I'm new to this.  Is the Maytag engine a "hit and miss" engine?  I believe it's a 2 stroke . . . is it?  Most of the antique "hit and miss" engines I've looked at before are a whole lot bigger than the Maytag engines and they are typically 4 strokes.

The way I've always understood the typical "hit and miss" engine to work is that the intake valve is a spring loaded check valve . . . the only time it can open is when the piston is on the downstroke and the exhaust valve is closed.  The engine is governed by some type centrifical device.  That device will keep the exhaust valve open until the engine slows to specified RPM, then it will alow it to work off of a cam just like a regular 4 stroke engine.  If the exhaust valve is open, it doesn't create a vacuum on the downstroke, so the intake valve doesn't open, therefore no fuel goes into the cylinder . . . it just spins from the stored energy in the flywheel . . . once it slows to that minimum RPM, the exhaust valve closes on the downstroke, air/fuel is pulled in, then on the upstroke it is compressed, around TDC it is ignited by a spark plug and the power stroke speeds the engine back up.  The higher the load, the more combustion cycles you have.  The lighter the load, the less combustion cycles you have.

So, how close is what I think happens to what really happens?   And if a Maytag really is a 2 stroke, is it a hit and miss, or does it fire every revolution?

I'm new to this.  Is the Maytag engine a "hit and miss" engine?  I believe it's a 2 stroke . . . is it?  Most of the antique "hit and miss" engines I've looked at before are a whole lot bigger than the Maytag engines and they are typically 4 strokes.

The way I've always understood the typical "hit and miss" engine to work is that the intake valve is a spring loaded check valve . . . the only time it can open is when the piston is on the downstroke and the exhaust valve is closed.  The engine is governed by some type centrifical device.  That device will keep the exhaust valve open until the engine slows to specified RPM, then it will alow it to work off of a cam just like a regular 4 stroke engine.  If the exhaust valve is open, it doesn't create a vacuum on the downstroke, so the intake valve doesn't open, therefore no fuel goes into the cylinder . . . it just spins from the stored energy in the flywheel . . . once it slows to that minimum RPM, the exhaust valve closes on the downstroke, air/fuel is pulled in, then on the upstroke it is compressed, around TDC it is ignited by a spark plug and the power stroke speeds the engine back up.  The higher the load, the more combustion cycles you have.  The lighter the load, the less combustion cycles you have.

So, how close is what I think happens to what really happens?   And if a Maytag really is a 2 stroke, is it a hit and miss, or does it fire every revolution?

You pretty well nailed it. Yes the Maytag is a 2 stroke. Under a load they fire every revolution. Remember how the single cyl. 2 stroke motorcycles seem to skip a lick or two when idling and then fired every time when you took off. There is no governor on the 2 strokes like on 4 stroke "hit or miss" engine.

David, From what I've gathered in my short time of searching for a Maytag engine, the earliest engines were upright (cyliinder stood upright).  For the last two years of the uprights (around 1920,21) the upright engines used a quart mason jar for a gas tank.  The "Fruit Jar" engines are the rarest and most collectable of the Maytags because very few of them were built.  The fruit jar engines were replaced by a single cylinder that layed down.  Then they went to the opposed twin cylinder.

This one on Atlant's craigslist belonged to a "friend who passed away."  The seller doesn't seem to know too much about it.  Do you think this an early upright engine, or one that has been modified to look like one?  I've emailed for more pictures but haven't heard anything back yet.

 http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/atq/3166712189.html

I think this is an original vertical. Its not a fruit jar . The crankcase is sitting on the fuel tank. OK now a little history.  first washer 1909, first washer/ gas engine (vertical) 1911-1923 ,
Fruit Jar engine 1918-1919, First model 82 horiz single cly engine 1923-1927,  Model 92 horiz.single cly. 1927-1941,  Model 72 Style D- 2 cly 1937-1942,  Model 72-Style DA 2 cly 1942-1952.  NOW here is something to think about  .  About 1917 a fellow named H.L. Thompson( a friend of Fred Maytag) started to build his own version of the Maytag engine called Elgin RED-E-MOTOR. A "knock off of the Magtag vertical. Not a lot of history on this one, but I have seen one.
   The engine on craigslist looks very close to being a very early engine.  But it could be a RED-E-Motor. Lucky you if it is.

All this info came from my copy of C.H. Wendel " American Gasoline Engines since 1872"   Priceless now.

Where was it and how much? Did you get the seller's contact info?   


Did you buy it?   

I hit the sales on Signal Mt. yesterday.  Didn't see any antique waher related stuff except for a twin wash tub set-up.  The tubs were in decent shape but the stand had a lot of surface rust and one leg had been bent up and straighened out at some time in the past.  It had a price tag on it for $95.  A lady offered $85 and he took it just as I was walking up.  When I bought this washer at the auction, there was a twin wash tub set up that went for about that . . . I think it actually brought $95.

I still can't get a response from the guy in Atlanta with the upright Maytag.  Somewhere out there is one of these engines with my name on it . . . maybe someday I'll find it.

Same seller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Iron-Horse-by-Johnson-Motor-Co-gas-engine-LOOK-Runs-like-a-top-Maytag-/170890590323?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c9df7873

That maytag is not complete...
KC

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bar/3186266374.html

This guy wants to trade a scooter for his hit and miss