New steam car owner seeking advice

I have just inherited a steam car and some parts and I'm wondering if you could help me know where to start. It is a Stanely engine, axle, and boiler and is mounted on an unknown type of chassis. I have also noticed that there is a piston valve block and parts for another engine. What I'd like to know is what I need to know before steaming up the car and if I start working on the car, what should I do to it to ensure that my labor is not wasted on something that is not worth anything when I'm finished. I'd appreciate any input you have to offer.

Can you provide as much information as possible to assist identification of all the hardware? If any of the previous owners are identified, various registers might give the vehicle history. What is the size of the engines and boiler and are there any serial numbers showing. Can you post photographs.

Any steam car hardware is worth something but extensive restoration can be more a labor of love than a paying proposition.
Original equipment has more value to collectors than modified parts. Prices obtained for original parts at the recent Stanley Museum auction this month will give some indication of typical values. Collectors or restorers of similar equipment view this site and should be able to give more detailed assessments from further information given. At present we have little idea of what you have or its potential.

Graeme

Welcome,

A few pictures would be helpful. Uploads here are limited to about 640k each.

Scott

I will post pictures as soon as I can. Here's what I've found out so far. I know that the boiler is a newer reproduction of a Stanley style boiler, and the engine that is currently in the car is from the mid 1920's. It was last fired two years ago before being prepared for storage. The rest of the car is heavily modified consisting of an Auburn chassis and a crudely hand made body. A lot of the components, pumps, burner controls, water tank, gauges, and condenser are all mis matched parts that were made in the 1990's.

I'll also give you a bit of back ground on myself. I grew up working next to my grandfather who had a wonderful appreciation for steam-powered equipment. I had the privilege of learning how to operate boilers and engines at a young age and have a concrete understanding of the mechanical characteristic and operation of both. I also have a degree in automotive restoration technologies from McPherson College in Kansas. I'm currently an owner in a welding repair and manufacturing business and I'm proficient in welding and machining.

Here's what my initial thoughts were for the car and parts that I have. I wanted to start by steaming up the car so that I can get an idea of the condition of the components. After determining their condition I'd like to convert the current engine to the piston valve block and components. Then I've had thoughts of building a replica chassis for the engine and boiler. The chassis and body portions of the vehicle are what I'm not sure what to do with. I can build the chassis, but replicating a body is another story. I have the knowledge and equipment to do it but I don't have one to copy. I was thinking of maybe building a speedster body for it.

Any thoughts?

If its all together,,,,,get it running in that form,,,then build plans around a working car,,,,its likely a 735,,,or,,740,,,is the boiler wire wound ,,is the wire in good shape,,,,who made the automatics,,,,what is the water guage,,check the pressure the safety lifts at,,,reallly,,do it,,,Be sure to hydro the boiler,,Get it running first,,,Cheers,,Ben

Hydro the boiler before you do any firing up. You should also hydro the steam automatic to see what its set for and pressurize the fuel valve on it to see that it seats. Remove the boiler safety and hydro it to see what its relief pressure is. While the burner is down check the plate for any cracks. I also would hydro the fuel accumulator air /fuel tank for at least 200 PSI.
Rolly

You will need to check all components separately and circuits for condition and functioning before any running. Did the vehicle have any operational time with the current items?

If it is not a standard Stanley system I would try running it as a test vehicle "as -is" and fit a better custom body if it ran well enough for road use. A speedster or roadster body would not be too difficult to make from scratch or from guards and panels from wrecking yards or replica parts suppliers. The road performance could be disappointing tho an influence future directions for the project. Some of us have thought about building similar projects but declined to go ahead using a power plant that could not match the sustained road speed and range of the original donor classic vehicle. As a modified system you have the freedom to use it as you like so can make any changes needed to achieve desired performance.

The alternate direction is to build a replica steam plant and chassis to the original factory specifications. You could make a custom body for it or search for a spare or replica Stanley body. I think you will find steam car followers will have hard line views for either authentic design parts only or support modified parts for lower budget fun projects, but not a mixed bag. To make things more difficult, some regional vintage and veteran car clubs have different rules for acceptable historical vehicle restorations. You would need to seek further advice on any differences in local, national and international classification rules for a particular make and model.

Graeme

All the above is good advice - you might also want to contact Jeff Theobald from the Steam Car Club of Great Britain - there are few more knowledgeable about these cars. [www.steamcar.net]

Cheers
Jerry