Lister D

The Lister D is a 1 - 2.5hp stationary engine fuelled by petrol or petrol/paraffin built between 1926-1965 by R A Lister and Company of Dursley. It replaced the Lister H, which was of a similar output. The first Lister D engine, serial number 80,000, was assembled on 26 October 1926. "Lister D Auction"

The engine was a 4-stroke poppet valve engine with a simple centrifugal governing system. It 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.

The engines were made in 1 hp, 1.5 hp, 2 hp and 2.5 hp versions. They were used to power water pumps, generators, cement mixers and much more.

Throughout the years of production, the design of 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. The engines were originally painted mid Brunswick green, but some World War II engines were painted in olive drab. A paraffin-fuelled engine was available, called the Lister DK. It had two tanks: one for paraffin and one for petrol. This 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 anti-clockwise engines were produced. They were very sturdy, reliable engines, but 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 and the short-lived Fowler P series

It is popular with newcomers to the stationary engine hobby; un-restored examples are available for as little as £25; plenty of spares and various re-manufactured parts and decals are available.