Stover 12 hp hit and miss engine

[Mattmoore94 0]

I found this stover hit and miss engine and I’m trying to learn more about it. The owner told me to make an offer but I don’t know wher to start. There are two. They’re missing the pistons rods and many more parts. I’m also trying to determine a weight as to wether or not my trail or could even hold it. Any help would be appreciated. Is it worth buying? Is there any hope of finding parts? Or is just the shell worth it?

Edited June 20, 2020 by Mattmoore94
Auto correct changed the first word in the title

[WHNJ701 4,165]

of course they are worth something but i highly doubt you will ever find all the missing parts to make it run. it  looks cool that's about it. if your looking for a hit miss engine your better off looking for a running one and complete one.  

[ebinmaine 67,271]

@Stepney could weigh in at some point.

He's got a fair amount of knowledge of flywheel engines.

 

The physical weight of those is likely 100 to 125 pounds PER horsepower IF complete.

 

Anything is worth buying if nothing but to supply parts to another and save it from scrap.

 

[Chaz54 57]

Are there any hit n miss clubs in your area?

 

You might try looking at:  http://www.hitnmiss.com/links.html

 

[WHX?? 48,776]

Might have been a better topic in other brands Matt but  but what’s not to like about a Stover. Every one here loves them and if they don't gotta answer to me. 

 Best offer as I am seeing it is for scrap value. Truly a labor of love but might be worth something to Chaz's idea.

Check out some other hit and miss sites. 

[ZXT 2,401]

Being a 12HP, that engine is going to be better than 2,000 LBS if it is complete. Certainly worth getting, even if you just resell it to a collector for parts/restore. Is the hopper busted on the one? Looks fine but I can't see the other side. There are people out there who would love to have parts off of those.. They certainly aren't making them any more!

 

Very cool find regardless. If I were in your position, I would drag them home.. But then again, I'll drag just about anything home 

 

Welcome to the forum!

[stevasaurus 22,707]

The above guys are right.  You will need a lathe and a machine shop to make the parts to get it to run.  They are just not available anymore.  If you can get it for nothing, it will make one heck of a lawn ornament, and you will have people stopping by to see if you want to sell it.  You could put 300 Wheel Horses that run , in a collection for less money then you would waste messing with that.  

   They had one like that...about that size...a few years ago at the steam show in Sycamore, Ill.  It sat for 4 days and finally the guy was willing to let it go for $50. (he did not want to haul it out of there again).  I do not know if he sold it.

   There is a certain fascination with these hit and miss engines, but if it is not a runner, you can bury a lot of bucks in one and never get it to run.  If you have to have one, find one that runs (not that big)...clean it and put it in your dining room to show.

   The alternate best advise, go to a steam show near you with your lawn chair, and sit and talk with the people that have them running.  After 4 days of listening to a hit and miss...well, just go to all the shows that satisfy the craving.    Money well spent.

    Hey, there is a jar of something with a lid on it there.  There was a song from the 50's that had to do with a well and pump and the jar with the primer water sat there.  You could drink the water out of the jar, or you could take a chance and prime the pump and have all the water you would ever need...the song was about taking that chance.  I wonder if I can find that on You-Tube.   

   I found it.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=C3T-7bbhkeg&list=RDAMVMC3T-7bbhkeg

[WHNJ701 4,165]

if you are interested in getting into these hit miss engines, the international lb (throttle gov engine) is a good choice.  almost every part is still available.  

I inherited one and unfortunately it's stuck and was missing a few parts.  the reality is I am going to spend 5 times what it's worth to get it running.  but that is why it's a hobby, you do it to enjoy it

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

T😎

[Stepney 2,325]

That is a BIG engine and would be a major labor of love to restore to working order. You will be into a lot of custom parts. All in all she will come in to total about 1650lbs. That's what the one I work on weighs. I think this one is 1913.

I am actually helping with the restoration of nearly the same engine, a 12hp Stover that ran a local sawmill. 

If you want to play that engine game, do yourself a favor and subscribe to SmokStak. It's an online forum for all things old engines, like RS is to us. 

 

There are some rare parts on that engine.. IF someone needed them, you have gold...

The thing is, there's pretty much nothing (important) left on that hulk, notwithstanding the badge and timing gear. 

Seeing the bracket hanging off the somewhat complete one, I would bet anything the low tension ignitor ignition failed and it was fitted with a more modern WICO EK mag before being retired. All your trip linkage is gone. Ignitor/head are gone. Carb gone.. they aren't incredibly rare but you won't likely see another 2 in the same place. 

Value.....

Scrap value.. sorry.. but thats it. If the guy cares at all and wanted them preserved they'd better be free to .. maybe low hundreds tops to cover the iron value.

Your looking at thousands in restoration unless you get incredibly lucky.

I'd see if he knew their original locations or any previous hands who may have had something to do with it.. never know. You may just track down some of the old parts. If those bits are missing off both there's a good change there had been a third either owned or the parts sold off to keep her operable. Where it could be now is anyones guess. But it never hurts to try. I've followed the trail a time or two, I've had a dozen or more engines. 

 

Did see the fuel pump there on one.. again.. not easy to find so that's a plus. 

 

That would be a massive undertaking. This one we are restoring was mostly complete and even turns over. 2' braze along the bottom of the jacket and a new sleeve later, mechanically she's almost ready to roll again. 

[ZXT 2,401]

On 6/20/2020 at 7:16 AM, jabelman said:

if you are interested in getting into these hit miss engines, the international lb (throttle gov engine) is a good choice.  almost every part is still available.  

I inherited one and unfortunately it's stuck and was missing a few parts.  the reality is I am going to spend 5 times what it's worth to get it running.  but that is why it's a hobby, you do it to enjoy it

If he wanted to get into hit or miss engines, why would he get a throttle governed? 

 

Our antique engine club had a small show at my place yesterday. Had about 25 people show up. Nothing bigger than about a 3HP showed up though. Rained pretty good Friday evening which kept a number of people away.

 

I should've drug the 6HP Gilson out and ran it but didn't. Completely forgot about taking any pictures as I was busy cooking burgers. We did have an RJ show up though!

Edited June 21, 2020 by ZXT