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Submitted: 3/12/18 • Approved: 3/12/18 • Last Updated: 4/15/18 • R41352-G0-S3
In 1917 Joe Skrdla Jr and Frank Skrdla Sr, two farm boys at age 16 and 17 accomplished their goal by hand building this small gas engine. The engine was copied from dad and mother's new 1916 Model T Ford. We started with a spool from a horse drawn orchard disk polished by hand. Using a broom handle and emery paper we mounted intake and exhaust valves on the cylinder. They were drain pet cocks used to check the oil on the model T. Operated by a quarter inch rod bent and twisted to operate the valves in time. The carburetor was then needle valve of a perfection coal oil stove. The electricity came from a wall telephone.
photograph courtesy of Michael Kane
Contributed on 3/12/18 by mjkane7
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Record #: 41352