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4 H.P. Novo |
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Serial# 45618 - built April 1919 |
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I bought this Novo in 1999, and for the next three years it kept getting put on the back burner as other engines and projects came along. I guess I was just
staring it down because I couldn't figure out how to clean out the gas tank (integral with the block casting), and I thought about the fuel pump for a long time before I figured out how to rework the check ball seats. Meanwhile, other engines came along
and the Novo got pushed to the side. Well, in late August of '01 I made up my mind that this engine was going to get finished so I put it in the middle of the shop! The top of this page has some general info that I wrote in late '99. Farther down is
updated info and a couple pictures of it coming to life again!
1999
This is the engine I know the least about since it is unlike the traditional Hit & Miss engine in style and some facets of it's operation. Some features of this engine
are, by comparison to other engines of the same vintage, very advanced. The Novo features an enclosed crankcase to keep the piston, cylinder, and main throw clean and well lubricated. The fuel system is also more sophisticated for it's time: it
includes a fuel pump and a very carburetor-like mixer. Another feature that I consider quite advanced is the removable valve seats. Inherant in the design of the cylinder/head/water tank is the necessity to be able to get the valves in and out. This
was solved by putting the intake and exhaust valves in a module with the seats that bolts to the overall casting. |
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This is a picture of the engine when I found it. It was in a 50'x60' pole barn completely full of the most amazing collection of 'Old Stuff' you have ever seen!
Engines, generators, bikes, farm equipment, air compressors, lightning rods, you name it. I was too awestruck for the first 1/2 hour to say much of anything. And when I left my shirt was wet from drooling over all the engines packed into this place.
After we left this barn, the man took me to the other two barns just as big and just as packed with stuff!
It took at lease a day or two to recover from this amazing collection. And if you're thinking about asking where this might be, don't even
bother. Think I'm going to give away my source??!! |
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This picture shows the magneto side of the engine. After some research, I found that Novo engines came with either a WICO EK or a Fairbanks Morse rotary magneto.
This engine has neither! Mounted on it is a "George Bosch" rotary magneto. My best guess is that the original F/M mag went bad and they replaced it with this one. It seems in good shape, just needs some cleaning and probably a new condensor as most
old mags do, and a magnet charge. It is loose on the mount and the gears have slipped so I'll have to time it as well. Let's see, was that TDC or a few degrees before...
By the way, that's a yard stick beside the engine to give some perspective
of height. |
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<<< Click here for Novo Page 2 |
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<<< Back to the engines page |
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