[SEL] Ruston & Hornsby 1ZHR Running

Sun May 9 11:37:06 PDT 2010

Hi Peter,
         From your post and going to the links, I spent a good 5 hours or 
so (that I could ill afford) this morning reading about your engine. I 
somehow managed to get onto the English forum where you have an almost "day 
to day running commentary" on your work on the engine (last updated this 
morning!!). (Why not post the link to our lists also - it will really be 
enjoyed). Even some pics taken quite a few years ago by Arnie on one of his 
(yet to be completed) webpage series of Yankee trips England (sorry Arnie, 
I just could not resist that comment).)

         All I can say is "Wow, well done!" That engine is looking good and 
the trouble you have gone to is a credit to your workmanship and attention 
to detail. The "electrics" are also a credit to your knowledge in that field.

         I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the "trials and tribulations" 
that you have been through on this restoration.

         Apart from really enjoying reading about your work, my interest 
also stems from the fact that my brother (who is NOT AN ENGINE COLLECTOR) 
also owns one of these engines. Information from Ray: "Ruston 1HR 247588, 
rated 5.5hp @ 550rpm, was sold to agents Hubert Davies & Co. Ltd, London - 
and was despatched to Port Elizabeth on 9.7.1947" This engine is not 
identical to yours (yours having a "ZHR" designation and this one just 
being an "HR" - many differences).

         There is a story and explanation to this. I will try to be as 
brief as possible (very difficult for me).

         Since I started in this hobby (madness ??) in about 1994/5 my 
elder "bro" has taken a great interest (his background is the same as 
mine). Well, perchance, about 2 years back he came across this engine and 
bought it (great pangs of jealousy from me and other collectors)! A 
"Wolseley WD9" would have satisfied his "need". He got this one at a 
bargain price (there are a few missing parts) from someone emigrating to 
Aus who was totally disconnected from the "collectors fraternity". It was a 
real bargain - scrappie price. Briefly, most local collectors would have 
paid many more "bucks" for this engine. (We have very few size 1 Ruston" 
engines in South Africa).

         I's actually "criminal" all he wanted was something that went 
"Boof-boof" (like I said, a Wolseley WD would have been fine and satisfied 
his craving) yet he found this very desirable engine at a bargain price.

         Anyway, I know my "bro" his interests are shortlived (but it's 
been 2 years so far)and the engine is still as found. No progress towards 
getting it going or restoration. At some time in the future he WILL realise 
that he is not interested in the engine (or his interest has waned)- that's 
when it will become MINE !!!!

         Currently he has a growing interest in "Stirling" engines (and I'm 
doing my best to nurture and encourage that interest :-)) - and get his 
mind off Ruston horizontal diesels. It will happen !!!!!!!!!!!!

         There is a lot more to the story but I promised to try and be 
brief. :-(.

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>

P.S. I know that family is important but engines like this are "More 
Important" :-). I'm not trying to "steal" it (as other brothers on these 
lists may do - no names will be mentioned). I'm just waiting for his 
interest to "wane sufficiently" :-)

P.P.S.  I have not forwarded him all the e-mails from other collectors 
begging to buy the engine. He runs his own business and, it's best not to 
disturb him and take his mind off his business.(Silence is a virtue, et al.).

P.P.S. - Hi Steve and Mike - I luv ya both!

At 06:00 PM 09/05/2010, you wrote:
>Message: 2
>Date: Sat, 8 May 2010 19:34:48 +0100
>From: Listerdiesel <listerdiesel at gmail.com>
>Subject: Re: [SEL] Ruston & Hornsby 1ZHR Running
>To: stationary-engine at oldengine.org
>Cc: The SEL email discussion list <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
>Message-ID:
>         <AANLkTin8QlOWi91vOK_IhTu7J8gdQy16KgE2iLL6TK5y at mail.gmail.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
>On 8 May 2010 19:01, Arnie Fero <fero_ah at city-net.com> wrote:
> > Peter,
> >
> > The Ruston is looking SWEET!!
> > Are you taking it to Nuenen this year?
> >
> > See ya, ?Arnie
>
>Yes, we will have it there.
>
>Have been balancing the flywheels yesterday and today,  cast two
>weights, 400g each (about half a pound) out of lead and attached them
>to the flywheels. We then intend to further balance the engine when it
>is running, hopefully tomorrow.
>
>The latest pictures (images only, no comments) are here:
>
>http://www.stationary-engine.net/Forum/Images/Uploaded/RustonPics01.jpg
>
>through
>
>http://www.stationary-engine.net/Forum/Images/Uploaded/RustonPics121.jpg
>
>The Forum thread is here:
>
>http://www.stationary-engine.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7229
>
>Will you be at Nuenen, perchance?
>
>Peter
>--
>Peter A Forbes
>Email: listerdiesel at gmail.com
>http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel
>http://stationary-engine.co.uk
>http://www.oldengine.co.uk