Oliver 70 1938 - 1948

[Bob S]

I just read an artical in Antique Power and the author indicated the 6 cylinder engine used in this tractor was manufactured by Continental. Is this correct? I thought my information sources always refered to Waukashaw. I know you guys will be happy to set me straight.
Thanks, Bob

 

[MIKE FRENCH]

yes that is true, 70's used continetal engine

 

[Lee E.]

The origin of the Oliver 70 engine has been identified in various ways over the years. As I recall,the Nebraska test refers to this engine as Oliver's "own",as did Oliver's literature. Larry Gay's Oliver book states that the 70 engine was built by Continental to Oliver's specifications. It is obvious that much of the "bottom" of this engine has a Continental heritage while the head is more unique. The Ethyl Corporation worked with Oliver and Continental on the head design and testing.

Oliver's relationship with Waukesha goes back to the the 1929 era with the joint development of the engines for the 18-27, 18-28 and 28-44 tractors. These engines are identified as Oliver's "own" engines in their literature. Some of these engines were actually manufactured at the Charles City plant. I believe that these engines were the last engines to be manufactures/assembled at Charles City.
The Oliver 60 engine was a joint development by Waukesha and Oliver with the engine being assembled by Waukesha. This arrangement continued with the 66, 77, 88, 99(including some 6 cylinder models),Super series, 3-digit series and most of the 4-digit series engines. (Exception being the GM powered tractors and the 1850 Diesel. The Charles City foundry did pour many of these engine blocks which were then hauled to Waukesha for finishing and assembly of the engines.

I welcome any corrections to my comments and/or further insights into the history of the "Oliver" engines used in Oliver tractors after 1930.

 

[Gary Spitznogle]

You forgot the super 44 and 440 had continentals also.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The last engines assembled in Charles City I think were the Moline engines + Charles City poured the blocks & heads for those engines.

 

[Brian Jasper co. Ia]

What Lee says is pretty much how it is stated in Herb Morrell's book on Oliver. Mr Morrell was an engineer for Oliver in Charles City. Oliver did most of the foundry work and ran the castings to Prairie Du Chein WI where another truck took the trailer load on to Waukesha. On the return trip completed engines came to Charles City.