JP Berry Engines

[SamC]

Hey guys, I am new to this list, I dont currently have an oilfield engine, but I do have a few smaller engines. A 2hp Witte B, 5hp Jaeger/Hercules hit&miss, and a 7.5hp Fairbanks-Morse Z throttler with clutch. I was looking through the posts for info and pics on JP Berry Engines from Petrolia, PA. I am curious if anyone has info and/or pics of any. I saw there is a man named Cliff Atkinson from Valencia, PA. who has one, but I dont think he is a member of the OFES forum. Any help is greatly appreciated. Sam

[W.P.Klein]

Welcome to the "brotherhood" Sam! Tom Rapp has one on display at Coolspring. Come see it at the upcoming show. There were two sold last weekend at an auction in Callensburg, perhaps one of the buyers will chime in here. Others are owned by Randy Dunlap of Chicora and Ed Walker of Butler. They were very muck like the Evans engines except the ex valve was underneath the head as opposed to being on the front of the head. Bill Klein

[Mike G]

Hi Sam,

Welcome to Smokstak! I am from Valencia, PA but can't say I know the guy you mentioned. It would cool to meet another oilfield engine guy in my neighborhood!

Mike

[SamC]

Hey, Thank you Mike and Bill for all of the info. So, I take it they are a 2 stroke type. Did they make any other size engines, or only the 15hp? Mike, I found out about Cliff Atkinson from a post I found on google about the Sisterville show, that came up when I was searching for Berry engine info. Not much of anything out there on the net about them, or any youtube videos of one running. But there are several videos of Ball engines running, awesome too!! Thank you again!! Sam

[Dwight Vivas]

Hi Sam,
All I've ever seen were 4 cycle, not sure they even built a 2 cycle.
I had a chance to get one several years ago, but as usual, I was a day late & a dollar short )

[Rich Hudak]

To the best of my knowledge, JP Berry only built 4 cycle engines. I could be wrong. I have a one, I think its 15hp, but have also heard it my be 13hp. I heard that there are as many as 15 known to still exist. I've personally seen 5 complete engines and know of 1 other runner, and have seen 3 parts engines. I'm no expert by any means. If I've seen that many i'm sure that 15+ is probably a realistic number. so... just my .02

[SamC]

Ok, that is all more useful info. Dwight, that is a shame you missed out on that one. So much of finding this stuff seems to be being at the right place at the right time. Rich, you know where more of them are located than I do! I know about the one at Coolsprings, and the one owned by Cliff in Valencia as of a few years ago anyhow. I have been into motors, engines for as long as I can remember, and like most engine collectors, I started to become interested in the big power. Oilfield engines have always held a special place in my heart, due to my relatives in western Pa. and their farm with wells on it. The farm is right near Petrolia, and that is why the Berry engines have importance to me. I know, years ago, maybe as recently as the early 80's, there were 8 different wells on the farm. The majority of them, were powered by a Ball engine in a powerhouse with the rodlines that ran out to the wells. Some of them, couldnt be ran by the Ball, however, and so they had some others like a Spang, and a Price engine that was made in nearby Renfrew, Pa, and I believe even a Swan engine was there as well. Some different ones have come and gone, as my great uncles out there have been collecting, selling and trading old iron for a long time. Along with Steam traction engines and portables, and a good amount of the old farm equipment. Currently, there is only one well left, and it is pumped by an electric motor that runs a Cook pumpjack up on the hill. That smell of fresh crude from the ground is tatooed in my sinuses. I never tire of it or anything that deals with old iron. I look forward to keeping in contact with the list and its members, this is definitely the right place to talk old engines. Thank you again. Sam

[Oilcrazy]

The Berry engine castings were made in Butler Pa by the Butler Engine and Foundry that was on Monroe Street. They made castings for Evans, Ball and a couple other engine companies. I know of one in Petrolia and one in North Wahington Pa.

[SamC]

Hey Oilcrazy, Thank you for adding that, I wasn't aware of that connection between the Berry's and Butler Foundry. I know of one in Petrolia as well that is owned by my relatives out there. Thanks again Sam

[P Schmidt]

Originally Posted by Oilcrazy

The Berry engine castings were made in Butler Pa by the Butler Engine and Foundry that was on Monroe Street. They made castings for Evans, Ball and a couple other engine companies. I know of one in Petrolia and one in North Wahington Pa.

The timing gear on my Berry is identical to the one on my Evans.
Wonder if there were any other connections between the companies?
Paul

[SamC]

Hey guys, I now own my first OFE!!! I bought the Berry engine from my uncle near Petrolia when we went out there to go to the Coolsprings meet. He has had it for a number of years. It doesn't run, it will take some work to get it to, nothing too extensive though. I haven't been able to bring it home yet though, because I am recovering from brain surgery. I look forward to bringing it home soon. I will post some pictures of it soon. Sam

[W.P.Klein]

Congratulations Sam, you won't regret your purchase! Hope your recovery goes well. Bill Klein

[SamC]

Thank you, Bill!! I am back to work again, and pretty well up to normal(but most people who know me would say I am anything but!!!) Haha!! I am looking forward to bringing that big beauty home!! It had a homemade flatbelt pulley bolted to the inside of the left flywheel that was belted to a waterpump and fan which sat behind an old honeycomb radiator, those are not in the best of shape, and not on the engine's skid anymore. I plan on tank cooling it. I brought some parts home with me, oilers, and intake & exhaust valves with housings. I will keep you all updated!! Take care, Sam

[SamC]

Here are the pics I have of the engine as she sits out at the farm.

[SamC]

Here is one other shot looking in towards the crank.

[P Schmidt]

Sam
When you have time could you post the bore and flywheel dia. ?
I would like to compare it to mine.
Thanks,
Paul

[SamC]

Hey Paul, I will have to call my uncles and ask them for the bore and flywheel diameter. I am going to guess the flywheels are about 60 inches in diameter. I will find out and let you know. Your engine looks to be in pretty good shape. Thanks for sharing a pic of it! Take care, Sam

[justme7917]

hey paul a friend told me the oil company put the clean out patches on them engines. rich

[P Schmidt]

Originally Posted by justme7917

hey paul a friend told me the oil company put the clean out patches on them engines. rich

Rich
I guess they did it to clean out mineral deposits and other dirt?
My 8 and 15 Evans both have them on the bottom of the cyl.
Paul

---------- Post added at 12:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:10 PM ----------

Sam
Measured mine today.
flywheels 60"
bore 9.5"
stroke 14"

I think it is a 13hp.
Paul

[SamC]

Hey Paul, I know its been a long a time since this thread has been added to. I have measured the flywheels on my Berry, and I came up with 60" flywheels, 9.5" bore, and 14" stroke as well, but I have been told it is rated at 15 horsepower. I have brought home the clutches, governor, all the old piping that was there, the old radiator and waterpump/fan. Sorry it has been so long since I have replied with the measurements from my Berry. Take care, Sam