Engine Spotter's Guide: L, LA, & LB Engine Photos Only

[Colin Rush]

The earliest LA engines came with the WICO Model A magneto. (For those that do not know, WICO stands for Witherbee Ignition Company.) The A was a so-so mag, and was not well-supported. I understand they were fussy, and the magnets were not strong, and only got weaker over time. The A was eventually superseded by the AH, which looked virtually identical. I understand almost no parts are available new, unless you can score some NOS parts someplace.

These pictures are of two WICO mags. Ignore the four-cylinder model. The one-cylinder model is the WICO A. Neither of these came from McCormick/IHC engines. I just posted this because these are about the best pictures I have been able to find of the Model A mag. I believe the cover on the front may be on inside out. If this one was out of an LA, then it would have a gear on the drive side.

[benmaples]

Have ya'll ever seen an LB with an extended water jacket? Worth having or should I avoid it? Was this factory or homemade? Thanks

[Colin Rush]

Originally Posted by benmaples

Have ya'll ever seen an LB with an extended water jacket? Worth having or should I avoid it? Was this factory or homemade? Thanks

That is a factory optional water hopper extension. I believe there were three sizes, with the tallest being about 4 feet tall, and which I think was offered on a milking machine or milk cooler.

The water hopper extension was available for engines that worked non-stop and/or very hard and that did not get a lot of ventilation. They needed something to take up the waste heat, so increasing the water volume was an easy way.

Those were made of stamped steel and welded on the bottom edge, much like a gas tank in a truck or tractor. Often they are rusted out by now. If yours is pretty bad, you might be wise to pull it, hot tank it, galvanize or seal it, paint it, and reinstall so that it does not rust completely through.

Please post the info from your tag.

BTW, if yours is rusted through, or you decide you do not want it, I would be interested in getting that from you..

[benmaples]

Originally Posted by Colin Rush

Not sure what that means. Haven't bought or looked at it yet. Thanks for the info Colin.

[Colin Rush]

Originally Posted by benmaples

Not sure what that means. Haven't bought or looked at it yet. Thanks for the info Colin.

That was my unsuccessful attempt to embed a YouTube video instead of just a link. I see it done on other websites, but it does not work here.

Here is what I was trying to post, in a more elegant means than just a hyperlink:

http://www.youtube.com/v/IqkzlSaxZR4

It has the wrong color, and the wrong muffler, but it has the old original Wico magneto.

[Colin Rush]

Here is a single of a barn-fresh unit, for sale. This has the earlier Wico mag. I know nothing else about it.

[Colin Rush]

Here is a nice 1.5/2.5 HP LA that I found for sale at an auction. It has the optional pump jack attached, and appears to still have the original colors. It is serial number A419033.

[Colin Rush]

Here is a nicely restored 3 to 5 horsepower LB owned by Andrew Albrecht out of Cincinnati, Ohio.

For pictures of more of his collection on SmokStak, click on the LINK.

If you like what you see on that site, it is better if you join. You get some privileges that the non-subscribers do, and can view more photos and threads.

[Colin Rush]

Here is a pretty good video showing some guy fill, lube, start, adjust, shut down, and drain his engine. It looks like it has a reproduction fuel tank. It is not nearly as nice as an original, if that is the case. Based on his comments, this must be the 3-5 HP unit.

[Colin Rush]

Here is a beautiful restoration of an LB with one of the extended water hoppers. The hopper is steel, held to the main body with a special clamp inside.