Motore Torino DNF 30 - Diatto A Clement

[billmine]

Hi during a recent Voluntary Assignment in PNG I was given the above engine - it is a single cylinder engine with a bulbous outer casing. I have researched this engine extensively using other Forums Worldwide plus the Auto Museum in Turin Italy, without any success. Diatto and A Clement were racing car manufacturers and were amalgamated for the period of 1905 and 1909. The drive must only be from the flywheel as the other end has only, magneto and primer etc. The starting section extends out from flywheel.

This engine gives the appearance of being a stationary engine as I can see no other use for such an engine.The carbe does not appear to be original as it appears to be a amal carbe or something similar - the water cooling must be of the thermo type or circulated by a pump.

The engine was shipped from Port Moresby to Townsville - I did drive to Townsville to pick it up but after 3 weeks it still was in container - I will now have to wait, before doing another 1300klms each way trip to pick it up and then get better photos and hopefully more information, if any is stamped on it.

[rustyengines]

What an interesting engine, what would it drive? And drive from where? Mag one end the other end you crank from, if that is original, you normally don’t drive of the flywheel and anyhow no room under the flywheel for a belt 
So is there a pulley missing between the flywheel and the end support?
Ian

[billmine]

What an interesting engine, what would it drive? And drive from where? Mag one end the other end you crank from, if that is original, you normally don’t drive of the flywheel and anyhow no room under the flywheel for a belt 
So is there a pulley missing between the flywheel and the end support?
Ian

Thank you - yes it is a very interesting engine - when i was offered it, the first word I said was WOW (I even said you can also say it backwards) and then YES - I am waiting anxiously to do another trip north to pick it up - I could get it back by transport but feel it best I do it myself. Maybe there is something else up there as I am again going on another Voluntary Assignment within weeks

[rustyengines]

Hi Billmine
I'm in Townsville I can baby sit it for you
What type of Voluntary Assignment are you doing?
I have done Voluntary work for CVA in NQ and found a number of bits and pieces
Ian

[billmine]

Hi Ian I do believe that I know you and have corresponded with you about registration of my Southern Cross Farm Pumper - I live in Pomona.
Thanks for offer but it is being safely stored with Curtain Bros who actually brought it back from PNG for me.
The Voluntary Work I did was with a 1957 built two masted schooner, this schooner originally carried explosives from Sydney to Hobart under sail. It is now owned by a Co-op of 9000 National PNG rubber growers and carries raw rubber from the Fly River and lake Murray back to Kiunga for processing.
I myself lived in Kiunga whilst Technical Manager for P&O PNG, after being at sea for 29 years.

[wally]

Just my humble opinion Bill but reckon it has a marine look about it, starting off the output shaft could a red herring (local minor mod ) was not ungommon to start engines of this appearance with a belt on the flywheel, the cooling system is very much marine.

Regards Wally.

[billmine]

Thanks, Wally - i took looked at the possibility of it being marine (I myself was at sea for 29 years) and without having anything positive I ruled that out  - the main reason being that for it to drive, the engine had to be horizontal to allow the the flywheel (if that is the drive) to be in a position to drive - yes it certainly is water cooled. It could not be in the longitudinal position.

For it to be horizontal, the width of the boat would have to be quite wide.

The engine itself is a mystery - even the Museum in Italy can not supply answers but are interested if I ever find out - why was it in PNG and what was it used for? info@diatto

Maybe after I pick it up there could be further evidence that I can find -like HP etc - the photos that I have are the ones I took in PNG.

[billmine]

Thanks, Wally - i took looked at the possibility of it being marine (I myself was at sea for 29 years) and without having anything positive I ruled that out  - the main reason being that for it to drive, the engine had to be horizontal to allow the the flywheel (if that is the drive) to be in a position to drive - yes it certainly is water cooled. It could not be in the longitudinal position.

For it to be horizontal, the width of the boat would have to be quite wide.

The engine itself is a mystery - even the Museum in Italy can not supply answers but are interested if I ever find out - why was it in PNG and what was it used for? info@diatto

Maybe after I pick it up there could be further evidence that I can find -like HP etc - the photos that I have are the ones I took in PNG.

I meant to finish info@diatto.com could also not supply information.

[tractorfan]

I think it would be a stationary engine, there wouldn't be any point in having a base to it otherwise, plus I would have thought there would be at least a water pump if it was. It maybe missing a pulley between the flywheel and the outrigger, similar to the engine below;

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97811&d=1294953013

Nice engine, I'm envious, and you're lucky to still have the original carby.

[billmine]

Thank you - I must learn how to delete a photo on display so that I can fully show the end that has the mage etc.

I am waiting for the day that I do pick it up so that I can fully check it out more thoroughly

Bill

[cobbadog]

Really looking forward to the outcome to this one. Love the engine no matter what it turns out to be. My first thoughts was marine and with that air bleeder on top next to the spark plug to me anyway looks a marine style one.

[billmine]

Many thanks for the comment - all understand why I firstly said WOW and then Yes -I should pick it up within the next few months and I too am looking forward to it to get better photos and hopefully more info if it is there somewhere

[rustyengines]

with that air bleeder on top next to the spark plug
Hi John
            That ‘air bleeder’ is actually a priming cap, you fill full of petrol open the valve let in the petrol close the valve and the engine is now primed ready to start this a feature on a number of older engines there was even a spark plug made with a priming cap as part of the plug
Ian

[billmine]

Thanks Ian - I too was not aware of that - I thought it was a air bleeder for the water cooling

[rustyengines]

Priming cap spark plug
Ian