	Messenger
Section Links Whats New (15 Dec) Technical Info Photos Brochures and Manuals Fixit Trading Post Asinine Alley II Friends Horseless Carriage Club of Southern California Maxwell-Briscoe Owners: Yahoo Discussion Group AAAC Maxwell Registry HCCA Horseless.Com Resources Mangin Mirrors Restoration Supply Company Veteran Auto Lamps	April Updates The AB crankcase is out to the machine shop for new bearings and a line bore. The king pins have been chromed and reground. I'm fitting new front wheel bearings. With some luck, we'll be on the road for July 4. We got a new request: I need the following parts for a 1912 Maxwell Messenger; radiator and/or shell, door handle, splash aprons, belly pan, lights, horn, what have you? Gary Doty, gddoty@earthlink.net January Update 1917 complete rolling chassis with good wheels, cowl, windshield, hood, front fenders, radiator, splash aprons and running boards. Engine has compression. It would make a good speedster or hack, also have extra engine for parts. Want to sell for $2000. Gary Doty, 1043 N.W. State Rd. 196, ElDorado, Ks, 67042-8356 or email to gddoty@earthlink.net. December Update Received a PDF of Maxwell serial numbers, 1911-24, from Rick Zenger who found it at the Library of Congress. And the following note of parts for sale came from Tim Morsher: I have some items that possibly were from a maxwell truck, circa 1916: a camshaft, crankshaft/flywheel , and also a set of 4 wood wheels/rims. A later note amended: the rear axles I thought were maxwell truck turned out to be car, circa 1908 or so, and these parts came with the same load of stuff. I would like to find good homes for these items, and will sell reasonably to someone that needs them. Tim Morsher 285 East Main St., Norwalk, Ohio 44857 419.668.3003 November Update The new cam is done. The jugs are finished. The front end is being tidied up, with freshly chromed king pins, and the spindles are being bushed. The torque rods at the back end have been rebushed and the bolts are being chromed and ground. Just need to do the mains, including re-babbiting the center main. Photos will follow as the motor is put back together. We received the following request for parts: Looking for parts for 1916 model 25 touring. Wanted---headlight lenses,1 headlight bracket, top irons, spare tire brackets, And other spares. Call Mike at 618-410-0335. Thanks Added some more Simms-Huff material in Technical Info. August Update Not much new. Still waiting for the new cam on the AB. New valve guides have been inserted, new valves in place, jugs bored +.060. I'm working on the front end, which was as loose as a goose: Re-arched the right front spring; the king pins need to be re-done as do the yokes, including replacement of the threads on the left front. We've had several requests for info on Model 25 Maxwells. I will be posting (when I get time to scan it) the parts book. Also a parts book for Models E and G, 1910. New Material Phil Knighton has forwarded us several new pieces of information he has collected: First, a piece of poetry (pdf-254KB) from the first edition of the Cooperator; Second, an article (pdf-645KB) by J.D. Maxwell concerning early production; Third, Benjamin Briscoe's numbers (pdf-1.44MB) on early production; Finally, photos from his number 245 engine and chassis illustrating an early production rear end and jugs. James Zordich has graciously allowed us to make available his monograph on the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company. See Articles in the right column. A version of this monograph appeared in different form in the Nov-Dec, 1976 issue of Horseless Carriage Gazette. Thanks to Howard Dennis, now available in Technical Info, 1917 Instruction Manual (PDF-5.3MB) and the 1916 Illustrated part and Price Book (PDF-9.6MB). New Pistons The new Ross pistons and a Ford Model A rod. On the right, stock piston and rod. A Tale of Two Covers Tim Simonsma has provided photos of the history and restoration of his Horseless Carriage Gazette cover car, a 1911 AB. They can be seen here. Some Progress notes: In order to discern the arcane brass mysteries of the Maxwell carburetor, Tim Simonsma has provided his 2 cylinder carburetor operating instructions. Tom Thoburn supplied wiring diagrams for 1914-1919 cars and the 1 Ton Truck. Tom has also provided general operating instructions covering Models L, S, RL, RS, H, HB, DR, N, and O. A 1911 Instruction Manual (pdf files) has been posted. The AB overhaul: (N.B. All diehard, Maxwell purists better not read any further. You can start again with Vern Cambell's beautiful AB.) The jugs were cleaned and rebored to +.040". New pistons are being made at Ross Pistons (www.rosspistons.com). They have been ground skirted. In any case, they will be slightly domed to marginally increase compression and a lot lighter than the Jahns. The Jahns are monsters, pretty but huge. They probably weigh almost as much as the original cast iron pistons. I want to reduce the weight being thrown around. In that light, I'm also putting in Ford Model A connecting rods. Pre-chrome crank--note the scored transmission journals. The crankshaft has been straightened (I didn't know it was bent), chromed and reground by Phil Reed's Electronic Chrome in Santa Fe Springs. (also done was the transmission shaft). Transmission shaft scoring. Lubrication seems to have difficulty reaching down into the shaft. Both the end of the crank which fits inside the transmission shaft and the transmission shaft itself were highly scored. The connecting rod journals were enlarged to 1.400 to accomodate the Model A rods. The center main bearing was in good shape and rather than try to re-babbit it, the center main was ground over by .002 and the fit is good. The first transmission journal is at 1.020, 0.020 over; the second is at 0.890, .015 over. Everything else was put back to stock. New valve guides are being installed along with new valves. The seats are okay. I'm grinding new cams to widen out the tops and let the car breath a little more. (For more pictures of the crank (full sized) go here.) New Photo Vern Campbell's Model AB in Photos Terry Huston Library 1911 Advanced Description 1911 Model Brochure 1906 Model Brochure 1909 H-Dr-O Parts Book 1910 Model Brochure The Co-Operator: Vol. 1 No. 1, November 1,1907 1915 Material Frank Squire scanned and supplied a copy of the 1915 Instruction booklet. It is in one 6 MB pdf file here. Frank has also sent in a 1914-5 Parts booklet, the 1915 supplement and the Simms Magneto booklet. They are now included in Technical Info. (Warning, the pdf files are large, so if you are using a slow connection, they will take some time to download.) The Maxwell Messenger This website is designed as a resource for those interested in the Maxwell automobiles manfactured by the Maxwell Briscoe Motor Company and its successors. NOTICE: The Maxwell Messenger needs your cooperation to succeed. We're looking for articles, photographs, information, anything that can help fill out this site. Especially important are hints and help in restoration, resources for parts, suggestions for repairs. Also needed are personal stories, jokes, histories, and anything else that might be of interest. Just send an email with your ideas. We can scan photos and return them. Thanks, the editors. nota bene : The Maxwell Messenger site is not responsible for the accuracy, honesty, legitimacy, reality, truth, justice, or American wayness of any items advertised or any advertiser soliciting a sale. We cannot guarantee, backup, defend, or make good any complalint you might have. That is private business between you and the vendor. CAVEAT EMPTOR	Recent Articles James Zordich's "Maxwell" mongraph: Readable online here Download PDF here Download Model Specifications PDF here Tim Simonsma's 1911 AB Operation of the 2 cylinder Maxwell carburetor. "The Co-Operator": check it out Maxwell Heaven: a visit with Merle Simonsma (four new pictures) beginning... Maxwell-Briscoe Co. a couple notes ... Firehouse 5 + 2 full story... Jack Benny full story...
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April Updates

The AB crankcase is out to the machine shop for new bearings and a line bore. The king pins have been chromed and reground. I'm fitting new front wheel bearings. With some luck, we'll be on the road for July 4.

We got a new request:

I need the following parts for a 1912 Maxwell Messenger; radiator and/or shell, door handle, splash aprons, belly pan, lights, horn, what have you? Gary Doty, gddoty@earthlink.net

January Update

1917 complete rolling chassis with good wheels, cowl, windshield, hood, front fenders, radiator, splash aprons and running boards. Engine has compression. It would make a good speedster or hack, also have extra engine for parts. Want to sell for $2000. Gary Doty, 1043 N.W. State Rd. 196, ElDorado, Ks, 67042-8356 or email to gddoty@earthlink.net.

December Update

Received a PDF of Maxwell serial numbers, 1911-24, from Rick Zenger who found it at the Library of Congress.

And the following note of parts for sale came from Tim Morsher:

I have some items that possibly were from a maxwell truck, circa 1916: a camshaft, crankshaft/flywheel , and also a set of 4 wood wheels/rims.

A later note amended: the rear axles I thought were maxwell truck turned out to be car, circa 1908 or so, and these parts came with the same load of stuff.

I would like to find good homes for these items, and will sell reasonably to someone that needs them.

Tim Morsher 285 East Main St., Norwalk, Ohio 44857 419.668.3003

November Update

The new cam is done. The jugs are finished. The front end is being tidied up, with freshly chromed king pins, and the spindles are being bushed. The torque rods at the back end have been rebushed and the bolts are being chromed and ground. Just need to do the mains, including re-babbiting the center main. Photos will follow as the motor is put back together.

We received the following request for parts:

Looking for parts for 1916 model 25 touring. Wanted---headlight lenses,1 headlight bracket, top irons, spare tire brackets, And other spares. Call Mike at 618-410-0335. Thanks

Added some more Simms-Huff material in Technical Info.

August Update

Not much new. Still waiting for the new cam on the AB. New valve guides have been inserted, new valves in place, jugs bored +.060. I'm working on the front end, which was as loose as a goose: Re-arched the right front spring; the king pins need to be re-done as do the yokes, including replacement of the threads on the left front.

We've had several requests for info on Model 25 Maxwells. I will be posting (when I get time to scan it) the parts book. Also a parts book for Models E and G, 1910.

New Material

Phil Knighton has forwarded us several new pieces of information he has collected:

First, a piece of poetry (pdf-254KB) from the first edition of the Cooperator;
Second, an article (pdf-645KB) by J.D. Maxwell concerning early production;
Third, Benjamin Briscoe's numbers (pdf-1.44MB) on early production;
Finally, photos from his number 245 engine and chassis illustrating an early production rear end and jugs.

James Zordich has graciously allowed us to make available his monograph on the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company. See Articles in the right column. A version of this monograph appeared in different form in the Nov-Dec, 1976 issue of Horseless Carriage Gazette.

Thanks to Howard Dennis, now available in Technical Info, 1917 Instruction Manual (PDF-5.3MB) and the 1916 Illustrated part and Price Book (PDF-9.6MB).

New Pistons

The new Ross pistons and a Ford Model A rod.

On the right, stock piston and rod.

A Tale of Two Covers

Tim Simonsma has provided photos of the history and restoration of his Horseless Carriage Gazette cover car, a 1911 AB. They can be seen here.

Some Progress notes:

In order to discern the arcane brass mysteries of the Maxwell carburetor, Tim Simonsma has provided his 2 cylinder carburetor operating instructions.

Tom Thoburn supplied wiring diagrams for 1914-1919 cars and the 1 Ton Truck. Tom has also provided general operating instructions covering Models L, S, RL, RS, H, HB, DR, N, and O.

A 1911 Instruction Manual (pdf files) has been posted.

The AB overhaul:

(N.B. All diehard, Maxwell purists better not read any further. You can start again with Vern Cambell's beautiful AB.)

The jugs were cleaned and rebored to +.040".

New pistons are being made at Ross Pistons (www.rosspistons.com). They have been ground skirted. In any case, they will be slightly domed to marginally increase compression and a lot lighter than the Jahns.

The Jahns are monsters, pretty but huge. They probably weigh almost as much as the original cast iron pistons.

I want to reduce the weight being thrown around. In that light, I'm also putting in Ford Model A connecting rods.

Pre-chrome crank--note the scored transmission journals.

The crankshaft has been straightened (I didn't know it was bent), chromed and reground by Phil Reed's Electronic Chrome in Santa Fe Springs.

(also done was the transmission shaft).

Transmission shaft scoring.

Lubrication seems to have difficulty reaching down into the shaft. Both the end of the crank which fits inside the transmission shaft and the transmission shaft itself were highly scored.

The connecting rod journals were enlarged to 1.400 to accomodate the Model A rods. The center main bearing was in good shape and rather than try to re-babbit it, the center main was ground over by .002 and the fit is good. The first transmission journal is at 1.020, 0.020 over; the second is at 0.890, .015 over. Everything else was put back to stock.

New valve guides are being installed along with new valves. The seats are okay. I'm grinding new cams to widen out the tops and let the car breath a little more.

(For more pictures of the crank (full sized) go here.)

New Photo

Vern Campbell's Model AB in Photos

Terry Huston Library

1911 Advanced Description
1911 Model Brochure
1906 Model Brochure
1909 H-Dr-O Parts Book
1910 Model Brochure
The Co-Operator: Vol. 1 No. 1, November 1,1907

1915 Material

Frank Squire scanned and supplied a copy of the 1915 Instruction booklet. It is in one 6 MB pdf file here.

Frank has also sent in a 1914-5 Parts booklet, the 1915 supplement and the Simms Magneto booklet. They are now included in Technical Info. (Warning, the pdf files are large, so if you are using a slow connection, they will take some time to download.)

The Maxwell Messenger

This website is designed as a resource for those interested in the Maxwell automobiles manfactured by the Maxwell Briscoe Motor Company and its successors.

NOTICE: The Maxwell Messenger needs your cooperation to succeed. We're looking for articles, photographs, information, anything that can help fill out this site. Especially important are hints and help in restoration, resources for parts, suggestions for repairs. Also needed are personal stories, jokes, histories, and anything else that might be of interest. Just send an email with your ideas. We can scan photos and return them. Thanks, the editors.

nota bene : The Maxwell Messenger site is not responsible for the accuracy, honesty, legitimacy, reality, truth, justice, or American wayness of any items advertised or any advertiser soliciting a sale. We cannot guarantee, backup, defend, or make good any complalint you might have. That is private business between you and the vendor.

CAVEAT EMPTOR