Rootes 6.5 hp engine

[pir8ped]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum - I hope I am posting this in the right place.

I have just been given a Rootes 6.5 hp engine. I can't find much info about them on the net. It turns over OK, and seems in reasonable condition. Does anyone know anything about these engines, or know where I can find some info ( I have googled of course, but haven't turned up much.

Thanks,

John

 

[Chrusty1]

Can't help much I'm afraid, but my curiosity has been tweaked......could it be one of those early portable fire pump engines?

 

[pir8ped]

Sorry - I should have mentioned that it is an outboard!

 

[Chrusty1]

Really??........Hmmmmm, that would be a rare beasty I think? I can't recall ever seeing one. Could you post a pic?

I just found this, there seeems to be a connection with British Anzani / Perkins, etc??

http://www.britishanzani.co.uk/HISTORY4.htm

 

[pir8ped]

I can take a pic no problem, but I have looked around here, and don't see instructions for including a pic in a post. Do I have to put the image on some server and provide a link, or can I upload the image to the forum?

 

[Chrusty1]

Yes put your pic onto photobucket or something, then link it on here

 

[tillergirl]

According to the 1960 Motor Boat and Yachting Manual, the only 6.5hp British outboard was the Coventry Victor SS8, four stroke engine: 340cc, weight 115 lbs, shaft length 22.25 inches with three and six inche lengthening sections for £133 10s

Did Rootes-Lister take over Coventry Victor, I wonder?

 

[Chrusty1]

Don't know?? Maybe somebody will join the thread with some answers?

 

[pir8ped]

I hope this works:

 

[burgundyben]

Try the mobo cvhat forum, you need the attention of a user by the name of 'Byron', he'll know.

 

[Chrusty1]

Well it look like an "interesting" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif What are you intending to do with it? By the way, reducing your photo sizes will help with displaying them on here.

 

[tillergirl]

It could be this?

 

[Chrusty1]

That's why I posted the Anzani link........I think it may be one of those designs that went the rounds?

 

[pir8ped]

I figured I'd just use it to go fishing. But at some point it'll need some work doing on it, and I was just wondering whether it'll be one of those things that you spend more time working on than using.

Sorry about the photo sizes

 

[pir8ped]

That does look like the same design - you can see the knobs on the front for adjusting the fuel mix - one for slow speed, and one for fast!

Thanks for digging this up. Did you scan the page? Which book is this?

John

 

[Latestarter1]

Lateboater, the name gives you the clue.

The Rootes outboards were U.S Oliver designs produced in the U.K by Perkins, Rootes and finally died under British Anzani ownership.

No where near as bad an engine as people claim.

Rootes Group. The Rootes Group did own Tilling Stevens down in Kent which produced the TS3 diesel engine for Commer trucks, which was also part of the Rootes Group.

In order to find additional engine volume Rootes entered into an agreement to allow Lister to marinise the TS3 and market the engine as the Roots Lister TS3.

However I digress, a nice piece of boating memorabilia, all parts common with equivalent Perkins and Anzani motors. Also Oliver if you can source them.

 

[pir8ped]

Great - thanks a lot!

John

 

[ValleyForge]

Ah memories of dad going a bit red in the face trying to start the Perkins badged equivalent in the early 60's.
Not noted easiest of starters in their day.....

Nice find though, undoubtably quite a rarity.

 

[tillergirl]

Image scanned from 'Motor Boat Engines (Diesel. Petrol.Vaporizing Oil) by Alan C. Wilson, Odhams, 1962. Bet he never thought he'd be on the Tinternet!

According to the Motor Boat and yachting Manual, 1960, Perkins were selling then for the exorbitant price of £82 and a half, two 6hp engines, the PJ/MS and the PJ/ML. the difference being the shaft length being 21 3/4 in the MS and 26 3/4 inches in the ML. the difference cost an extra £3! There is the same image of the 6hp and one of the 16HP and 35 HP showing a family design with your control knobs. At that time British Anzani were offering a 2.5, 3, 5, 10, 15 (x 2), 18, 20 and 30HP range plus two competitive engines!

There's some lovely old names also in this era - the Viking made by the Southend Engineering Company (who happened to make TG Engine Seacock), the Seachief by Elk Marine in Whitstable, the See Bee (a 0.75hp engine for £24) from Leicester, the Puffin from Leicester, the Peter Pan from Cambridge, the Medina from Cornwall, the KS from Lincoln, the Harbourmaster from Harlow!, the Ferrier from Whistable etc. I knew it was worth keeping these books from 47 years ago!

 

[pir8ped]

Thanks for making the effort to scan that in.

Yes, they are great names - I guess I am just old enough to appreciate them!

On the engine itself, I like all those knobs! What do I do - whizz along at top speed, adjusting the mixture as we go?

Looking forward to getting it running.

/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif