Identify this petrol engine (missing cyl/head)

Would/Could it B a

Compressor

???????????

cya

No mate you can see the two push rod holes in that greenish coloured top cover.
Also the magneto drive on the side.
That cover beside the mag seems odd, can't see any tapped holes. Perhaps it had a centre bolt like its mate on the opposite side?
Judging by the cylinder barrel bolts, she would have been a small hp petrol engine.

Yep, both side plates have pull in bars to hold them in. Pretty fancy stuff for such a small engine. I also thought petrol, but that many rings... overkill like the side plates but possibly standard practice for its era. Agree that it is not a compressor, starting "dog" not required on a compressor.

Fascinating isn't it? Really wish it was complete.

Thread form... Now there's some thunkin' goin' on. Have to try and figure it out for you.

Well John, (who is obviously shy ) has emailed me and identified it as a possible copy of a Plix engine from the 1920's. The Plix had the name cast on one of the covers, which this one does not have thus the suggestion of a copy. Plix made an automatic start lighting plant, which would have been incredible back then. From the little I can see though, the generator on the Plix was not the Dynamo that is sitting next to this engine. I wonder if somebody copied the engine to use as a general purpose engine?

Cheers,
Glenn.

A copy was known as a Mathews engine according to Mr Google which is what you might have because the photos below look like your engine

A picture of a Plix engine in the link below
www.oldmarineengine.com/discus/messages/3454/95872.html

Some more Plix pics

so do we call that a positive ID then ??????

looking pretty good to me

Paul

Yep, I reckon that's identified! Probably never know why it has no logo on it. Chance of finding a head.... Nil!