Lister A transport by car

I'm new to the "engine world" and am thinking of purchasing a Lister A stationary engine to restore. The only means of transport that I have is a VW Polo. You will all probably think I am mad but is it feasible to use the car to collect the engine if I remove the hopper as someone has suggested. If so, what is involved in removing the hopper? Thanks

It may fit with the hopper removed, weight might be an issue though...

Thanks Matt. The seller has told me that it's three bolts and some linkage to remove the hopper so providing the bolts are not seized it should be fairly easy. Having the hopper removed means that I can distribute the weight in the car a little better as well.

You'd better have some serious anchors because the hopper is a hefty lump to have rolling around and the base including the flywheels will be just as heavy, I doubt the bits will fit behind the rear seat either so you will have to lower the rear seat increasing the risk.
Ask a friend with a trailer to fetch it, I have two A's one hopper cooled and one tank cooled plus a hopper cooled B type and the last thing I would consider is what your suggesting.

Maryalice

Thanks Mary Alice. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a trailer. Would you be able to let me know the dimensions of the engine (fully assembled) to give me an idea of the "bulk" so that I can re-assess? Thanks

Will check in the next hour

I've just measured my Lister B, the A and B use roughly the same bottoms, the A flywheels are narrower but similar dia of 22", total height roughly 36" and 28" roughly length of crankshaft, where in UK are you.

Thanks for that. I am in Kent but the engine is in Lincolnshire.

If you had been in Bedfordshire I could have helped

I brought a Lister B home in the back of a Mk1 Fiesta once, trip was about 60 miles and was fine.

You would

I’d suggest a trailer is the way to go or borrow/ hire a van. An emergency stop with that sort of mass in the back of a car is going to lead to a very nasty accident.

[quote="maryalice"]You would [/quote]

And a Lister D pump set trolly in the back of the same car!

Best was an Alfa-Laval vac pump on steel base on the front of a trade bike, I was a lot younger then.......

I'm glad you added the last bit, I picked a complete Lister A, minus it's flywheels, off my bench and put it on its trolley that was because I was younger also, lately my body is having enough bother moving itself around

[quote="maryalice"]I'm glad you added the last bit, I picked a complete Lister A, minus it's flywheels, off my bench and put it on its trolley that was because I was younger also, lately my body is having enough bother moving itself around [/quote]

Hmmm yeah, now getting over covid and find myself totally worn out by around 2.30/3.00 most days, not nice. Seems to take longer these days....

You could consider hiring a small van, or even delivery by pallet courier.

So, I did end up purchasing the engine (Lister A) but it requires a handle. I've seen one for sale (photo attached) which is being advertised as suitable for a Lister/Petter with a 1.5" shaft which I believe the Lister A has. Am I reasonably safe to purchase this as a fit for the machine do you think? Thanks

If your certain of the size of the crankshaft then yes as you can reverse the side you start it from with that handle.
Maryalice

p.s, have you worked out how to get it home yet.

I have asked the seller about the crankshaft size but not heard back from him yet!
I won't be collecting for a few weeks but (and I know that you will think I am daft!) but will probably collect by car (the seller has offered to do a strip down).
I already have a number of questions related to the engine and I am sure that there will be many more along the way so probably best if I start a new post with a more relevant subject title I think.

craig kelly wrote: ......will probably collect by car (the seller has offered to do a strip down).
.

Ask your seller to take photos as he does the strip down for you, that way you will know where everything goes back on the engine.

So, common sense prevailed and I decided to hire a van to get the Lister A home! In order to make the expense of the van a little more palatable, I decided to get another couple of engines (Lister Ds) and a shed (like you do!). Here they are all lined up. I have a question on the Lister Ds which I will post in the Restoration section.