During one of our mobilizations for restoration of one of the Grove Farm Homestead Museum locomotives in the early 1980's, we purchased a government surplus 120 cfm rotary screw air compressor with a Hercules diesel. The reason it was surplused by the government was a pinhole leak in the oil cooler. In less than a day that infirmity was corrected, but a few diesel engine parts were required for complete, reliable functionality.
Nary a diesel parts supplier on Kauai nor Honolulu could help. In that Hawaii and especially the outer islands are for all practical purposes "third world countries" as far as industrial supply parts are concerned, (not even black pipe is available commercially on Kauai) this was not surprising. However, when we started striking out with mainland suppliers, it got downright disconcerting.
Before getting truly frustrated, I asked for sage advice from the Grove Farm Plantation bulldozer repair shop Superintendent, Chet Holtwick. Without even stopping to think he directed, "Go down to Pacific Machinery and tell them you have a "WHITE" diesel engine and give them the same model and serial numbers you have and you won't have any problem. White bought out Hercules a long time ago but still services the Hercules models."
Lo and behold, all the parts we needed were stocked a few miles down the road, after being told by the same people they had never heard of a Hercules diesel engine.
This is one of the foundational experiences that helped form one of my “Principles for Successfully Solving Impossible Problems.” That being:
“If you want the RIGHT ANSWER, you have to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION.”
PS John Deere tractors use case hardend pins and bushing in nominal "inch" sizes that work in Baldwin spring rigging and brake rigging. The JD pins and bushings are stock items in all sizes even on Maui! Usually only the length has to be modified.
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File comment: PAULO operating on the temporary railroad laid on original RR right-of-way next to original Koloa Mill ruins for 150th Celebration of Sugar in Hawaii, 1985.
PAULO1985KOLOA.jpg [ 94.07 KiB | Viewed 6693 times ]
PAULO1985KOLOA.jpg [ 94.07 KiB | Viewed 6693 times ]