The engine on this car was made by the BUDA Motor Company.
Here is a photo of both sides of the 40 hp. Buda engine before I started work on it. This is the way we found it in 2011. I understand that Phillip Dickey, Steve Dickey’s father (prior owners and cousins of my wife, Janet) worked on the car in the 1970’s. Bits of silicone sealant on various parts, and some grey anti-seize lubricant show evidence that MOST of the parts of the engine have been touched at some point. The reddish pink paint that covers everything may be their addition too. I’ll ask Steve when we talk again. (This was a great thought when I wrote this part of the Blog in 2015. Unfortunately, Steve Dickie died in 2017, and took with him information I would love to have now. So, debrief your older family members on topics that interest you – while you still have the chance. Most likely they will enjoy the opportunity to talk with you – and you can pass that history along to another generation.)
Left Side
Bottom, left to right — oil pump, water pump, magneto, oil filler, fly wheel
Top, left to right — radiator, fan, priming cups, magneto coils, acetylene starter pump (with all the little tubes coming out)
Right Side
Bottom, left to right, steering column & steering gear, carburetor and intake pipe
Middle, L to R, exhaust manifold, valve adjustment covers
Top, L to R, magneto coil box, acetylene injector (next to white spark plugs), spark plugs are white
I have attached a PDF of a pamphlet from Buda Motors regarding our “T” engine, below.
And here is a contemporary pamphlet regarding maintenance:
Below, I have a listing of BUDA engine models that the company printed in 1917. It lists many statistics and differences for each model. Perhaps this list may help to sort out which model other owners of BUDA engines may encounter. It is my understanding that the use of the letter “U” following the 2 or 3 letter engine model designation (in the far left column, below) means that the engine model has an ENCLOSED flywheel. Those models without the “U” ending, have OPEN flywheels. Engines earlier than about 1916 or so frequently did NOT have tags or other identifiers to help determine the company of manufacture (Buda), let alone the model number or serial number. That sort of omission makes the task of identifying these earlier engines a bit of a challenge. I note that on our engine, BUDA was stamped into the piston tops and connecting rods. Otherwise, there was NO identification anywhere on (or in) the engine.
BUDA motor types, listed by name and specifications, circa 1917 – click on photo to enlarge
BUDA piston top – click on photo to enlarge.
BUDA connecting rods – click on the photo to enlarge.
The BUDA service manual I used to overhaul the engine is known as Bulletin #422. This was by far the most helpful document. I’ve attached a scan of the 67 page booklet below.
Hi Folks
Fantastic website, the reason I say so is I live in England and have the remains of a model 40 that I am amazing parts and information to get a rebuild under way. Send me an email and I’ll get some images across and you can see my problems. There was a model 40 in Manchester about 3 hours North from Cambridge where I live. When I first bought the pile of parts I went to see this car and was lucky enough to spend a morning lying under the car taking photo’s with a digital camera and trying to gather as much information as possible. I have been in touch with the Antique Car clubs in the States but have found out virtually nothing from them at all. They thought that there were only 5 still around so great to hear there are more survivors than I thought.
Roger