Nortronics Division - Engine Gasoline - Northrop Corp.

m38a1chuck · Post by **m38a1chuck** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:42 pm

I'm looking at an engine that a guy says is an M38A1 style. The data plate on the side says

Engine Gasoline

Manufactured by Nortronics Division - Northrop Corp.

Looks like a M38A1. Anyone have any info on Northrop working a government contract for the M38A1?

Thanks,

Chuck

linx310 · Post by **linx310** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:25 pm

Could it be a APU used to start planes?

I know I have scene willys engines used in this type of application before I believe.

m38a1chuck · Post by **m38a1chuck** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:33 pm

linx310 wrote:Could it be a APU used to start planes?

I know I have scene willys engines used in this type of application before I believe.

It seems to be some specialty engine. Tech data:

2805-00-812-6433

2805-00-812-6433 Characteristics Data
MRC Criteria Characteristic
AAXZ CYLINDER QUANTITY 4
AWXE CYLINDER ARRANGEMENT STRAIGHT IN-LINE
ACXZ STANDARD BORE DIAMETER 3.125 INCHES
AWXF STROKE LENGTH 4.375 INCHES
AXCQ STROKES PER CYCLE 4
AXCW BRAKE HORSEPOWER AT SPECIFIED RPM 72.000 BHP AT 4000.0 RPM
ACZV COOLING MEDIUM LIQUID
AXCZ DIRECT RAW WATER COOLING FEATURE NOT INCLUDED
AXDA CLOSED SYSTEM HULL COOLING FEATURE NOT INCLUDED
AXDB CYLINDER HEAD TYPE F-HEAD
AXDE FUEL INDUCTION TYPE CARBURETOR
AXDH IGNITION TYPE BATTERY
AXDJ DUAL IGNITION SYSTEM NOT INCLUDED
AXDK CRANKSHAFT ROTATION DIRECTION COUNTERCLOCKWISE
AYPC STARTER NOT INCLUDED
AXDP STARTING METHOD ELECTRICAL
CRFK ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE SUPPRESSION PROVIDED
AXJL CLUTCH NOT INCLUDED
AXJM MAIN POWER TAKEOFF ROTATION DIRECTION COUNTERCLOCKWISE
AGEB FORDING FEATURE INCLUDED
AKYD ACCESSORY COMPONENTS AND QUANTITY 1 CARBURETOR, 1 DISTRIBUTOR, 1 LUBRICATING OIL FILTER, 1 BATTERY CHARGING GENERATOR, 1 FRESH WATER PUMP, 1 SCAVENGING OIL PUMP
SR-5 MANUFACTURERS CODE 19207
SR-5 DESIGN CONTROL REFERENCE 9092050

dago_red · Post by **dago_red** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:32 pm

I know this is an old thread, but just happened across it.

Recently, I picked up my M100 trailer and the guy offered me an M38A1 engine made by/for Nortronics/ Northrop. It had all the info on it as discussed by the original poster. Same side data plate, etc and painted OD; dark like paint #24087. Owner said that his friend got it surplus and it was running at the time of surplus. By the time this guy got it, it had sat for years.

The owner of it pulled a number of parts from it, notably the crank, all exhaust valves and a piston. He offered me the rest for free. I took a box or two of parts- basically all that was left. But I left the block. I can get it later if I want, but it's a ways from me, so I can't get any more info on it right now.

But he said he thought it had been from a stationary unit. It is definitely an F-HEAD engine; I have the head in my shed. I imagine the block would work with any F head internals.

Anybody have any knowledge of these Nortronics engines?

Post by **wesk** » Sat May 21, 2011 6:05 am

The key lies in the technical descritpion:

2805-00-812-6433 Characteristics Data
MRC Criteria Characteristic

MRC is a USMC Mobile Radio, Communications System. This could be a jeep or a trailer mounted power supply engine.

The majority of USMC MRC Jeeps were done at the USMC depots like Albany.

dago_red · Post by **dago_red** » Sat May 21, 2011 4:25 pm

I'll see if I can find out more about its origins, but as I recall, he said the engine was out of a stationary unit.

Interesting, Wes, you say it's a USMC unit; the paint on it isn't really quite 24087; it's more like the forest green the Corps used.

I mostly took the parts for possible barter. But the block could come in handy in the future. The engine didn't look to be high hours.

Is it reasonable to expect the engine parts to be interchangeabe with other F-heads? Any links to get more info?

Post by **wesk** » Sun May 22, 2011 7:45 am

It was not uncommon for the system contractors to include their data plate on the engine plate instead of the OEM supplier of the engine. I would bet the engine is out of an USMC MRC radio jeep or a Vietnam era trailer mounted radio power supply system. I'd say it is in fact really a Willys or Kaiser supplied engine.

dago_red · Post by **dago_red** » Mon May 30, 2011 12:08 pm

Wes,

I realize this thread needs to move aside, but just one more thing about the engine in question; you mention many were used as stationary units; the parts I pulled off the engine I was offered included the pan. It did not include a skid pate on it, so I'd say it was indeed a stationary unit, never intended for a vehicle.

Post by **wesk** » Tue May 31, 2011 10:26 am

Yes, most likely it was produced for the power unit application. Especially if it had the smaller intake manifold as well.

dago_red · Post by **dago_red** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:02 pm

I have the head in the shop- I'll compare it to the one in the A1- maybe it's not compatible (I brought it home to have a spare). By not compatible, i mean if it doesn't produce as much horsepower as the regular F head or run the same carb, then I may not view it as a spare.