Living in Europe the last few years has given us the amazing opportunity to acquire engines which are not seen in Australia.  One such engine, which we were unable to pass by, was found at the 2004 Nuenen Rally in Holland. 

Reform Engine as purchased at Nuenen Rally 2004

The German engine was built by the company of Reform Motoren-Fabrik of Leipzig. The engine is serial number 1536, is rated 2hp at 750rpm and is believed to be circa 1905.  The ignition system is hot tube by continuous burner. The engine governors on the inlet valve not the exhaust valve.

When the engine was stripped down we found that the engine was in relatively good condition and had not seen heavy work during its life. The biggest problem the engine had was a crack in the cylinder water jacket, which at some point had been chemically welded.  This repair had started to split, so it was cleaned and prepared for cast iron kiln welding with oxy-acetylene.  I find that this is the best way to repair engine cracks.

The engine was repainted with a rich brown colour, which was used by many German manufacturers.

Finally patterns were made for the tank stand, which was cast in iron and the top and bottom of the fuel and water tank, which were cast in brass.  Copper sheet was moulded into shaped and riveted in place.  The design chosen being semi-circle in design, to complement the round shape of the engine.

Restored Reform Engine

This engine is constructed by S. Pompanon, and engineer based in Digoin, France.

Some of the engine features and machining techniques used are normally seen on engines built pre 1900, however with the high tension ignition the more probable date for this engine is post 1904.
 
There is no obvious serial number on the moteur, although there are numbers stamped. Very little is know about this maker, with only one other engine know to us, which happens to be a vertical model.

Pompanon engine as found

Restored Pompanon engine

The first we knew of this engine is when it appeared in a German stationary engine magazine. 

The engine had been found literally buried in the dirt near Dresden in Germany.  When found the engine was complete, with a modification to electric spark ignition, which had occurred during its working life.

Hille Engine before restoration

The engine is built by A. G Dresdner Gasmotoren-Fabrik Moritz Hille in Dresden, Germany. The engine is approximately ½ to 1hp.  The engine had been converted back to original hot-tube design.

It is only the second inverted Hille known by us to survive.  The engine was first run at rallies in Europe in 2007.

Hille Engine converted to hot-tube