[SEL] Lister GK2

[Jerry Evans]

At 06:00 PM 02/08/2009, you wrote:
>Message: 8
>Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 21:17:50 +1000
>From: "Domeney Brothers" <dombros2 at clearmail.com.au>
>Subject: [SEL] Lister GK2
>To: <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
>
>Hello all
>The discussion on "List Maners" (Manners?) and "lurkers" prompts me to 
>come out of lurking and join in.
>
>I haven't had much to say since joining because most of the time the 
>topics are either about engines of which I know nothing (that's a lot!) or 
>semi personal and club talk - travelling, who's doing this at the weekend, 
>did you see that there? etc.
>
>However, my conscience is pricked by the comment that forums work well 
>when more members join in, so here I am (again).
>
>I have acquired a Lister GK2, but Patrick Knight in his book  A-Z of Brit 
>Stationary Engines states that these were based on US LeRoy engines. Can 
>anyone tell me anything of the LeRoy, please?
>
>I imagine this Lister was built prior to WWII, as it has a reconditioners 
>plate advising that it was rebuilt in January 1950.
>
>The internal oil flow is interesting. No crankshaft oilways to the big 
>ends, but channels cast around the wall at the base of the block, taking 
>oil from the oil pump to two webs spanning the sump. (the oil pan?) These 
>webs also have channels on the top surface, and dippers on each con rod 
>bearing cap pick up oil from the channels.
>
>It means that oil is kept supplied to the big ends even when the oil level 
>in the sump is way way down. Or being a marine engine, when the engine is 
>at extreme angles in a heavy sea. Very clever!
>
>Anyway, in the interests of generating discussion I would like to know a 
>bit more about LeRoy.
>
>With thanks in advance,
>
>Teddee.
>PS Apologies to US readers- I don't know all the terms you use for engine 
>parts.

Hi Tedee,
         Thanks for joining in. Yes, the Lister G1 and G2 were built by 
Lister under licence from the Le Roi Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 
and are to all intents and puposes identical. (The "K" in yours indicates 
that it was set up to run on Kerosene (Power Paraffin to us in South Africa 
- not sure what you called it in Aus)
         The GK2 had a bore x stroke of 3 3/8" x 4 1/2" and produced 4 3/4 
H.P. @ 700 RPM on kero up to 12 HP @ 1500 RPM on petrol with almost 
infinite variables between (depending on speed.)
         They came in various configurations - radiator cooled, tank 
cooled, gearboxes and sometimes in an enclosure etc.
         I had a Le Roi twin (see it on Rick's website I think - that's 
Richard Strobel - Rick in Montana) until recently when I gave it to a mate 
of mine who really likes twins - I've got more than enough other engines 
waiting for attention and it was better off with him. To the best of my 
knowledge it was the only Le Roi twin left in South Africa - they were 
popular here as the engine on certain borehole drilling rigs.
         I did a lot of searching on the net for info and although there 
are a number of Le Roi's (mostly on Rick's site) I did not find any which 
looked like mine but mine did look pretty identical to the Lister G2.
         The plate on mine stated 3 1/2" x 2 7/8" (bore x stroke) and gave 
the Model No. as VRP1 with Serial No. 238408. There was no reference to 
Horsepower. (Lister GK2 manual states a bore of 3 3/8" and stroke of 4 1/2" 
and   - Lister must have increased the stroke and decreased the bore. 
Comments anyone ?
         So there you go Tedee, that's the sum total of my knowledge about 
Le Roi twin engines.
         I have a Lister G1 & G2 manual which I downloaded from Paul Evans' 
"Internal Fire" site and could supply you with a copy but I'd prefer it if 
you logged on to "Internal Fire" and paid the few bucks necessary (all to a 
good cause) and downloaded it direct.
         Once again, thanks for joining in - that's what makes the lists 
interesting and worthwhile.

P.S. You do not have to apologise to the Yanks - they're not really that 
stupid :-) (This with reference to a big "Faux Pas" I made last year - they 
know what I'm talking about !!)
<big smile>.

Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>