Littlebit2, 1947 Wisconsin VF4 powering a Lincoln 200 Ampere Special welder, photos

[wrenchguy]

another barn find, Engine dates nov 47 as does the lincoln serial number. i pulled the pan and cleaned 1 1/2" sludge out. no oil filter, cleaned up some wire connections and it started right off. video of it running at bottom.














sludge


video of it running, thanks 4 looking.

My engine & vintage cat videos, thanks 4 looking.
https://www.youtube.com/user/d4mike01/videos

[mla2ofus]

I hope having clean oil isn't too big a shock for the Wisconsin!! From the look of the pan I'll bet an oil change will be needed soon.
Mike

[wrenchguy]

it hasn't run in 25-30 years and just sat in a dirt floor barn. looks the key was left on and the points fried. plus all wiring connections had 2b cleaned up. lots of corrosion.

I hope having clean oil isn't too big a shock for the Wisconsin!! From the look of the pan I'll bet an oil change will be needed soon.
Mike

[crugg65]

Mike, I think you caught the Wisconsin engine/Lincoln welder bug . Yes I would change the oil again soon by the look of that oil pan. Some guys change the oil more frequently when they see sludge build up like yours. Does your machine weld? It sure does sound nice!


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[headframe]

Hello Wrenchguy, we have the same vintage welder. It always worked great, the only issue I had with it was the crank start, I would hold my head over the air cleaner to keep from being hit with the crank when it starts. Ours doesn't have a governor so we just pull the throttle out to second notch and go for it. Have a great day. John

[crugg65]

I guess we know what the " AS " stands for that you(we) questioned in your last thread about your '57 Lincoln DC 250 AS; Ampere Special!.....I can see that in your machines tag photo and the fella named Sparkie said he thought that what " AS " stood for. Case closed!

[wrenchguy]

Mike, I think you caught the Wisconsin engine/Lincoln welder bug . Yes I would change the oil again soon by the look of that oil pan. Some guys change the oil more frequently when they see sludge build up like yours. Does your machine weld? It sure does sound nice!


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With the pan off, I had the machine overhead and the block insides looked new, red gyptol and all. I believe that recent oil changes they put in detergent oil when they were using it. (30 year back) From my experiences seeing block insides using non detergent oil the innards were black. I think this machine without a oil filter using d-oil washed black &everything to the pan. I will sure keep a eye on it. I'm using non-d-oil in it. Gonna heat shrink tubing some frayed w-generator wiring b4 i try weld test.

[wrenchguy]

Hello Wrenchguy, we have the same vintage welder. It always worked great, the only issue I had with it was the crank start, I would hold my head over the air cleaner to keep from being hit with the crank when it starts. Ours doesn't have a governor so we just pull the throttle out to second notch and go for it. Have a great day. John

my 57 from a few weeks back is a handle start only model. I wish this 47 was more primitive without the extras, i'm keeping this 1 because its oilder. the 57 being handle start i think is neater, but gonna let it go down the road.

[wrenchguy]

Yes "Ampere Special" is the model, but has to mean something to make the decision on the settings and lugs ur bolt to. I don't understand the rpm A B C settings mean. There are no notches on the throttle rod/handle to indicate a rpm setting. No tach. Need specific operators manual. Thanks. This 1 will look good refurbed /customized in the back of a restored back in the day shop truck.

[Pipeliner]

Sounds pretty good.

[wrenchguy]

welding today video. not sure what settings were…. to hot though. thanks 4 looking, headless wrench guy.

[crugg65]

I mentioned to you before I have a project DC-180-AS and my TF Wisconsin has a locking throttle lever with a metal tag that has the A-B-C settings to adjust engine speed with the rod type/diameter. Your "ampere special" might not have that tag anymore; couldn't tell by photos. Also you must know the three negative lugs are setup with lower current is top lug; a higher current for middle and highest for bottom lug. Try switching to middle lug and try again with that stainless rod; I agree it was a little too hot. Then engine speed it is your current adjustment; like a rheostat on other welding rigs. Also I got a little chuckle when the spent rod landed on the small ax on your bench....it started to smoke and now the ax got it's own "battle scars" !

[wrenchguy]

theres no a,b,c, tag near the throttle tee handle. its kinda veriner locking style, i think its original. i don't understand exactly what the tag would do? does it provide measurement numbers that the handle be pulled from the dash panel? thanks 4 ur interest. mike

I mentioned to you before I have a project DC-180-AS and my TF Wisconsin has a locking throttle lever with a metal tag that has the A-B-C settings to adjust engine speed with the rod type/diameter. Your "ampere special" might not have that tag anymore; couldn't tell by photos. Also you must know the three negative lugs are setup with lower current is top lug; a higher current for middle and highest for bottom lug. Try switching to middle lug and try again with that stainless rod; I agree it was a little too hot. Then engine speed it is your current adjustment; like a rheostat on other welding rigs. Also I got a little chuckle when the spent rod landed on the small ax on your bench....it started to smoke and now the ax got it's own "battle scars" !

[crugg65]

Good morning Mike, are there any notches on throttle shaft? That would be your ABC settings. If not then you would adjust engine speed for current intensity.


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[wrenchguy]

Good morning Mike, are there any notches on throttle shaft? That would be your ABC settings. If not then you would adjust engine speed for current intensity.


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no, i looked all over the handle shaft looking for markings of any kind. probably not original to machine. thanks.

[wrenchguy]

it be easy enough to set rpm with tach and mark the shaft if i knew what the numbers were for a, b, c. i kinda like this throttle rod w/handle because of the ease of locking it at any setting. maybe time to call bob.

[Insaneride]

The throttle position rpm a,b,c controls voltage. Nice save wrenchguy.

You could put a volt meter on it to see if its got any weld output.

[crugg65]

Mike some old info I found for you


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[Lark]

I have a Lincoln 200 Special serial number A193065 that has been in my family for 72 years. I am restoring it. It was painted orange originally. Can you tell me where to look for the original paint code so I can get the color correct?
Gary

[Lark]

I am restoring a Lincoln 200 Special serial number A193065 with the Wisconsin VF4 engine. It has been in my family for 72 years. It appears that it was painted orange originally and I am trying to locate paint codes for it so I can get the paint right. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Lark

[Son of a Welder!]

I picked up a crusty machine last week that had been painted blue but it was orange underneath. All orange when I got to the protected side of the gas tank. I think it is a 1954 model. I am also interested in that colour shade for a restore if I can make the engine run.

[whtbaron]

The odds of finding a 40's/50's fleet color code that can still be mixed in modern paints is slim to none. The old lead based enamels and nitrocellulose lacquers that they mixed are obsolete. I don't think you guys would be far wrong if you just pulled an Allis Chalmers orange machinery paint enamel off the shelf at a farm dealership (Case IH should be able to order it in)...

[Lark]

I picked up a crusty machine last week that had been painted blue but it was orange underneath. All orange when I got to the protected side of the gas tank. I think it is a 1954 model. I am also interested in that colour shade for a restore if I can make the engine run.

Thank you for the reply. I got some Allis Chalmers Orange paint and painted a piece of metal and held it against the back of the fuel tank which had not been in the sun and it matched very very well. So I just pushed on! LOL

I have a 1949 Allis Chalmers Model G so I got enough paint to do both. This old welder still fires up on half a pull.

Thanks Again

[Lark]

[rhunt]

Really nice!! Bob