sparrowcycles

I will certainly do that!!.. And if I come by mike the boilerman dont worry I will keep my mouth shut.. : ) Phew.. thanks for that, She starts well in the mornings right now but I will definitely use those de-compressors in the winter! Im looking forward to the journey, still i might pay for cover by river canal rescue, dont want to be stuck somewhere isolated with a simple problem and no part. have any of you had experience with them? ..s

Hi there and thanks to everyone who helped give advice for my engine rebuild! Here is an update.. Having honed the cylinders and re-ground the exhaust valves, replaced all gaskets, flushed the hydraulic box a thousand times, fitted an agglomerator, reconditioned the starter and found a hokey old alternator to fit.. The beast runs! Even with the old diesel left in the pipes and no tank connected she started first turn (and left a massive air bleed issue thereafter) but I did do that frenzied happy success dance, mug of cider in hand!! That very day we reinacted her last voyage (the one she broke down on nearly a decade ago) to the pub downstream (on the kennet and avon) and she even made it back again. another few days of electrics and tinkering and im glad to say she even passed her BSS certificate test and has running hot water, switching lights and a stereo. and yes, you all guessed it, there are still more questions.. I could only get SAE 30 oil.. I know thats for hotter climates so Im wondering will it hurt the old engine bearing in mind she has about 3-4 weeks continuous journeying ahead of her? and finally, I will be starting up the kennet and avon in a couple of weeks, then up the thames a bit, the coventry canal (id like to visit charity dock) and onwards to the leeds and liverpool ... Is there anywhere especially recommended to stop in, particularly good pubs or interesting derelict places being high on the list but a good, affordable dry dock to do the blacking in and get a survey also right up there.. many many thanks to you all ..s

Yes it is, I hadnt even thought of it until I bought Silflay.. I personally would like to know her original name if possible, maybe even more than the maker, that idea of restoring somethings original character is quite beguiling. I had researched the name and am interested by its strange heritage but I must say I feel very little connection to it.. I have friends with a recently bought boat with a name based on a greek opera but being in a ska band the reference becomes meaningless for them.. Interesting too that we often seem to want the name (as well as the rest of the boat) to embody a certain amount of our character (imagined or otherwise).. I guess we cant help but leave our mark. Monkey 1 are you able to send me a pic of your boat? I have searched seamus walsh on google but come up with no images to see.. I did find similar shots labeled as coles marine, wyvek, and even this one that looks similar but has no name.. the search continues.. I shall get the definite registration number asap, as for the rest Its 50ft, lister sr3 (27? hp).. I have been through Jim sheads site to no avail.. thanks folks!! ..s opps here that photo is..

thanks everyone. Its on the Kennet and Avon near Keynsham and seems just before CRT authority so maybe it isnt on a database at all. Yes I checked the floor, it has blue brick ballast with marine ply on top, just over 2 inches but it cant go any lower than that so I guess it wasnt a wet bilge. fingers crossed for some lead to go on! thanks again!! s

Hello there, Thanks to all who helped with my other two posts regarding the rebuild of my first narrowboat, Silflay. The engine is all back together now thanks to everyones good advice.. My new mission is to find out who made her! Silflay is a mid seventies 50 ft cruiser stern with a similar age lister sr3. her registration number is something like (i dont have it here, its on the boat) 46959 but I have checked on Jim sheads site to no avail.. If I can work out how to post an image or two could I please ask you wise folk to cast an eye over them to see if you can see any signs of who may have made her.. I am prepared to think she was privately built because she does have a low ceiling height that seems odd for a company built boat. any help at all will be gratefully received.. thanks.. s

Ahh I see.. thanks for the advice Giant.. Im going back next weekend.. solder now in the tool kit. s

Im hoping these images come out ok.. One of the wet engine and another of the prow.. I still do not know who the maker is, if anyone knows I would be really grateful.. alan_fincher many thanks, i havent tried marine services, I was trying to buy near bristol as I was in that area but I shall call him tomorrow for sure..

Hi folks.. Here is a small update on the journey so far.. To make a long long story short... Water had been getting into the exhaust, onto the exhaust valves and piston tops but not any further. We removed the heads, pistons, valves, re-ground with paste, honed the bores and cleaned everything and took it back to the boat. the bottom end looks great but it was still hard to hand turn over.. found the gearbox was full of emulsified sludge.. drained that and flushed it with diesel before turning it over again by hand until it freed up completely.. At this point we could turn it well and see the push rods moving well, and the injector pipes spurting little jets at the right time so i felt good at least about that.. however the fan shroud was full of water too.. it was sloshing from the starter motor hole!.. I think I found drain plug but barely any water came out even with agitation with a wire up the hole.. After that we drained the old engine oil, greased the block and poured new oil on the bearings and journals/oilways in prep for me going back in a week.. Wise people of the forums can I ask some advice again please? What is the best way to flush and test the hydraulic gearbox? id love it if I didnt have to remove it.. How to drain the fan shroud? how would all that water get in there, or the gearbox.. does it suggest something to one more experienced than myself? If I have ground the exhaust valves alot will I need to lose one of the thin shim head gaskets? Is there a way to know how many to use? And on that note..Does anyone know of a full sr3 gasket set going anywhere? all the suppliers seem sold out.. I could get a 1 and 2 decoke set but would like to do the side door seals too.. Thank you all for your time again!! all the best

Brilliant, thanks Richard.. I am used to motorcycle engines that use plenty of special tools as well as being annoyingly complex to take apart.. I am looking forward to this one.. I will keep everyone informed.. thanks again.. steve

Thank you! it really does help me to have it spelled out so clearly.. I will be trying that for sure as soon as I get to go down there. I have quite a few tools in the workshop and can source plenty more before I go for the re-build mission.. My question now (apologies) is Does the SR3 need any special tools (pullers, compressors etc) or is it pretty much simple tools only that will be needed for this non-engine-out sort of work? RLWP.. thanks again that summary will be very useful.. s Lets hope for some running around and punching the air !

Managed to slightly work out how to put up a picture.. here she is in her glory.

Thanks everyone for your replies! Im not sure how to quote from above so I will reply as best I can.. The bilge has an inch of water that the solar/ battery operated pump cant quite get out, but definitely not half submerged, though the moisture in the air has rusted some of the casings and im sure got into the air filter. I am certain too that it was not laid up at all, I am imagining stale watery diesel in the tank, old cold oil in the sump and in my worrying moments I wonder if condensation could get into the bores at all? Is the way to check the injectors simply to listen to them? If they are blocked they do not creak? Ok so my list to start with is to 1. turn the decompresors and see if I can turn the engine by hand easily (if it doesnt would that mean taking the head off to look at the barrels?) 2. replace the oil, filters and drain water traps 3. Turn her over by hand until I see oil at the rockers 3. Try turning her over on the battery... does that seem ok? Thanks again!!

Hi there, I am a new member who has recently purchased a 50ft cruiser stern project boat of unknown maker on the Kennet and Avon canal near Keynsham. The boat is fitted with a 1975 Lister SR3 which apparently hasnt been run for 7 years, The engine (apparently) turned with a bar turning the flywheel when a mechanic viewed it recently. My question to you wise folk is simply to ask what things it might be best to look out for when re-commissioning this engine, any tips to loosen certain parts, gaskets I might need etc.. To clarify, I live in Liverpool and wont get to start this work until the 16th Feb, I am hoping to use this time to gain information and find out if I need any special tools to take alongside my own car full!! And also to see if there are any friendly folk near by Keynsham who I might be able to call in on and ask advice should things go awry. Thanks in advance, I know its an awfully general question but I find it best to gather as much knowledge on a subject if possible and this forum is exceptional at that! Steven Gent