Is It a "Waukesha"?     (added April 2012)

Is It a "Waukesha"?

Antique engine restorers occasionally come across an old engine without a name plate, or any other identification to indicate the manufacturer. Old Waukesha engines can be identified by the cast part numbers on the major external engine components.

 

Waukesha used a part numbering system whereby the last two digits of the part number series assigned to the engine model was coded to identify specific major components of the engine. The last two-digit code number for some of the major external engine components for Waukesha engines were:

 

 

If, on an unidentified engine, the last two digits of the part numbers cast on at least two of these major external engine components match Waukesha's coded part number system --it is almost certainly a "Waukesha"

 

For several years Waukesha used the first three digits of the part number series assigned to new engines as its model designation. Therefore, in these cases, the coded part number also indicates the model designation. These Waukesha engine models were the: 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 160, 180, 185, 190, 195 and 197.

 

Waukesha manufactured literally hundreds of engine models over the years, too many to include a part number/engine model cross reference in this article. However, I have included the part number series for three popular, small, 4-cylinder, Waukesha engines. They are:

 

For more information on an old Waukesha engines contact WEHS. Following are examples of the cast part numbers on the external components of two engines that identify them as a "Waukesha"!

 

Figure 1 Model 180 DLC

 

In Figure 1 above, the Crankcase part number for the engine is 180220H; the Rocker Arm Cover is 180239; the Exhaust Manifold is 181142A and the Flywheel Housing is 180557A. The last two digits of these part numbers match the Waukesha coded part number system and is therefore a "Waukesha". And as previously explained we know it is the Waukesha Model 180 DLC, another popular, small, 4-cylinder engine.

 

Figure 2 Model VRD220

 

In Figure 2 above, the Cylinder Head part number for the engine is 216002; the crankcase is 216020, the Intake Manifold is 216041 and exhaust manifold is 216042. Again all the part numbers match the Waukesha coded part number system and the engine is therefore a "Waukesha". In this case WEHS would have to be contacted in order to determine which Waukesha engine Model was assigned the 216xxx series of part numbers--- which, incidentally, was the Waukesha Model VRD220.

 

Rocky 2-2012

 

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