The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

flywheel61 · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:34 am Post subject: Australian Parken engine.

I've just recieved my Parken engine that I was the successfull bidder on at the end of last week. The seller was quite honest re the condition. Whilst it is in unused condition, unfortunately it has lived it's life beside the sea and has a lot of rust and paint bubbles with rust underneath. The end cap on one end has what looks like sat crystals covering it.

The problem is whether I try & inject rust converter under the bubbles and spray it on the other rusted areas or do I strip and repaint it.

What do people think.

The remainder of the engine will be polished to it's original condition.

Cheers

Chris
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Manxman · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

Oh I like that Chris. It looks better in your pics than the one on ebay. For me the question is, how rare is it? The more rare an engine the closer to original I'd like to keep it. How old is it? Could you get a good paint match? That would look lovely if all the blue could be stripped and replaced.

So up to you. If I had to vote...... I'd want to sort the rust. So I'd want to strip the blue parts and repaint. Problem is how could I get blue paint, that colour that is suitable for a fire box?

You maybe forced into a good clean and keep the original paint.

What ever you decide, a very good addition to your collection.
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tmuir · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:44 am Post subject:

The worst rust looks like on the edge of the base, if you can get a matching blue I would be tempted to strip and repaint that bit and leave the rest.

The most important thing is to stop further rust, if you can do that without stripping the paint then thats the way to go but if the only way to stop the rust is a strip and repaint then I guess that is what you have to do.

Manx, I dont have full details on this engine but it was made in Melbourne and I believe some time between the 60s or 70s and I believe is the insiration for the Steamco engine.

The are uncommon like most OZ engines but not rare and usually sell for around $140 to $150 OZ. Thats the fourth one I've seen on ebay since Feb. For what ever reason the whistles seem to be commonly broken on them and its good to see that one isn't.

I may have more info at home and will check tonight.
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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

Wallace · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:22 am Post subject:

Chris, that engine looks great.

I would agree, now seeing the pics the rust needs attending to, by repainting the whole lot with the best matched paint you can.

The paint colour could possibly be Fordson Blue?

Great looking engine, and in great condition

Very nice buy

What colour should the burner be?
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Graham-Jilly · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:38 am Post subject:

That looks great Tony it should do up nicely.
that burner looks like its made from an old tobaco tin

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tmuir · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:52 am Post subject:

tmuir · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:53 am Post subject:

tmuir · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:01 am Post subject:

Couple of pics of another Parken.
Unfortunately this is the only photo I have of the instructions.

Here is a burner in good condition.

The engine was made by Parken Engineering Equipment Company of Canterbury, Melbourne, Australia and I think it should have a decal on it.
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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

Wallace · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:07 am Post subject:

Thanks for that pic Tony. It explains the burner well

I didn't know if it should have been chromed or something

Certainly is a nice engine and got it cheap too

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Sandman · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:09 am Post subject:

Great engine Chris.

I'm leaning more and more towards total resto where there is rust involved.

In my opinion you can never totally get rid of corrosion by treating the visible spots. There are always bits that are missed or corrosion going on under the paintwork that cannot be seen.

The way I look at it is this. If you don't attend to the rust ,it will in the end destroy the part, which will need renewing. I would rather renew the paint than the part.

I think as well I am beginning to think preservation as well as restoration.

Just my opinion Chris. Whatever you decide to do , it's a great engine.

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tmuir · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

I just realised Chris's burner is slightly different to the one in my picture, maybe they just used what ever tin they could get.
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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

Chris · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:51 am Post subject:

I like the burner. Has a real "knocked out in the shed" look. Maybe be some inspiration for those looking to make a simple homemade burner from an old tin.
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Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:02 am Post subject:

Great little engine!

It's a difficult one though

I would probaly leave it original though

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SillyBilly · Guest

A great, interesting, diffrent engine.

James · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject:

Nice engine!

I was soooo close to winning one of them once, before any of you knew what the hell a Parken was

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