Does anybody recognize this engine?

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redruM69

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Feb 13, 2014
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Hi guys, new here.
I recently acquired this little motor: Pics here

Its 36cc (Maybe 35cc), has a TK carb, reed inducted, magneto+points. The last 2 pics show a logo that is stamped on all the castings. I believe it to be an older Tanaka / TAS engine.

I contacted Mike Schneider of bikebug.net, as I heard he was a Tanaka expert. He said he believes it to be a "BX3" engine, manufactured before the Spitz. Other than that, he couldn't give me any info. I attempted to Google Tanaka BX3, in hopes to find at least a scrap of info, but came up empty handed.

Does anybody have any info?
 
Ludwig II

Ludwig II

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Jul 17, 2012
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I'm going to throw a spanner in the works, and ask if it's not an older Kawasaki 2 stroke.
 
Ludwig II

Ludwig II

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Jul 17, 2012
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It's reed valve, about 35cc, and made out of apparently good metal. It most resembles a minimoto engine, but is too old looking for that. The carb is not designed to work far outside the horizontal.

The question is, is it European, American or Japanese?
 
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redruM69

New Member
Feb 13, 2014
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Utah
Ludwig II said:
It's reed valve, about 35cc, and made out of apparently good metal. It most resembles a minimoto engine, but is too old looking for that. The carb is not designed to work far outside the horizontal.

The question is, is it European, American or Japanese?
Click to expand...
Its Japanese. Its stamped "JAPAN" on the bottom.
 
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redruM69

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Feb 13, 2014
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Theon said:
Loors like it maybe a chainsaw motor to me.
Click to expand...
Unlikely with the float style carb. It would be a saw that would only run upright. However, it is very possible it is a utility engine, such as a pump. Its unusual however as those engines are normally not reed inducted. The threaded crank also leads me to believe it had a centrifugal clutch.

I'd love to get it running, but need a source of parts. Somebody did a hack of a porting job on it, so the cylinder and piston are scuffed pretty bad. I'll have to overbore it and clean up the ports.
 
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Theon

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Jan 20, 2014
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Looks a little to good to be a utility motor?
I agree the carb would not suit a chainsaw that well.
It looks like it would suit a larger scale RC application nicely.
 
maniac57

maniac57

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Oct 8, 2011
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I'm going to throw Kawasaki out there as well. I've seen several old Kawi's with that rounded head style. Mostly lawn equipment.
Looks like a nice engine to play with! Nice find!
 
Ludwig II

Ludwig II

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After a good search session, I'm not much closer to an answer, except it is the same crankcase reed pattern of Tecumseh, Clinton, West Bend in America in the early 1960s. It is possibly an engine off an auger, it's laid out like a Tanaka P-7, but with different finning.

I wish you luck.
 
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curtisfox

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Dec 29, 2008
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I have one like that, seems to be tucumesh, but looks a little different. Mine was on a strieght shaft brush cutter. Ludwig pm me your email and i can send you some pictures,don't know how to post yet............Curt
 
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redruM69

New Member
Feb 13, 2014
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Utah
Ludwig II said:
After a good search session, I'm not much closer to an answer, except it is the same crankcase reed pattern of Tecumseh, Clinton, West Bend in America in the early 1960s. It is possibly an engine off an auger, it's laid out like a Tanaka P-7, but with different finning.

I wish you luck.
Click to expand...
Reed cage is 4 bolt like a clinton, but its quite a bit smaller. You are correct that it is similar looking to the P-7, but the P-7 has an external magneto. This one hides it under the crank behind a missing cover.

What about this logo?
 
Ludwig II

Ludwig II

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Jul 17, 2012
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curtisfox said:
I have one like that, seems to be tucumesh, but looks a little different. Mine was on a strieght shaft brush cutter. Ludwig pm me your email and i can send you some pictures,don't know how to post yet............Curt
Click to expand...
maxxengland(at)yahoo.co.uk

As we speak, I have unleashed the finest defectives on a hunt for the beast.
 
Ludwig II

Ludwig II

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Jul 17, 2012
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The A logo could be a foundry mark, or the logo of a casting supplier. It is mentally on file to be flagged if seen again.
 
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