Lister D Compressed Air Engine

[cfellows]

My Bessemer Oil Field engine is taking a lot of design time and not affording me much shop time.  At the moment, I'm waiting on a 1/16" NPT tap and die set, so I decided to start on another engine that would let me make some chips while I'm not able to work on the Bessemer.

This is a compressed air powered engine, 3/4" bore and 3/4" stroke.  It will be as close to lookin like a Lister D engine as I can get.  I've always had a fondness for the Lister D because of it's simple, utilitarian design.  It will be a 4 stroke engine and will use my slave exhaust valve with a cam actuated inlet valve.  Here is a picture of a full size model which has a 3" bore and 3" stoke.



Here are some pictures of the block that I've started...







The block is made from 2" square aluminum bar stock and is about 3.625" tall.  It will have some further shaping done on the outside once I finish all the internal machine work.

Chuck

[zeeprogrammer]

I'll be watching this one too Chuck. Looks very interesting.

[steamer]

I like it Chuck!
Im following along!

Dave

[AussieJimG]

This looks like another of your interesting projects Chuck, I will be following along.

Jim

[Jo]

I will be watching with interest.

I have one of the big brothers to the D, a TVO engine sitting in the stable with a very pretty sludge pump with over head rocking arms attached .

Jo

[Jasonb]

I'll also be interested to watch this one evolve. Several times I have considered making one as the rectangular shape is a good starting point but it would have been IC. Maybe if I sent Jo down the garden with a tape measure things would be easier

J

[Jo]

Jason: I think that you might find my TVO engine a little bigger than the D although the designs are very similar the carboration arrangement on the TVO has two fuel tanks which other than the physical size is the only indication on the outside to the difference. Tell you what Jason I will generously let you bring your own tape measure and I will even let you hold the HT lead   when I turn her over, just to make sure the mag is still working 

Chuck: If you want something for yours to drive the sludge pump on mine is not a bad choice. The crank is dog clutched on to a nice little gear box with skew bevels in it (you could get away with normal bevels which are easy to cut) and then it has all the advantages of a rocking beam to watch, without the hassle of having to fire up a boiler and then you can dump the feed pipe into a can of water and have water moving around as an added attraction .

Jo

[IanR]

Some Ds were built as petrol/paraffin engines, a friend of mine has one. What air pressure are you planning to run at to make the cooling water steam?

[wlb]

I am another one watching as my first stationary engine was a Lister "D" I now Have a Hartop "M" type but it will be going in the new year and stick to the small ones

[arnoldb]

Nice one Chuck 

The D's are quite plentiful here in Namibia and in constant use by farmers; mainly for driving water pumps.  I've spent my share of time cranking the handles on some to get them started...  Sometimes to the accompaniment of "not-so-nice" words.  They can be buggers to start, but when they run they're rock solid dependable.

Kind regards, Arnold

[Jo]

I have just been looking through my library and found a few books on the original Lister D:

1, "The History and development of the Lister D Type".  by David Edgington.

2, Technical Specification and Data Booklet: Overhauling Lister D & DK Type engines. by Lister & Co Ltd.

3, Instruction and Spare Parts List: Lister Types D & DK Petrol and Vapouring Oil Engines. By Lister & Co Ltd

So if you have any queries I will see if they can provide the answers.

Jo

[Jo]

This is the engine and pump set I have... it is looking for a new home

Jo

[steamer]

Just pop that into the Royal Mail dear and send it to me...I'll take good care of her!

I Have a Wisconson AKS that is in need of a restoration along with a Fitzhenry Guptal Forest fire pump that needs a restoration.....plenty to do.....

Dave
 

[cfellows]

Got a little more done over the past couple of days.  The kids and grand kids are staying with us for a few weeks and I don't have as much time in the shop.

I finished the crankshaft and the crank bearing block.  The bearing block is made from cast iron and the crankshaft is all turned from a single piece of 1 inch diameter 12L14 steel.  Got a nice fit and finish on the crank.  Here's some pics...









Chuck

[zeeprogrammer]

Looks good Chuck.

Kids at home, particularly over holidays, is one of the best reasons to be kept out of the shop.