Finally got round to getting the Lister Diesel sorted.
Its a Lister LT1.
AFAIK, it produces 7.5hp @ 3,000 rpm continuous (8.3hp intermittent)
its a 408cc single cylinder air cooled DI diesel with compression ratio of 16.4:1
Got it as it had absolutely no compression.
Took the engine apart, as I wanted to check the piston rings.
They turned out OK (worn, but work)
Then my attention turned to the valves.
The exhaust valve wasn't sealing at all.
Took both valves out and reground them in, and yippee, compression .
Put it all back together, put a drop of oil in the start assist plunger, and cranked it over...
And was gladly rewarded with a nice blue puff of smoke and a pop
So pipe up a fuel tank, and it runs (loud though as the exhaust manifold piece is broken, so basically its a very short exhaust
Will solve that though.
Will run it a bit more (with the proper/better tank, read my question below)
Might need to get new rings and gasket set for it.
Reason being, is when you crank it over, with the decompressor engaged, I have to flick it off and then put some strength behind the swing and turn it through a compression stroke with no decompression...
Good thing I am a big strong lad
I want to ask a question though.
The standard fuel line for the engine is generic, fit ride on mowers, motorbikes, etc...
The only fuel tank I had to hand was a small one of an old JAP strimmer engine, which the fuel output stub is considerably smaller.
I had to use a short length of 6mm (I think) airline on the stub and then push that into the fuel tubing for the diesel.
The engine backfired most of the time it was running.
Do you think its down to the smaller pipe not flowing enough fuel?
I havent ever had to down size pipe before, its just I need to really clean out the standard tank
Once I have managed to clean out the old tank (its got leaves in it!!!), I will fit that and run the engine again.
If its all ok, and runs smoothly, I will play around with a few bits on it (Its an internal plunger fuel pump with a simple stop/on/start lever), but there is a what appears to be an engine speed adjustment lever (its a fixed speed engine), so I will wind the adjuster screws out and then see if it works as a throttle (it should).
If I can have a basic throttle setup, I will fit new pushrod seals, new base and head and rocker cover gaskets, and new piston rings to give the engine a new leash of life.
Then it will go in a motorbike
Currently its temporarily mounted to the front of an old ride on mower (Its all I had to quickly bolt it too something )
Lister Diesel
Moderators: Dan J, Diesel Dave, Crazymanneil, Stuart
Re: Lister Diesel
Quick update.
Found out, according to Lister Petter, the build number on mine corresponds with a 1500rpm engine
The thing is, as far as I can find out, I would just need to change the camshaft and the governor weights...
and then mine is a 3000rpm engine
Found out, according to Lister Petter, the build number on mine corresponds with a 1500rpm engine
The thing is, as far as I can find out, I would just need to change the camshaft and the governor weights...
and then mine is a 3000rpm engine
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- I luv the smell of Diesel...
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Re: Lister Diesel
I think this is a much better idea than the other thingie you were talking about. Still not enough for highways, but secondary roads should be fine I guess. A bit heavy at 183lbs, it will need a premium subframe to mount it
'92 Enfield + Hatz 1B40: street legal, weld up stainless exhaust, check engine rpm and change final drive sprocket.
Re: Lister Diesel
Highways and Cornwall arent really too much of a problem.
Besides, I think it would be setup as an offroader
Will all depend on whether the engine runs well :S
Mind you, I have got my eye on 2 more engines (already :S)
One is an oldish (max of 20 years I would say) 3 cylinder diesel.
The other (perhaps more interesting ) is a APU jet engine starter...
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- I luv the smell of Diesel...
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Re: Lister Diesel
183lbs + chassis for off-roading... are you looking to build a Tatra
'92 Enfield + Hatz 1B40: street legal, weld up stainless exhaust, check engine rpm and change final drive sprocket.
Re: Lister Diesel
I'm no lightweight myself
I took a honda 650 offroad a few times (Vigor 650)
It was OK, apart from the road tyres
It was alright though...
and if I was building an off roader, it would be the older design like the Enfield scrambler, to keep the weight lower
I do think the diesel would be better for offroading, more bottom end grunt
- coachgeo
- I luv the smell of Diesel...
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- Location: USA Ohio, Above Cincinnati, Close to Dayton
Re: Lister Diesel
use that one to run a genset powered by veg oil. Pump it back into the grid if your power co. is set up to pay folk who produce electricity. You might have to say the power is coming from Solar cells to get the rebate till the get the rules changed. Or wire it to run one window AC to knock the cool lower in your house so your main system does not have to come on as much.
IMHO its not the tyep of engine for a bike.
IMHO its not the tyep of engine for a bike.
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- I luv the smell of Diesel...
- Posts: 976
- Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:45 pm
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Re: Lister Diesel
AC? We're happy if it comes to 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-86F) in summer. Remember, New York is at the same latitude as Madrid, and the northwest of Europe has a completely different climate. Texas will be even warmer I guess.coachgeo wrote:Or wire it to run one window AC to knock the cool lower in your house so your main system does not have to come on as much.
'92 Enfield + Hatz 1B40: street legal, weld up stainless exhaust, check engine rpm and change final drive sprocket.
Re: Lister Diesel
AC is definately not need in Sunny Cornwall
Anyway, I dug out a different fuel tank today, with the correct size tube, and discovered the engine isnt overly healthy :S
The pushrod seals are shot, the rings are worse than I though (pressurising the crankcase a bit), the head gasket I think is leaking slightly, etc.
Working costs out, I think it will cost around £100 to sort it out...
Which I dont think is worth it.
Oh well, I havent given up on a diesel bike yet...
I will sort something out (eventually)...
Anyway, I dug out a different fuel tank today, with the correct size tube, and discovered the engine isnt overly healthy :S
The pushrod seals are shot, the rings are worse than I though (pressurising the crankcase a bit), the head gasket I think is leaking slightly, etc.
Working costs out, I think it will cost around £100 to sort it out...
Which I dont think is worth it.
Oh well, I havent given up on a diesel bike yet...
I will sort something out (eventually)...