Got my Empire B42 in today from eBay. Looks pretty but has some problems for sure. I am going to give it a try to get her to run but might be just for display.
- As expected the sight glass seals needed refreshing. That was pretty easy, practice makes perfect on these Empire sight glass seals. The upside the fittings and glass gave me zero issues.
- Tested for shorts on the heater, it seemed to test okay on the meter.
- I got ahead of myself and gave it a steam up test before taking anything apart. All kinds of thick smelly smoke came up, so I powered it off quickly. Smoke was from some kind of oil that dripped down into the tank area. I had to pull the heater out on the primary (whistle side) and clean all between the mica & tank. Oh, one of the heater irons was missing both nuts!
- Tested the heaters individually they both tested as I would expect for Empire heaters.
- The secondary tank (without whistle) is a bit of a mess as it is smashed but worst it has a leak on one of the mounting screws on the underside. It would likely be best to replace this tank, if I had one. I am going to try and repair the leak but I doubt I can fix how it is smashed to one side :'-(
Photos attached before I started any work.
I got her working, can hardly believe it! Photo attached of what the secondary tank looks like, the fitting closest to sight glass leaked. Also a photo what it looks like under the bottom cover :-)
https://youtu.be/njJTuXUHy_g
Well you've simply got to be DELIGHTED with that!!!
The dent is not readily noticeable being under the cylinder assembly, so I personally would be able to live with that until a donor boiler comes along for replacement, if ever.
Very nice .... you are one LUCKY BOY!!!
I have to say, I am tickled pink that it is running. I also can't believe the whistle top is still with this engine - it is so loose it moves around from the engine's vibration. It is also a fragile little guy too. I need to figure a way to keep it on without it creeping in circles...
I'll be on a look out for a donor, though it won't keep me up at night either not finding one ;-)
Looks really nice on the Empire Book Case!
Whilst I was working on the B42 I forgot to bid on a Empire No. 52 Saw accessory that I wanted as much as this engine! I would have paid double what it went for, as I don't recall ever seeing one for sale.
The engine runs nicely! Unusual design, I understand you are pleased now that it is running.
Allow me to ask, as I am not familiar with Empire engines: both cylinders drive the same crankshaft - but have individual steam valves? Or am I missing something?
Yes both drive the shaft! :-)
From a book that I have on Empires, they are rare. Empire made these from 1926 until 1930 and not many made for the price of $26.
Rich, you have worked wonders getting that Empire running. I myself had a B-42, but could never get it to run...sold it on. Yours is a jewel. If your whistle top is still loose, smear some CA (super glue) on the male base and press the top over it...let dry and it won't rattle loose again.
Best of luck with it and your whole Empire collection...a beautiful set of engines and accessories.
Rog
Rog,
That's a nice tip to use super glue, I don't think I would have tried that: thinking the glue would not stick / hold on the metal. Thank you!
As I dove deeper into the engine I really started to think it was going to be a "display only" engine. When I took the bottom off and the iron cover for heater blanket was missing two nuts my stomach dropped. Then I discovered the leak and that the smash to the secondary tank was a lot worse (with it all together it doesn't look so bad). I felt like I was rolling down hill real fast. Likely in my younger years I would have thrown the thing against the wall but instead I took a big breath and walked away for a bit to think / chill. After about 30 minutes I prep'ed the secondary tank and got out my sweating pipe stuff to sort out that leak. Put her back together and made that video that I shared a few posts back. Can't really put into words how happy I was that she ran. I also think getting all the other Empires and working on them prepared me for this B42! :-)
I now have flushed both tanks a few times and disassembled the sight glasses to clean them - I think I finally got them cleaned and no more floaties seen in the sight glasses. The secondary tank was a mess of brown stuff and I am now thinking perhaps a previous owner put in sealant (say like you put in a radiator to temporally stop a leak).
Here is a close up photo how that secondary tank's sight glass looked - I don't ever recall a Empire's sight glass so gummy/brown.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Rich, if you use CA glue on the whistle top....clean both male and female parts well with a good solvent...THEN CA glue can grab onto the metal. The stuff is amazing, even cures cracks in cylinders if not too big. I found slices of silicone tubing also worked well as gaskets inside Empire sight glass fittings.
Rog
Nice video Richard....you have certainly breathed new life into that unit. Another boiler should not be too hard to find, B-30 horizontal type should be a direct swap.
Then again, it runs great as is...may be better to let it be!
Rog
That Empire equipment is impressively substantial . I love the way they look . Run good too !
D. E. Jones
Hi Rich,
Congratulations on a great find! Those B42's are indeed rare, and the fact that you were able to get it running is the cherry on the cake. It's remarkable too that the whistle cap was intact, especially with the damage to the other side of the engine. I was so stoked when I purchased my B31 with the unbroken whistle, that I completely missed the fact that it had no heater.
Anyway, loved the videos -- your becoming one of the resident experts on the Empire brand! Have fun!
Thanks Paula, kind words <3