I have taken it apart!!

I have recently found a lister D. Paid the farmer the princely sum of £65 on Ebay drove all the way to Boston in Lincolnshire from Sheffield to collect it. The farmers comment after he had loaded it with his tractor into the back of the van, "Can't believe you have come so far and paid so much for this pile of Scrap". Anyway I have now taken it to pieces cleaned all the chicken shite and farmyard muck of it and can't find any reason that it shouldn't run. The bore is good no play on the piston a very small ridge . big end and small end seem fine I have had the Carb apart and cleaned and reassembled. The valves will need a little grind, The Magneto seems to give a good spark. I have taken the governor and the cam starting handle unit off the side of the engine to clean the sump out. So now a couple of questions When I put the starting handle cam shaft unit back am I correct in assuming that the flywheel should be at TDC and the cam positioned so both valves would be closed? what are the valve clearances? When I took it apart there was no clearance on the inlet valve. After some research I have worked out it was manufactured in 1957. Engine number 4117 DH7 1.5HP is this correct? Sorry for the long post and thank you for allowing me to join the Forum

Welcome along! Sounds like you got a bargain despite the farmer's comments.

I'm sure one the Lister D experts on here will soon have you sorted.

Thank you. New head Gasket arrives tomorrow so re assembly will start tomorrow evening, Another question were the engines painted before or after assembly in the factory? Now that everything is clean I think that it would look good left just the way it is perhaps with a clear coat of something on it similar to the way we treat antique furniture where the look of cared for age is better than brand new? Being new to this it would be interesting to know what the best approach is.

Hi and a warm welcome to the forum.

Post a few pictures in New Projects/Restorations when you are able.
I'm in two (at least) minds about renovation versus restoration - sometimes the 'oily rag' finish is the way to go. Your choice either way.
Good luck.

Welcome aboard from another Lister D owner.

Welcome, and to answer your question Spec DH7 is indeed 1957.

Valve timing; lobe on camshaft pointing vertically with both rockers closed and trailing shaft fork vertical as well. Tappet clearance; ten thou will be fine.

Pete.

Thank you for the information I would love to post some pictures can someone tell me in simple terms (60 Years Old) how to post pictures!!!!!!?????

Now you have cleaned the crap off give it a wipe down with a oily rag engines look good in their working clothes,and welcome to the forum.
Regards,
Chiefy.

Thank you Chiefy my thoughts as well, why make it look new. I am going to build a trolly using the original timber mounts from the farm hopefully find some period wheels.How do i go about joining a group where I can display my .

Shane