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TWO-CYLINDER TEAR-DOWN

Waking up a 1915 International Harvester Co. engine

A   1915    engine, carefully   removed,    awaits  inspection  and

disassembly after   95-plus years.  This    particular  vehicle had been

used    by  a   mercantile  store   in  a   small   Midwestern  town    and was

owned   by  the same    family  until   1998.   It  then    became  part    of  the

writer’s    collection.

By Gerald Perschbacher

pen the shut-off cock. Be sure sufficient oil is in the crank case and
gasoline is in the tank. See that the spark level (lower level on the
steering post) is retarded (in utmost forward position). Open the throttle
lever (upper lever on steering post) part way. Place the switch plug on
the coil, turn to “Bat” for battery, then hand crank with a rapid motion.
If that doesn’t work, prime the cylinders via the priming cups. If the
spark is OK, then the vehicle will start. Once the engine starts, throw the
switch from “Bat” to “Mag,” then advance the spark and close the