Sterling engine

[martinf]

Hey all,
NOT sterling heat engine, but Sterling GASOLINE engines made in Buffalo, NY USA back in the early 1900's. They were huge, old herky things that ate fuel like it cost nothing.
Well, anyways, I've got one. Big in-line 6 with double Detroit-Zenith carbs and double spark plugs for each cylinder. Weigh's about 2000 lbs and makes 175 hp. Built to put in in-board boats.

Anybody know anything about them?
~martin

[charmc]

Martin,

Some great photos of an 8 cyl Sterling, and a description of the line, taken from some early ad copy, I'd guess. Another forum with some Sterling discussions here:

http://www.oldmarineengine.com/discus/messages/3428/104770.html#POST20633

and here:

http://www.oldmarineengine.com/discus/messages/2/1599.html

[RANCHI OTTO]

Thanks Charlie for the links....;)

[martinf]

Yes, thanks, Charlie.
Mine Sterling is a Petrel model, and it's in near perfect shape as it sat unused pretty much it's whole life. It ran maybe a dozen times since new in 1938 (coupled to a pump for fire protection and there never was a fire!) and when I got it it didn't take much to get her running smooth.
~martin

[marshmat]

Jeez that thing is massive!
On the other hand, such an engine may well run pretty close to forever, if well maintained. I would be quite curious to see how it performs in something like a large, heavy-displacement trawler. Strikes me as a good match for the kind of hull that likes a lot of torque through a big, slow prop.