HIT & MISS ENGINE TUTORIAL

[@joesphx19]

My uncle had a farm in upper NY. When I was a youngster I spent the most memorable summer there in the early 60s. I'll never forget he had an original hit and miss engine that was first bought and used on the farm back in the teens. It still worked! While he kept that one engine going his life's hobby was restoring Ford Model Ts and As. Thanks to all of you guys that keep these mechanical devices running, you are heroes in my book for helping us remember America the way it was.

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks alot Bud!! I appreciate you checking it out!! They do have carbs or mixers, most of them are mounted to the bottom of the head!! On the green engine it is mounted to the side of the head, you can see it starting at 0:32 there is a big thumbscrew right next to the pushrod spring for adjusting mixture, the choke and intake is on the bottom of it and the gas line is hooked up to the little soda bottle!!☺

[@robertoswalt319]

Thanks for the demo and explanation. I had heard how they worked but nothing beats a live demonstration.

[@805ROADKING]

@larrythelookout Thanks Mate!! Mike's a great guy to go to the shows with, He's more knowledgeable about the old engines than anyone I've ever met!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks Bud!! It's Guys like your Uncle that are the real heroes, they're the ones that built this Country!! We just try to keep their memories alive!!☺

[@CraigArndt]

I'm glad you did this thorough explanation, these motors are really cool.

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks Beetle!! I'm glad it helped you out!! I run all my engines on buzz coils. Mags are a pain it the ass, I have 2 EK's sitting on the shelf!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks alot Bud!! I appreciate you checkin' it out!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks for checkin' it out Charlie!!☺

[@mikeadrover5173]

Just went to my first steam engine fair; and discovered hit & miss engines. “As always, thanks’ for taking the time to make this video!” ~M~

[@howaboutdis500]

hey man thanks for this video. I've been a four wheeler mechanic all my life and turning wrenches with my dad since I was old enough to pick one up and always wondered how those hit n miss engines worked. always so cool to hear em run. I'm in West Virginia and would love to find an antique motor show and see em in person.

[@WillsGarage91]

Great job Roadking and Mike! There were plenty of hit and miss engines at the Swamp Yankee Days festival in Ashaway RI this past weekend!

[@DeltonAdamsLEGO]

My grandfather built a hit and miss engine out of a briggs and stratton lamnmower engine. I've always been fascinated by the way it works.

[@Smokercraft427]

Nice video, I felt like a hit and miss motor is just one of many pieces of history that as a "younger" guy I should learn about and understand how they work. They're a cool part of our history. Really it's where it all started. Without them I wonder how long it would have taken for the internal combustion engine to come along? Can't imagine how much of a back saver these had to be to those lucky enough to be able to afford one.

[@NOMADdaf]

These are internal combustion engines.

[@januaryman169]

Thanks for explaining how these work. I love listening to these engines.

[@805ROADKING]

Yeah you could hook them up to just about anything!! Thanks for checkin' it out Fred!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks Buddy!! We did!! Hope You and your Family have a great New Year!!☺

[@RamblinAround]

Great vid...very interesting! This one went straight to my favorites.

[@redneckbryon]

Very interesting how they work, I think it is amazing they new back in the day how to get them to work! So many moving parts!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

That's a good explanation of how the Hit and Miss governor system works. I like how you showed several types of engines. Question: What about overspeed protection? I come from the world of modern industrial engines. We have to be concerned about the engine running too fast if the primary control mechanism breaks. What is the limitation on the Hit and Miss engines, if you lost the function of the latch so that it would fire on every cycle? I assume there is a safety mechanism because I have never heard of one of these overspeeding to destruction. Thanks for the info!

[@805ROADKING]

They can run away!! the latch out is the only fail safe!! If that fails you're SOL!!☺

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

805ROADKING Aye Caramba! Don't want to have any rare vintage iron damaged by runaway overspeeding! Some day I want to restore a very old vintage engine, but not sure if I would look for a spark ignited or a simidiesel.

[@rkshireygames]

Some of the larger ones have a pin in the governor that flies out when it over speeds. When it goes out the governor drops and it shuts down.

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks for checkin' it out Bud!!☺

[@kookiemoose]

I cant tell you how much I just learned by watching this tut. Thanks guys

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks Buck!! I agree, it's interesting to see what different companies do to accomplish the same goal!!☺

[@coniow]

I remember seeing an old farm Hit and Miss diesel engine with a whacking great fly wheel. One massive combustion stroke was enough to power about 6 revolutions on the wheel, before another power stroke was needed! If I remember correctly it was at the Kew Pumping Museum in London (England, UK), but this was about 40 years ago, so I might be mistaken. Thank you for posting!

[@chipwright6193]

Nice Hit & Miss explanation. I've got an old 1.5 HP Hercules that was given to me that I hope to restore some day. I'm still gathering parts. Those old engines are fun to play around with.

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks for checkin' it out!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

That's cool !! Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it!!☺

[@kazuza9]

thanks for the video, now I understand how this engine works, this is an amazing simple machine, I wish someone with start building hit and miss engines. it seems like they don t exist anymore.

[@akuyume7]

Thanks for sharing this informative video; old machines like these fascinate me!

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks for checkin it out!!☺

[@johndoyle4723]

Excellent, many thanks, I love these hit and miss engines, the sound always reminds me of the steam shows. Good luck.

[@adamasz54]

Thanks a lot - being a mech.eng. I had a slight idea on those primary engines with only one valve controlled by cam+pushrod with a centrifugal regulator. But they were the parents of OHV with both valves pushrod controlled, and modern OHC as known today. Quite a nice lesson from young connaisseurs of int.combustion engines.

[@hardcore4ever88]

very good tuturial! I've never Seen it before. I've read it in an oldtimer magazine. now I know how it works

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks for checking it out Bud!! Nice "M" ya got there!!☺

[@edzgarage]

Nice explanation Buddy! I actually thought I knew how these worked, but I was wrong.

[@ZippoVarga]

Heya there my Friend! Awesome explanation! I recently picked up a Coffin Top Stover 1.5hp that will be a winter project here on the farm. Picked it up for chump change along with a dozen Maytag Engines and parts. I hope all is well with you Buddy!!

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks for checkin' it out Whack!!☺

[@jondoe6618]

I love these old engines.My dad has one he gave me that i want to restore.It is about the same size as that last one that was running.It hasn't ran in probably 40+ years.

[@805ROADKING]

That's cool!! good luck with it!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

@hoooooops Thank you Hoooooops!! Thanks for checkin' it out!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

@Serostern Thanks for checkin' it out Bud!!☺

[@JSchrumm]

Thankyou Roadking, Crystal clear now. Had no idea vacuum opened the intake valve. I always over think stuff and this seems pretty simple.

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks for watching Bud!!☺

[@JSchrumm]

Still Jim, Bud is my uncle.

[@12799MaDeuce]

Great vid, took me a second to "wrap my head around it" but makes a lot more sense now. Gonna have to get me one someday!

[@beetlesuzuki72]

Great video roadking i just bought an old fuller johnson 1 1/2 hp engine and its missing the ek mag i didnt have 300 bucks for a replacement and wanted to use an old ford buzz coil but couldnt figure how to rig up a timer switch. after seeing how you did yours ill have her running in no time.Great video thanks for posting.

[@Steviegtr52]

Very interesting. Especially the governor. I am at present making a small version using scrap from the bin. Part 1 just published last night. The 1st part you show , the Fuller green one. I have not seen a governer like that version before. Maybe that is how i will make one. I think better than the outer flywheel version.

[@805ROADKING]

@nx2overide That's a good question Buddy!! I've seen many of them hooked up for generators! Basically the pulley on the side of the flywheel can be hooked up to just about anything with a large leather belt like a water pump, air compressor, cement mixer, corn shucker, grain maker, cream seperator, rock crusher, sawmill, log splitter. I have a few videos of them running things!!☺

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Great explanation. You started the whole tutorial at just the right components, the pushed and valves, which made the rest of it fall right into place very clearly. I am amazed that I've never seen one of these engines before. I guess people got rid of them or stashed them away somewhere. I wonder how well a smallish one would work running a generator for home use when power goes out. Also wonder how these engines compare with standard modern 4 strokes of about the same overall torque/HP when it comes to fuel efficiency?

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks Bud!! They work great for generators, many of them were built just for that. They are very fuel efficient. The main difference is the size, a 4 HP hit and miss weighs about 800 lbs and a modern 4 HP weighs about 30 lbs!!☺

[@guygaric940]

+805ROADKING nah, a modern 4 horse Briggs weighs about 15-25 pounds, since a lot of it is made of aluminum and (gulp) plastic. That's one thing I like about hear hit n misses, mostly iron :)

[@805ROADKING]

@ShawnCFarm Yeah they're pretty cool little machines, alotta fun to play with!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

@chilly988 There is a cam with a lobe on it very similar to a regular engine that runs off the crank that pushes it out!! Good question Bud!!☺

[@daddytech]

yeah the reason i asked about it is that the thing sounded like it was cycling through about 6 or8 rotations before the spark and ignition happened. that's why i asked if it was more like a perpetual motion thing because of the centrifigul weight of the wheels on it or something like that. i understand it a little better now about what makes them function. thanks

[@chilly988]

Great explanation, but i have one question. What initially pushes the push rod out so that the latch finger can hold it? Thanks.

[@ShawnCFarm]

Nice and simple, I like it, and to think this was made almost 100 years ago. It seems like a big jump from what they had before. 5/5

[@805ROADKING]

Quite a long time!! We run them at 3 day shows on about a half gallon a day!!☺

[@edwardgarrett172]

Would love to see exactly how you have the timing wire connected when using a spark plug. I have a 3 hp fuller and Johnson I am starting to try get going. A close up picture of the hook up would be appreciated.

[@krazy45cat]

Great Video , I 've never seen on in person . Need to look for a show in my area .

[@805ROADKING]

@wolfsheadoil Thanks for checkin' it out Buddy!! every time I mess with them I learn something else!!☺

[@howabouthetruth2157]

VERY cool. I know some folks are still using these, but I wonder if certain models can be used today in an economical way.

[@willemkruit5675]

Now that's what I call a tutorial! Thanks!!

[@d.cypher2920]

Nice, i was looking for a video explaining what precisely, these engines were desiged for.

[@805ROADKING]

That's cool!! Yeah alotta people don't know what they are, if ya didn't grow up on a farm or your not over 50 years old chances are the only place you'll ever see one is at a show!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

They are all good but if you stick with the most common ones they are a little cheaper and easier to get parts if you need them!! Stover, Hercules and Fuller & Johnson are some good ones!!☺

[@not2fast4u2c]

what is the big box opening on top of the engines for water cool??

[@creamofcardstv]

Clever stuff! It's amazing how they work

[@805ROADKING]

@daddytech Thanks for asking Buddy!! It made great video subject!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

@AngryFlagman That's a good idea, it would have to be an old lady trike! they weigh about 300 lbs. I've seen that garden tractor, pretty cool!!☺

[@Gunny426HemiPlymouth]

Awesome dude... Finally! The mystery is solved! and it IS that simple! Love old technology!

[@805ROADKING]

That's cool!! Sounds like a good score!! I'm putting a Coffin top back together now!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

Thanks, they are alotta fun to play with!!☺

[@38911bytefree]

Better explanation on YT for hit and miss

[@805ROADKING]

thanks Bud!! we'll definitely watch your stuff!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

That box is the cooling hopper, ya fill it with water!! The cylinder is lubed with the brass drip oiler, the rod and crank have grease pots on them!!☺

[@buckbundy8642]

Do you power anything with them or are they just show pieces? I think it would be pretty cool to power a saw in a mill or the like. I bet they’re pretty efficient. Especially with the proper pulley or gear setup.

[@Mopardude]

Good video. You show us all these interesting old engines about time you how they worked! LOL

[@805ROADKING]

@RamblinAround Thanks Buddy!! I'm Honored!!☺

[@ysrman]

Great video! what kind of oil goes in the glass oiler on top of the engine? I acquired a witte 2hp

[@805ROADKING]

straight non-detergent 30W

[@805ROADKING]

Most Hit and Miss are designed to run at a very low RPM usually 200-550 RPM. they cannot be revved, but they do run a little faster under a load!!☺

[@805ROADKING]

@Searsnut11 You're welcome Buddy!! They're more fun to watch when you know what they're all about!!☺

[@eddyg3972]

Great explanation! Thank you!

[@ManosS40]

Nice! Now I understand the term "hit & miss"!!!

[@jimsager821]

Cool, now I know how they work.So it looks like when it gets going the flywheels take over and it only fires once every 3 revs. What kind of fuel,is it like a Wolverine?Nice vid,Thanks

[@jamesmskipper]

I'd be interested in seeing the cam that pushes the push rod. Also, is that box on top of the cylinder a part of the piston oiling system? I've only seen a few of these "in real life" and didn't get a good view of them.

[@805ROADKING]

thanks Mate!! I'm glad ya found it!!☺

[@fredrickvoncold]

Look like they could be used for anything that was belt driven on a farm. Nice to know how they operate, thanks

[@MrDanoconnor]

Excellent Video , Thanks For Posting.

[@yearlong5179]

3:17 is that the gas bottle? the gas cleaner? and how does the fuel go into the cylinder? the intake bauble doesn’t look like it’s connected to anything or is the huge block not actually all cylinder

[@randymarsh5088]

Great video ! Thanks for posting this .

[@805ROADKING]

+Chris Jenkins Thanks Bud!!☺

[@SmallEngineMechanic]

@wolfsheadoil In the video these engine's fuel tanks are in the large base, under the cylinder, flywheels and mechanisms.

[@ihus9950]

Great Video, Thanks love them Hit & Miss 👍

[@azbertx]

Thank you, it was very informative but where the air and fuel mixes? is there a carb somewhere?

[@pimpinpenz]

GREAT VID! Very imformative information! Helped me out too cause i didnt know shit all about these to be honest ive never touched one in my life!

[@toddg2230]

Can you share a pic or some info on your timing system on the push rod .I took a 12 volt coil and made it into a buzz coil and have it hooked up but it is grounded to the engine so now if you turn the engine and it makes it's ground ( yes you guessed it ) then I get the buzz effects.

[@SpenCrowson]

I always wondered. A great explanation, many thanks.

[@dennisjohnson8753]

Thanks - very good explanation

[@805ROADKING]

@mbyr31 Even the best mechanics can't figure it out, but once it's explained they are relatively easy to understand!!☺

[@guygaric940]

Basically what I thought, just wanted to make sure cuz I'm working on this tiny hit and miss you can hold in your hand, wanted to know what I was doing!

[@805ROADKING]

@classicoutboards Thanks Will. I hope ya got us some video!!☺

[@TheRobertralph]

Good video. I was wondering and found this. Thanks.

[@805ROADKING]

@Mopardude You're right Dude!! Long over due!!☺

[@Junkyard-Restorations]

awesome, how much fuel do they use?

[@ddd3240]

Thanks for the video! This explains a lot!

[@RCHobbyReviews]

Hey roadking. I got a john deere 1 1/2 hit and miss and I just ordered parts so Im starting to clean it. Do you know any good ways to clean it. And when I restore it can you sandblast the engine or do you have to do something else. Thanks

[@805ROADKING]

You could sandblast it but that makes a big mess and it's a pain in the ass!! I just clean mine with gasoline and wirewheel everything, then wash it down lacquer thinner before I prime and paint it!!☺

[@RCHobbyReviews]

Ok thanks bud!

[@funguy571]

RCHobbyReviews I also have a 1 1/2 john deere, is in good condition. Has been sitting too long and needs the fuel system cleaned out.

[@RCHobbyReviews]

jim holtse If it needs to be cleaned then I would just get a new one. They aren't that expensive. Heres the site: lightningmagneto.com