Author Topic: Old Witte Down the road (Read 11976 times)

rbodell · « **on:** January 20, 2008, 03:19:56 PM »

At nights I occasionally hear a low rpm engine running someplace. Yesterday I finally tracked it down to an oil well about ¾ mile away. The part of Texas I am in has mostly gas wells, but this is an old oil well. The machinery is pretty rusty. I couldn't get close enough to see what engine is on it for sure, but with a pair of binoculars, it looks like a Witte. Man that thing sounds nice. I wanted a Witte to begin with until I found out how much a new one was. My property cost less LOL.

rcavictim · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2008, 06:02:10 PM »

`Tracked down an oil well 3/4 mile away?` Bob, I`ve never seen you get out of that chair even to go to the bathroom!

I still lust for a real McCoy slow stationary diesel for power co-generation and a Witte would be a class act for sure but these engines don`t seem to have made it out my way. I guess I`m living beyond Witte`s end.

Doug · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2008, 06:51:34 PM »

Rob:

Look around Petrolia.
Where there's oil there areoil field engines.

That other Doug who used to post here told me they sell some Arrow engines here in Ontario.

rbodell · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2008, 11:54:17 PM »

Quote from: rcavictim on January 20, 2008, 06:02:10 PM

`Tracked down an oil well 3/4 mile away?` Bob, I`ve never seen you get out of that chair even to go to the bathroom!

I still lust for a real McCoy slow stationary diesel for power co-generation and a Witte would be a class act for sure but these engines don`t seem to have made it out my way. I guess I`m living beyond Witte`s end.

Yeah, well, going to the bathroom is one thing. Tracking down that engine with a distinctive beat is another thing.

rcavictim · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:08:36 AM »

Quote from: Doug on January 20, 2008, 06:51:34 PM

Rob:

Look around Petrolia.
Where there's oil there areoil field engines.

That other Doug who used to post here told me they sell some Arrow engines here in Ontario.

Doug,

I made a few calls to oilfield equipment service companies in the Petrolia area about a year ago with no luck. I was told that this type of engine was not used out there, natural gas or electric or somesuch. I forget the fuzzy details but remember the `NO`.

Stan · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2008, 02:30:27 AM »

Most of the oilfiield engines in Alberta are run on propane, unless they have been yanked out and replaced with electric. At least all of the half dozen I have walked across the fields to examine.
Stan

rcavictim · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2008, 02:48:40 AM »

Stan,

"Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny"

Clearly! However in the development of commercial prototypes this is true only until the mold has been finalized. For production models it seems not to apply. This I will say however. On even the best days, all vertically oriented pistons have their ups and downs.

Stan · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:52:37 AM »

Unless they're stuck

Stan

rcavictim · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:53:32 AM »

Quote from: Stan on January 21, 2008, 05:52:37 AM

Unless they're stuck
Stan

I`m sorry Stan, I don`t know why I threw in that bit about the pistons which had nothing to do with the subject comparing your processes of ontogeny and phylogeny, and the evolutionary action inherent in the making of a mold and the progeny of such mold which are then ironically isolated from evolution.

Back when I pumped gas at the motor pool I was a respected fill-officer. To recapitulate I guess I was trying to blow off steam. I had to clear some cobwebs out of dark corners of the old noodle this weekend in my pen on paper fight with the government and insurance company. Bastards!

Stan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2008, 03:04:55 PM »

Tell me about it, I fought with (not so) Great West Life for a year. I lost.
Stan

rbodell · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2008, 10:15:14 PM »

I took a friend out hunting oil field engines the other day. hopefully this link come out, the video and photos came out real good.

The last one we found was rite next to the road with no fence around it so we got some closeup photos.

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=QAfk_5WNxVY&rel=1&eurl=http%3A//listerengine.com/smf/index.php%3Ftopic%3D2986.0&iurl=http%3A//i.ytimg.com/vi/QAfk_5WNxVY/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskJ0AjdGTNgLq9o8O4kq1a44&

rcavictim · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2008, 12:07:29 AM »

Hey Bob,

I tried that link and u-toob says the video is no longer available.

rbodell · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2008, 02:23:03 AM »

Quote from: rcavictim on January 30, 2008, 12:07:29 AM

Hey Bob,

I tried that link and u-toob says the video is no longer available.

Thjat is strange, it worked for me. Try this one. http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=QAfk_5WNxVY

mike90045 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2008, 02:35:36 AM »

Quote from: rbodell on January 30, 2008, 02:23:03 AM

Quote from: rcavictim on January 30, 2008, 12:07:29 AM
Hey Bob,

I tried that link and u-toob says the video is no longer available.
Thjat is strange, it worked for me. Try this one. http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=QAfk_5WNxVY

Ditto - the video is no longer available. Thanks for the 2nd link, that worked.

sid · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2008, 02:50:26 AM »

there was a 8-10 hp witte very similar to that one at the swap meet at avon park 2 weeks ago///if was for sale but I did not ask the price..I will be back at the same show at the end of feb/if still there I will get pictures and price// the engine ran several days and sounded very good// it was a gas verson that looked almost like the diesel version/I do not see very many with that type radiator//sid

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