ID Engine

[J Q]

HI All
I aquired a Douglas Engine, photo attached which I am trying to identify. The engine number is unreadable as someone has being using a lever of some type on the area where the number is and despite an hour in all kind of light I cannot decipher it. It came with a gearbox which carries the number 7835. it also came with an EIC mag and an Amac carb. If further descriptive info is required just ask me.
Yours on a Douglas
 John

[Doug]

John,

It is from the 4hp model series (1914-23). Production of this one between 1916 to 1921, as it would have had the vane type oil pump, but does not have the detachable cylinder heads. But I do not know them well enough to narrow the date further. If it was mated to the transmission that you have, it would place it in 1919. But the long filler neck for the oil sump suggests it served one of the stationary engine roles. I am not sure if they used that on the bikes.

-Doug

[graeme]

I wonder if this engine has been use as a compressor? The tube leading from the inlet manifold where the carburettor should be suggests it wasn't run as an engine.

[J Q]

HI All
Here is a second photo from the top. I would rule out the compressor as the pipe for the hot air is just laid in place and as I said the carb came with it. I notice 2 petcocks on the cylinder walls does that narrow the date.
Yours on a douglas
John

[J Q]

I Think I found it.
Searching through Yesterdays site I came across a 4HP 1920 bike that has an engine just like mine and the gearbox looks the same also.
http://www.yesterdays.nl/douglas-m-17.html
Yours on a Douglas
John

[Dirt Track]

G'day John and all
The extension to the oil filler was an after thought....available through companies like James Grose as an accessory.
Could be a long shot to try and obtain the rest....although a complete rolling frame could drop into your lap tomorrow. Best of luck with it.
Howard.