So I went everywhere in town in search of a generator today. Everyone was sold out. I just needed something big enough to run 3 freezers and a fridge. I thought back to Rita when things got rough here and remembered that we used an OLD generator that we had gotten from my grandpa when he passed. He was sort of a hoarder of things that “might work one day” or that he planned on fixing. We weren’t really sure it would run back then, but got it going eventually. Called my Dad and asked him where that thing was. He laughed and said, “Good luck with that! It hasn’t run since Rita. Been sitting out in the old round pen in the weather.” I had to go drop off my tractor over there anyway, so I put the forks on the tractor and pulled it from it’s resting place in the ground for the last 15 years. Chunked it on the trailer and headed home. Gas tank was completely rusted. Engine would turn by hand though. Got it home thinking, “Dangit, Jacob. This thing is 50 years old and hasn’t run in 15 years. Don’t make this another project. It’s not worth it.” So, I decided if I couldn’t get it running today, I’d let it go. I know the fuel is going to be it’s own situation. Let’s see if this sucker will fire with a little gas down its throat.....


We’ve got a runner! This alone was pretty incredible. So then I rob a fuel tank off an old riding mower and replaced the completely clogged fuel lines. I was just thinking to myself, “You know you’re going to have to clean this carb. I don’t know why you’re even trying it without cleaning it first. It’s got to be varnished beyond belief.” But, against my own advice, I gave it a go.



This thing is 50 years old! Built like a tank in Dayton, Chicago. 16hp Briggs and Stratton I/C engine with Cast Iron bore. Why did we quit making quality products like this?

Freaking awesome man!

Way to bring em back to life.

Wow.

Just be sure to run it on no ethanol gas with a fuel stabilizer.

I see the spray can of Berryman's. You probably did it but I'd run it awhile on a system cleaner too.
Berrymans or SeaFoam.

I would be a little worried about the windings in the electric generator. 50 year old windings may be brittle.

I’m running a 50/50 gas and sea foam mixture through it for about an hour.

that old thing should put out thousands of volts....