Lister D

Lister D

The Lister D is a 1 1/2 hp stationary engine built between 1926-1964 by R A Lister and Company of Dursley. It is popular with newcomers to the stationary engine hobby and can be purchased un-restored for as little as £50.

The engines were used to power water pumps, generators, cement mixers and much more. They had a chain drive ignition magneto, either the Lucas SR1, the Lucas RS1 or a M-l MK1(shaft driven and early chain driven), and an Amal float bowl. In 1911 The engines were made in 1 hp, 1.5 hp, 2 hp and 2.5 hp versions. The engine was a 4 stroke poppet valve engine, and, surprisingly, has overhead valves, instead of side valves and a simple centrifugal governing system.

Sectioned Lister D

Throughout the years of production, the engine changed very little. The fuel tank was moved from halfway up the engine to the top, and the shaft-drive magneto was replaced by a chain-driven unit in the early 1930s. D's were originally painted mid Brunswick green, but some World War II engines were painted in olive drab. A paraffin-fuelled engine was also available, called the Lister DK. It had two separate tanks, one for paraffin, and another for petrol. The engine was started on petrol, but could cut over to paraffin by means of a 3-way tap.

The engine used clockwise rotation as a standard, but some counter-clockwise engines were produced. While they were a very sturdy, reliable engine, they did have a few flaws, one of which was that the water tap poured water over the oil filler. This was easily corrected by the use of a rubber pipe.

The engine in the early days was a rival to the Ruston Hornsby PB, the Bamford EV1, the short-lived Fowler P series, and the Petter A1, and replaced the Lister H, which was of a similar output.