Two very good books on the workings of mechanical organs:

1. Herbert Jüttemann: "Waldkirch Street and Fairground Organs"
http://www.acpilmer.com/index.php?Reference_Book 

2. Eric Cockayne: "The Fairground Organ: Its Music, Mechanism and History"

Out of print, but fairly available, e.g.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Fairground-Organ-Mechanism-History/dp/0715349856 

Most all of my questions have been answered in one of these two books.
They focus on European organs, but the principles are the same as for
American organs.

Cheers,
Roger Wiegand
http://www.carouselorgan.com/