During the summer of 1999, one of the subjects under discussion on the Stationary Engine Mailing List was the American publication, Gas Engine Magazine. It came in for a lot of criticism, but the discussion concluded several things. First of all, as GEM is a magazine which positively welcomes contributions from its readership, it was up to those readers to improve the content. Also, on the SEL (internet mailing list), the members are spoiled by the knowledge available and the speed with which it can be accessed. Gradually the suggestion surfaced that each month, someone could take one of the "threads" of discussion and turn it into a regular column for GEM. Just how the finger came to point at me to achieve this, I'm not sure, but I realised that if I did not take up the challenge, the apathy would spread. How the idea came about seemed like a good starting point for the first article, which was easy enough for someone of my limited technical knowledge, but one of the requests had been for more in-depth information for experienced engine restorers. For this, another list member, Chuck Balyeat in Texas, offered his services to check my completed articles for technical content.

The GEM Articles

	GEM	How it all began
	Paint Preparation	Tips on how to prepare and paint engines
	Gib Keys	Various methods of drilling out stubborn gib keys
	Stud Removal	How to remove rusted in steel studs
	Cold Starting	Starting and running engines in below zero temperatures
	Crankshafts	To make new or repair the existing one?
	Flywheels	Repairing cracks and safety issues
	Show Displays	Ideas for working displays at shows
	Honing	Suitable lubricants and general advice on honing
	ATIS	What the Mailing List is all about
	Piston removal	Removing a seized piston
	Bearings	Using JB Weld or babbitt for bearings
	Portland 2000	The greatest show of the new Millenium!
	Loading Tips	Tips for loading engines to transport to shows
	Show Heaven	Restored or "as found"? Everyone's got an opinion!
	Making Gaskets	Tools and advice to help
	Belt Dressing	How to stop belts slipping
	Barn Fresh	Is it still possible to find a genuine "barn fresh" engine?
	Cast Welding	Fixing a crack in a water jacket
	Cranks	To crank or not to crank - the argument rages on!
	Shows	Some tips to consider when organising an engine show
	Castor Oil	Can an alternative lubricant damage your engine?
	Show Snobbery	What about shows where "common engines" are discouraged?
	Degreasing	What is the best way to degrease an engine?
	Cooling Tanks	Setting up a tank cooling system
	Plugs and Tanks	Cleaning fouled plugs and dirty fuel tanks
	Slow Running	World preferences and advice on engine running speed
	Cracked Hubs	Repairing a cracked hub with a sweat ring
	Mufflers	Ideas for homebuilt mufflers
	Officialdom	Tips on what to do when your collection arouses the attention of local authorities
	Governing	Hit & Miss vs Throttle Governed - a mammoth discussion!
	Shims	Materials for replacement shims
	Webster Mags	Expert advice on repairing magnetos
	Warning Tales	"Been there, done that" safety warnings
	Paint Finish	Various questions about paint, filler and decals
	Draining Fuel	Advice on draining or preserving fuel over a period of time
	Wife Do-Nots	Keep your engines AND your wife!
	Winter Painting	Overcoming the problems of a cold, damp working environment
	Fuel Levels	How do you know how much fuel you've got, without a gauge?
	Moving & Loading	The safest ways to load, move and unload engines
	Cylinder Jackets	How to clean out years of deposits in a cylinder jacket
	Cosmetic Tips	Various suggestions for maintaining the appearance of engines
	Cylinder Repairs	What to do with a damaged cylinder
	Old Ways	How do original handbook methods shape up today?
	Magnetos	Magneto tips - the definitive collection
	Cooling Tanks 2	Cooling tanks to save water AND do their job
	Hopper Rust	Preventing rust in cooling tanks and hoppers
	Timing Marks	Timing an engine to prevent oil flinging!
	Flat Belts	Flat belt tension
	Built Up Cranks	Major crank shaft repairs
	Valve Guides	Different ways of repairing valves
	Show or Stow	Which engines to take out to shows, and what classes as hoarding!
	Brass, Bronze or Babbitt?	Using the right metal for the job

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