McDonald Type AA Petrol Engine 1916 Built 4BHP @ 600RPM
Serial No 353
A H McDonald & Co commenced building petrol/kerosene engines with the Type A in 1906, their early examples having a single heavy flywheel supported on an outrigger bearing carried on a large cast base. These also had a heavy, cumbersome, McDonald-made brass carburettor. A later version had two flywheels, Schebler carburettor, and a much lighter base. Those early engines are most desirable, especially the ultra-rare twin-cylinder version.
An improved model, designated Type AA, retained the chain driven magneto and open governor, with further improvements resulting in the version we see here, with a single, large, disc flywheel, magneto driven off the other end of the crankshaft, and enclosed governor. Dating of these these evolutionary changes is somewhat obscure, but this model ceased production in 1918 when McDonalds introduced the first of their Brons fuelled diesel engines.
My engine was acquired in March 2019 from Victoria. As they rarely come up for sale, the opportunity was seized to obtain it, even though it was in pieces with no restoration attempted. In fact, the entire engine was transported home in the boot of the car. It proved to be reasonably complete, but in a rather poor state, with all bearings comprising more shims than bearing. Its Serial Number 353 places it as 1916 manufacture, and interestingly, this number is stamped on nearly every component, right down to the woodruff key that secures the flywheel! However, there is no nameplate, nor any evidence of one.
An improved model, designated Type AA, retained the chain driven magneto and open governor, with further improvements resulting in the version we see here, with a single, large, disc flywheel, magneto driven off the other end of the crankshaft, and enclosed governor. Dating of these these evolutionary changes is somewhat obscure, but this model ceased production in 1918 when McDonalds introduced the first of their Brons fuelled diesel engines.
My engine was acquired in March 2019 from Victoria. As they rarely come up for sale, the opportunity was seized to obtain it, even though it was in pieces with no restoration attempted. In fact, the entire engine was transported home in the boot of the car. It proved to be reasonably complete, but in a rather poor state, with all bearings comprising more shims than bearing. Its Serial Number 353 places it as 1916 manufacture, and interestingly, this number is stamped on nearly every component, right down to the woodruff key that secures the flywheel! However, there is no nameplate, nor any evidence of one.
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The engine was in quite poor condition, with badly worn bearings all roun., It has extensive frost crack repairs on the cylinder. The crankshaft was reground and new bigend, main and camshaft bearings made in bronze. New rings were sourced (2 to each groove), and valve blanks that were turned to size and length, and the seats recut. The Dixie magneto that came with it gave a poor spark and was rewound. A Schebler carburettor was acquired to replace the Model T supplied, and a lubricator of suitable size.
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A trolley was fabricated using wheels from stock, and a base made for the water tank that had been acquired years before and prooved just right for the job. A purpose made fuel tank was ordered to saddle mount on the water tank, and all the plumbing done. A genuine McDonald style muffler was fitted and secured to the trolley.
To be continued.
Its history is interesting. The engine was purchased new by the Gunbower Experiment Farm to demonstrate the first milking machine in the district, attracting visitors from far and wide. It was returned to the factory for overhaul and resold to a family in the same district, from a relative of whom it was purchased all these years later.
To be continued.
Its history is interesting. The engine was purchased new by the Gunbower Experiment Farm to demonstrate the first milking machine in the district, attracting visitors from far and wide. It was returned to the factory for overhaul and resold to a family in the same district, from a relative of whom it was purchased all these years later.