Conference Paper

Author

Richards, R. W.; Richards, V. L.; May, S. R.

Title

Western Australian Marine Engineering: Its History and Preservation; A Case Study of the West Ho Marine Engine Restoration

In

Fifth National Conference on Engineering Heritage 1990: Interpreting Engineering Heritage; Preprints of Papers

Imprint

Institution of Engineers, Australia, Western Australian Division, Perth, Western Australia, 1990, pp. 89-94

ISBN/ISSN

0909421234

Url

https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.624334375161673

Abstract

Marine engine design and development began in Western Australia by enterprising people adapting commercial models of motorbike engines, modifying outboard motors to inboard motors and developing improvements of existing marine engines. One of Western Australia's first pioneers was Ingvald (Tommy) Overgaard making inboard marine engines sold under the brand name West Ho. Opening his own engineering business in 1933, his work included replacing cylinders of Evinrude Elto outboards, adapting defunct Harley Davidson motorbike engines to inboard marine engines and then manufacturing single and later twin cylinder West Ho engines. The West Ho that was restored is a twin cylinder two stroke petrol engine which develops 8 hp at 1500 rpm. This engine was made in 1958 in the latter part of Overgaad's career. This engine was conserved and restored to working order because it is considered an important part of Western Australian maritime engineering heritage. Another primary reason for restoration was to reduce the corrosion processes usually associated with long term storage of engines. The choice of techniques employed were important so the original integrity of the artefact was preserved. Hence, the chemical conservation regimes were organized to suit this purpose and develop professional standards for museums. In the absence of any published guidelines for the long term preservation of historic engines for museums, this paper addresses some of the existing problems. The completion of the West Ho engine restoration marks the initial steps in the continued success of the diuturnal programme of historic engine conservation.

Related Published resources

isPartOf

• Fifth National Conference on Engineering Heritage 1990: Interpreting Engineering Heritage; Preprints of Papers (Perth, Western Australia: Institution of Engineers, Australia, 1990), 139 pp. https://search.informit.org/doi/book/10.3316/informit.0909421234. Details