First attempt project

Having just reconditioned my BMC 1.5 diesel for my narrowboat I decided that it would be nice to punish myself further, and always having been fascinated by stationarys I have purchased a Lister 18D2T which I have dated at 1937 and a Petter A1 which was a standy by in a milking parlour from at least 1949. Number 592392 if anyone can date it!
The Lister turns freely, so the heads off to reveal a stuck valve for starters and what looks like a newish +60 piston, so it's done some work in the past I guess. Everything else seems to be present except the exhaust which I believe can be bought easily from the bay!!

The Petter was turning up to a couple of years ago but is now seized. Again the heads off to reveal another stuck valve. Looks like I'll have fun removing the flywheel. Of course in my enthusiasm, forgot to take the before photo's but I've taken some now, so I'll post them when I get the knack of it.

Bye for now

Dave

Good luck with al your projects, if you have a problem just post it on here some one will help
Jonesey

Dave I might be wrong but I think the Petter dates from about 1948-49 series II. Paul might be able to help you better as he's more up on the Petter engine range. If you could put some pictures on so we could have a look at it we may be able to help more, also put some up of the Lister and the BMC as we like looking at pics and we'll see if we can give you some more info on them, and a pic of the engine plates so we can see all the details.
Good luck with the restoration I'm sure you'll be happy once your finished. What are your plans with them, paint and show or just get them running for now. New exhausts can be got from ebay for around £15 but Mike on here has just got a few D's and some parts so may be worth asking him, (he's not around at the minute as he's not feeling to well, so give him a few days).

Stu.

How to post a pic, myself I like the photobucket way as I find it easier, but if you get stuck any of the admin will do there best to help.

http://www.stationaryengineforum.net/t2492-step-by-step-photo-upload

Hello, thanks for your replies. I'll put some pics up soon. Stu.... The date for the Petter seems in keeping with the info I had...i.e. that it was seen in the dairy in 1949 as a backup. I ve been cleaning the Lister top end parts up today. The valves need regrinding and the seats recut but there was very little carbon in the head. There's a crack in the water jacket, so it gone off for a cast welding repair. It has a domed piston for petrol use, but has the two way tap and the small extra tank as if it had been used for paraffin at some point, but I'll probably just use it with petrol. Do they run OK with modern unleaded fuel? Been called for me tea...put the pics up after

Dave

Heres a few pics of the latest and the last before and after

Try again Dave !!




That's better.....couldn't find the before BMC !! but it's ready to go back in now

Dave it's deferentially worth keeping it petrol/paraffin the small tank is for the petrol, once the engine is warm turn it over on to paraffin, only down side most engines that run on paraffin like some kind of load to make them work harder. Looks as if you've got plenty to keep you busy for a few weeks.
The BMC looks very smart, great job Dave.

Stu.

Thanks Stu... it took a long time, and I'm glad it's finished now. I will keep the dual fuel then, I was going to drive some sort of generating equipment off it any way, or a water pump. I've a spare Jabsco on the boat so I could utilise that.

Dave

defentlly got your work cut out there buddy

The Listers coming on...bits cleaned and painted and all that. Still having fun with the flywheel, but am in the process of making a suitable puller. Anyone know where to get suitable trolley wheels from?

Dave

hi Dave..
i had an Austin Cambridge years ago with an 1500 bmc diesel in it..very reliable engine..
good luck with you new project..keep us all posted mate..
regards,mike...

Thanks Mike,

Yes very reliable but also very temperamental!! Everything has to be set up perfect!!

Dave

Dave places to try and get some wheels are, ebay, steam rallies look around the flea market type stalls (don't forget to look under the stall and in trailers) with them being big n heavy that's where they get put. Also try farm auctions put an ad in the forum wanted section. If your desperate you could put plastic/nylon wheels on for now (look at link to give you the idea). This type of wheel you might be able to find some local, places like Machine Mart sell them. Just paint them same colour as the engine and they don't look to bad.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trolley-Wheels-150mm-6-/230630447015?pt=UK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment&hash=item35b2a557a7

Stu.

HI DAVE....
STU's spot on Dave,the prices are on the increase .....
the cast iron wheels look nice when painted.....
eBay has a large selection of them,but it all depends what type of wheel you are looking for....
good luck with your search,and keep us posted on the progress..
regards,mike...

Thanks for the info Stu and Mike....I'll keep searching....hit my first real problem today, I made a gib key puller, but the key had been abused so much it pulled the head off....so its a drill out job I think . Funnily enough, the Petter gib key came off no problems and that was the one I was expecting problems with. The Petter piston is siezed solid in the bore so I had to disconnect the con rod in situ which was a bit fiddly. So its less of a big lump now!!

Cheers for now

Dave

Dave it might have been better to split the threads to the Lister and Petter as were getting old and confuse easy

The Petter, have you tried putting diesel or WD40 down the bore and let it soak for a few days, then just trying to tap it with a lump of wood. Even if it's just a few mm's to start with it all helps just to break the rust seal.

Can you not get a thin chisel behind the gib key, I did see some pics of it being done that way but can't find them now. You could also take the crank out with the flywheel still attached and put it in a vice if that's easier for you. Same again try and soak the gib key in WD40 and a little heat before trying again. You can get WD40 for about £25 a gallon it's cheaper then buying the small spray cans.

Stu.

Hi Dave,

I have a few questions for you,

Do you have a pic of the manufactures plate?
Is it made of brass or Aluminium?
What kind of Mag is on it?

It would make it easier to date or direct you in the right direction.

Paul

welldone Dave,keep up the good work and before long it will be up and running..
keep us posted mate on the progress..
regards,mike..

Hi all,

Hopefully I'll get the photos up first time this time....The plate reads Number...592392, Series A1, 1 and1/2 HP @ 750RPM. The plate is made of brass. The Mag is a Series A Wico

Does this help Rab?

I'm off work this weeks so some more progress tomorrow and Friday

Thanks Dave,

Will get back to you as soon as possable.

Paul

Hi Dave,

The engine you have is a Petter A1 series 2 as has been said in previous posts, and is dated between 1947 - 1949.

For a definative answer to your engine dating post a letter to with a SAE to :-

Keith Ott
80 Hobb Lane
Hedge End
Southampton
SO3 4GP

He can tell the exact date and who it was first supplied to, Hes a busy guy so you may have to wait a week or two.

Best of luck with the restoration dave keep us up to date with the procedings.

Paul