The restoration of Kahlenberg engines is a hobby of a small group. These engines exist in many of the maritime museums around the great lakes. A few more are at old time equipment museums such as Cold Spring Ohio. Some are operational but most are nice cosmetic displays. There is one gentleman who travels around running a Kahlenberg hourly from his trailer at various events and fairs. I have seen reference to running Kahlenbergs as far away as Florida. The Kahlenberg factory shipped engines all over the world. The Philippines was one area in particular that received many of these reliable engines. During World War 2, General McArthur is on record boasting of the reliability of Kahlenberg engines and their contribution to the war effort powering many navy utility craft.
But back to the Kahlenberg community. I have made attempts at reaching out to a few of the people who have restored these engines. Kurt Krueger recently finished a two year restoration of a derelict Kahlenberg and donated it to the Door County Maritime Museum this past summer. The museum was kind enough to get me in touch with him and we have been talking occasionally these past few months. Kurt has already graciously helped me on a couple of issues. Having a person like this in my circle (or me in his) is invaluable. Just hearing the tales and getting a glimpse of the knowledge is both humbling and motivating. I view this as an elite club and I’m trying to earn my way in.