanley 726 that I was lucky enough to acquire just a few months ago. Greatly encouraged in the purchase by George Hounslow having spent the New Forest Tour navigating for him on his Porter Steam Car. I am incredibly grateful to George and his parents for then leading the recommission of the car, sorting out a number of jobs associated with wear and tear, as well as preparation and arranging a hydraulic and steam boiler test. A number of safety improvements/replacement parts, not to mention extremely good tuition in maintenance, management and driving! After many weekends work from myself but 10x more from George, we had a very successful 3 days cruising around Wiltshire in some pretty challenging terrain at times. The Stanley performed faultlessly and I really couldn't be happier with it! Here's to a busy 2020!
Unfortunately the weather has been rotten and the roads are filthy so the car got quite dirty, the photo below was taken Sunday morning. However, Sunday afternoon was spent in the garage cleaning for a few hours!

The Grout Steam Car that is being restored by M.S Herman & Company is coming together after much hard work.

​Engine rebuild progress...the block, piston rods, crank assembly, heads, are all shipped off to the machine shop for machine work. The block will be bored and new pistons made (new rings too). The piston rods will be hard chromed and thread repair done...finally the crank gear will be replaced (chipped tooth) with a new old stock gear.

Mary and Scott Wetter traveled from America to attend the Melle Steam car tour held in Germany. Mary was keen to leaner to drive a coffin nose Stanley and here she is Driving one for the first time, she soon got up to speed driving a steam car for the first time..

‎Billings Cooke‎ to Friends who like Steam Car Network
 We are spending the afternoon at Old Sturbridge Village. The village is an open-air Museum. Once a year they open the Village Green to have an automobile Festival. The numbers of SACA Northeast use the event as a get together location for our June meetings.
We have four steam cars here today. My 1912 20 horse touring car John Linderman with his 20 horsepower 1910 model 70, David Nerrgaard in his 1923 Stanley and a 19-1 replica locomobile Surry. As you can see from the photos a good number of internal explosion cars. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Matt Shipton shared The National Traction Engine Trust's photo.
Thank you for the add.
I just wanted to share this post from yesterday on the NTET page.
If you are interested, please either email or message me direct.
 [email protected]

The National Traction Engine Trust

Today we have been plugging the Carfest events at which we are taking part.
It isn't the only new thing we are embarking on this year of course as we have previously announced.
August 4th, 5th & 6th will see the National host a marquee at the South Cerney event in Gloucestershire.
As well as all the usual information, membership and sales items we are also putting together a small display of Likamobiles and Locomobiles.
We already have a couple of fine examples lined up and would welcome a couple more to either sit outside in steam or as a static exhibit inside.
If you are interested please contact the National via: [email protected]
#ntetatcerney #steamontheroad #ntet

My father died in the 60s and always told us this was a Stanley Steamer engine. It has been sitting in garages for decades and is covered in dust. I did not want to use any chemicals on it to clean it as I those it might decrease its value.
​Can anybody help me to identity the engine please. 
​i would also like to sell the engine once i know what year and type it is.
 
Thanks. Tom
please let steam car network know your thoughts by using the comments box below.

 Michael Zerega It's early, dry engine, right hand drive

Mark Herman There should be a serial number stamped on the frame that will help identify the engine more accurately. It should be on the forged crossmember in the middle of the engine. Additionally the number of teeth on the gear will tell us what style of car it came from. Looks like a great artifact!
 
Daryl Kendall Appears to be an EX. Engine. 1908.
 
Steam Car Network I have been told it has 49 teeth.
 
Daryl Kendall It either a 1908 EX or a 1909 E2 engine . Probably miss counted the teeth , probably a 48 tooth. 3" bore x 4"stroke. Has numbers on the frame cross-member probably starts with a 6- 000
 ·
Daryl Kendall 1908 EX. Or a 1909 E2 engine. 48 tooth
 
Mark Herman Recheck the teeth, I think an EX has 49 teeth
 
Daryl Kendall 48 teeth on EX and E2

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The final day of the tour was a great success, the weather was very good and all the cars completed the day. With the cars now loaded in trailers for the homeward journey for us all it is time for the final Blowdown meal.

ROEL RASKER
5/2/2017
​Many Thanks to Heiner and his team. It was great fun to drive together. Best regards Roel

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DUDLEY WATTS
5/3/2017Good to meet up with old friends and new acquaintances at this super rally which takes in the beautiful countryside around Melle. The organisation, back up and coffee stops etc. could not be faulted. We would like to thank Heiner and his team of dedicated volunteers (and the weather!) for all the effort they put in. 
Lynette & Dudley Watts

BASIL CRASKE
Thank you Heiner and all the team of volunteers for the work put in to make the tour such a success.
It was really nice to catch up with old friends and make new friends  at this great event in Melle Germany.
Basil and all the gang .
​

 
Can any body help please.

I am attempting to find someone with a steam powered vehicle to attend a hobby enthusiast expo at the USS Iowa in San Pedro, Port of LA on May 7th. I have been unable to find anyone that has such a vehicle in the area. I know Jay Leno has quite the collection and we have spoken before, but I wouldn't imagine this event will be far too public for someone of his celebrity to attend. Do you know any individuals that may be inclined to help me out?

Thank you,

Charlie Giordano

Phone Number
USA     310 897 3723

Email
[email protected]

I have a steam engine similar to a Locomobile or Stanley engine.
It has the letters "G. A. & M. & Co." cast on the underside of the cylinders.
It is a twin cylinder with a Stephenson type linkage.
I have heard it may be manufactured by the Geneva Automobile Manufacturing Company.
​
Can anybody help identify this engine for me. Any other information would be appreciated.

Wayne Swenson

510 Woodland Trail
Fergus Falls, MN  56537
 
Phone Number
218.770.4623

Email
[email protected]