Old Lister Runs Again
21 December 2015 - A group of engineering apprentices have finished re-building an old Lister diesel engine as part of their training at the NAFC Marine Centre.
The students, who are enrolled on the Centre’s Modern Apprenticeship programme in engineering, have been working on the engine when time permitted over the last 3 months gaining additional hands-on knowledge and experience.
The engine – a Lister HR2 – originally powered a lighthouse generator but when it was withdrawn from service it was ‘rescued’ by Senior Engineering Lecturer Callum Smedley, who was Chief Engineer on the Northern Lighthouse Board’s vessel Pharos at the time. The engine was then donated to NAFC by the Northern Lighthouse Board.
Despite having lain unused for several years the students found the engine to be in remarkably good condition when they stripped it down. The cylinder heads were removed, de-coked and cleaned, and the valves lapped in again. The pistons were also removed, the rings and big end bearings inspected, and the cylinder bores honed. One cylinder was found to be a bit rusty as its exhaust valve had been sitting open, but it cleaned up fine. The original piston rings and bearings were also found to be in good condition and were re-used. The cylinder heads were replaced with new joint rings and shims and other joints and gaskets were renewed as required, and the injectors were inspected and cleaned.
Some work is still required on the engine’s electrical and fuel systems, and paint work, but the students' hard work paid off last week when the engine was successfully started and run for the first time in many years.
The students were assisted in their work on the engine by NAFC Engineering Instructor Colin Hunter and Engineering Lecturer Siobhan Millen.