My first Lister D

Info update * Your Lister D No 1/57520 was supplied to Christian & Dobbs of Long Sutton on 12-12-1950 *
I never envisaged having one of these but it was really cheap and only 15 minutes drive so how could I not?

Having got it home I thought it best to see if it would run before putting it away for another time.
It actually had petrol in so I threw some water in and referred to you tube for what to do.
No joy starting so I looked at the spark plug first and it was proper fouled.

After a clean and a check before screwing it back in I had success.
Warming up....

After a while and cleaned the flywheel/belt drum while running.


I’ll continue this thread when this engine gets the full clean up

I made a start on this earlier than expected while I have waiting time on the H1 pump resto.
I bought this for reference, the guy did a great guide and its worth every penny.
Less than £12 delivered via SEP on eBay

I browsed through it yesterday to discover I had already broken Golden rule no 1
Having got your engine home do NOT try to start it
Too late! mine runs
So I took the top covers off for a start and found a pair of nickers on top or the valves and an almighty mess in the hopper. The bolts were all bodged with the wrong threads for some reason, should all be 5/16 BSW






Planning ahead I know I can make all the gaskets apart from the head so I chose the composite £8.95 delivered option.

Looks like you've got yourself a good basis for a reasonably simple restoration, complete with a working original type RS1 magneto. Most probably worth more than you have paid fort the complete engine, if it was as cheap as you suggest.

If you are interested there is a thread on here in the "Pumps and Engine Driven Equipment" section, where I was renovating an H4 pump and a Lister D type during the lock down. You might find some useful information for your restoration. The Lister D restoration starts on Page 4 of the thread.


Lister D Restoration Pg 4 onwards. Click here.


Neil.

Thank you Neil I’ll take a look.
I paid £95 on the trolley which is in need of some work and I’ll most likely sell it to fund making my own.

Seems to be a very fair price, especially as the value of a Lister D is rising all the time. At least they are economical to run which is important at this time!

Neil.

What's the Spec No and Serial No

28DH I'll have a look tomorrow.
I bought it from Michael J. Badger M.B.E. MA BSc LLB (Hons)

EDIT second half of 1950 I believe

What spec were the knickers?

Best not go there LOL

Today I thought it best to get the worst out of the way. The belt drum was drama free.

The flywheel


After filing square.




Ready to go


A couple of hard bangs off camera started it moving, then one handed ....


I will need a new gib key but that's better than being stuck.


I didn't find the flywheel any heavier than a Petter A one, possibly lighter.


I already bought a new chain




I found the brass head nuts were very comfy in an 18mm socket.


My impact gun made removal easy.


Next episode, valve gear and head off …

Today's plan changed to weekly shop followed by Buzz Lightyear. So while the Sun shone this afternoon I stripped and primed the flywheel and belt drum.








That's two less dirty jobs

Made between July and December 1950

Thanks for confirming. I found this guy useful yesterday

That document has been copied from The History and Developement of the Lister D type by David Edgington, I wonder if he got copyright permission.

Another one of numerous sources. I doubt anyone is concerned with copyright unless financial reward/gain is sought.
https://www.stationaryengineparts.com/vintage-lister-engine-dating-information/

I brought the RS1 magneto home with me to start the clean up. No idea what the top cover has been coated with besides the overspray.


After mucho scrubbing its clear that some black paint is the only path to recovery


The mag works so I'm not going to mess with it too much

Think your right - if it ain't broke don't fix it!

Alan

Great engines!   I remember having my first one about 40yrs ago and folk having a chuckle and saying "it's only a common old D".  I have had a lot of Lister D's and think they're a great little engine and a good engine to start off rallying!

Looking forward to seeing your finished engine!

Thanks. Yes I never imagined I'd have a D but the price was right and I'm enjoying the discovery curve.
72 yrs old is no spring chicken and so many are scrapped that they could well become rare LOL

Well Alan, the best laid plans and all LOL
One thing led to another and I did a full strip clean and re lube.

If ever there was an argument for sticking with copper head gaskets then this is it!

Clearly an old composite one here and no way will it separate so out with the hacksaw. Followed by wallpaper stripping tool brayed in all around.


An hours graft later

I maybe wrong but your magneto appears to be ten years older than the engine, dated 240, the RS1 was used from 1937, but I cant find if it was later updated to another type, at the moment.
Was there any shims under the magneto as thats how you take the slack out of the chain.

Maryalice

Yes there are three shims but the old chain is badly worn and a brand new one was less than £9 delivered. The sprockets seem to be excellent.

A lot more disassembly today and very dirty hands, becoming like ground hog day! I've just ordered barrier cream and tufanega
So far apart from some studs that need replacing all the important stuff is as good as I could hope for. The oil of course was a mess and all sorts of pieces of metal that had been dropped in there over the years  

I'm only posting pictures of refurbished parts here on as and when reassembly starts. The block is now off that trolley and that is for sale for those that like iron wheels.

I bought Paragon spray paint very early this year when it was too cold to use but the recent weather is fantastic. Two coats applied within 30 mins is a finished job but I know this stuff takes forever to fully cure and parts won't be touched for a few days.



I'll be building a new trolley soon to start the rebuild from the bottom up.

Batting away at it most of the day despite 32 degrees





I found that in the yellow book he dismantles far more than is necessary even for painting. Driving out taper pins is a ridiculous concept when parts don't need replacing.

So the regulator got just what it needed doing without being invasive






The crankshaft assembly is pulled out just to facilitate cleaning and painting, the bearings are fine.

The longer Paragon enamel can be left untouched the harder and more resilient it is.


I was asked on Facebook how long does my primer need to dry before a top coat.

The specification of RX-90 says 1 hr
Here is a sample after 1 hr


I'm pretty sure this primer isn't porous like the Halfords primers! its specifically anti corrosive and I've left an A1 flywheel outside since December and not a jot of rust on it, just the rain stains.




RX-90 Red Oxide Anti-Rust Primer is a fast drying protective coating for use on all metal surfaces.
The modified alkyd resin binder and anti-corrosion pigments present protect against rust and provide an additional anti-corrosion layer for subsequent topcoats.
RX-90 exhibits strong adhesion on degreased, bare metal surfaces and is paintable with all one-component paints after 1 hour.
RX-90 can be welded through.

Key Features

Protective anti-corrosion coating with zinc complexes to withstand harsh outdoor conditions
Primer for ferrous metals such as bare steel and iron surfaces
Excellent adhesion to rusty surfaces
Fast drying
Can be welded through

I did a lot today by starting before 8 a.m. The trolley is almost there, I want to maintain my normal axle width but the lister trolley is only 185mm centres so a friend is making axle spacers for me.
The crankcase is fully stripped now and awaiting my next delivery of paint.
I've never seen anyone flash their bottom before.
The Lister DH








Won't be long before assembly starts.


Yorkshire show tomorrow for us