LISTER HB3..anyone else got one?

[Ca Jon]

 

[alan_fincher]

why?

 

It is probably less common than the visual identical HA3, which a lot of us probably have.

 

AFAIK there are very few differences between HA & HB engines, other than the HBs being uprated to produced more power.

 

Others may know different?

[Timleech]

why?

 

It is probably less common than the visual identical HA3, which a lot of us probably have.

 

AFAIK there are very few differences between HA & HB engines, other than the HBs being uprated to produced more power.

 

Others may know different?

 

Exactly the same engine, AFAIAA, except for governor/fuel pump settings.

 

Tim

[Ca Jon]

why?

 

It is probably less common than the visual identical HA3, which a lot of us probably have.

 

AFAIK there are very few differences between HA & HB engines, other than the HBs being uprated to produced more power.

 

Others may know different?

Hi Alan, as to why?.. well we are in the process of buying this boat, and I have no experience with this engine, so any tips on them is going to help..Its been losing oil around the manifolds, and is idling irratic..starts first time from cold though.. The seller is having a lister do a inspection before we complete

Hi Alan, as to why?.. well we are in the process of buying this boat, and I have no experience with this engine, so any tips on them is going to help..Its been losing oil around the manifolds, and is idling irratic..starts first time from cold though.. The seller is having a lister do a inspection before we complete

lister specialist

[alan_fincher]

I see the brokers describe it as a keel cooled engine!

 

Just about up to their usual levels of accuracy!

[Ca Jon]

I see the brokers describe it as a keel cooled engine!

 

Just about up to their usual levels of accuracy!

yes,when I pointed out it was air cooled, he kind of had a glazed blank look in his eye..even so, all work after the survey has been agreed, so we are happy!

[onionbargee]

providing its in good running condition, you have a classic engine that will run for ever and never let you down. The Raised hand start means you can never conk out due to electrical failure, and the air cooling removes a big slice of potential water leaks, plumbing, and risk of freezing, thats half the maintainance gone already. You won't ever need to thrash it at 2000 rpm, theres more than enough power in a HA3 @ 1800 to wash the towpath off.

 

( can you tell i have one ?)

[Ca Jon]

providing its in good running condition, you have a classic engine that will run for ever and never let you down. The Raised hand start means you can never conk out due to electrical failure, and the air cooling removes a big slice of potential water leaks, plumbing, and risk of freezing, thats half the maintainance gone already. You won't ever need to thrash it at 2000 rpm, theres more than enough power in a HA3 @ 1800 to wash the towpath off.

 

( can you tell i have one ?)

Thanks for that, might be picking your brain as soon as we get on board!!!

[alan_fincher]

The Raised hand start means you can never conk out due to electrical failure

 

Yes,

 

But since I learnt that Sickle's HA3 had managed to break the wrists of more than one person, including its previous owner's, I must admit I have got a lot less enthusiastic about hand starting it.

 

Mind you it starts so easily, (either with the decompressor's off at first, or with compression on), that only a completely knackered battery would defeat you I think.

 

Of course, being responsible, I go everywhere sedately slowly, so have no idea of what it might be capable if I opened it up.....

 

Honest, guv......

[PhilR]

 

Yes,

 

But since I learnt that Sickle's HA3 had managed to break the wrists of more than one person, including its previous owner's, I must admit I have got a lot less enthusiastic about hand starting it.

 

This is probably a good opportunity to issue a H & S warning: ....... When hand starting an engine always have your thumb on the same side of the starting handle as all your fingers. I learn't the hard way, but fortunately didn't break any bones.

[alan_fincher]

This is probably a good opportunity to issue a H & S warning: ....... When hand starting an engine always have your thumb on the same side of the starting handle as all your fingers. I learn't the hard way, but fortunately didn't break any bones.

Yes, sound advice!

 

In Sickle, if it kicks back at you, an additional risk is that your elbow gets thrown against the vertical projecting angle iron framing of the engine room meaning your elbow can go no further, and something else has to give, if your hands and fingers can't slip of the handle.

[Timleech]

Yes, sound advice!

 

In Sickle, if it kicks back at you, an additional risk is that your elbow gets thrown against the vertical projecting angle iron framing of the engine room meaning your elbow can go no further, and something else has to give, if your hands and fingers can't slip of the handle.

 

It's unusual for diesels to kick back (unlike some petrol engines), the main risk with Lister raised hand start gear is that the ratchet may slip when you're applying maximum effort and the handle reaches 'bottom centre' much more quickly than expected! Broken thumbs more likely than broken wrists.

 

Tim

[alan_fincher]

 

Broken thumbs more likely than broken wrists.

 

Try telling my informants that!

 

I've come close to an injury, (but admit I'm inept!).

[PhilR]

 

Try telling my informants that!

 

I've come close to an injury, (but admit I'm inept!).

I'm sure you are not. The secret is to crank with gusto (rather than fear) ...... and have your thumb in the correct position ;-)

 

It's unusual for diesels to kick back (unlike some petrol engines), the main risk with Lister raised hand start gear is that the ratchet may slip when you're applying maximum effort and the handle reaches 'bottom centre' much more quickly than expected! Broken thumbs more likely than broken wrists.

 

Tim

The only time a diesel engine has kicked back on me was when starting a Saab 2 cyl. This was anti-clockwise cranking so the only damage was to my weaker left hand.... before I learned where to place my thumb!

 

I know now why Bolinders are kick started! ......................

[FadeToScarlet]

I know now why Bolinders are kick started! ......................

They don't have a decompressor, even though they're low compression in comparison to a more modern diesel, you can't rotate the flywheel all the way (I think)

 

It's obligatory to give a Manly Grunt when kicking one, by the way. Or, if it's really misbehaving, a stream of abuse.

[Timleech]

 

I know now why Bolinders are kick started! ......................

 

They can be hand started, but it's awkward in a typical Narrow Boat installation.

You're not trying to get it over compression anyway, but to bounce it against compression and make it bounce back. By hand, you bounce it against compression in both directions, a sort of rocking motion, until it fires (against compression, again). It's a gentler slower acting effect than with a full diesel, and they have a self-retracting pin in the flywheel, as soon as you let go it disappears.

 

Tim

[Speedwheel]

I know now why Bolinders are kick started! ......................

 

I was once baring over the flywheel on a bolinder when the lamp was on. The decompressor was out but it suddenly decided it was going to try and fire. It didn't go properly but was enough to spin the flywheel half a turn. My fingers were between the bar and the tool box it hit. Fortunately it wasn't anything like as bad as it might have been. Still hurt though!

 

They can be hand started,

 

I've managed it a couple of times but it's too much like hard work.

[Timleech]

 

I've managed it a couple of times but it's too much like hard work.

 

I only said it can be done - in fact I think that's the method recommended in at least one Bolinders manual.

 

Tim

[Ca Jon]

 

I only said it can be done - in fact I think that's the method recommended in at least one Bolinders manual.

 

Tim

Talking of manuals, any idea where I can get one?

[Timleech]

Talking of manuals, any idea where I can get one?

 

For an HA/HB?

Try marine engine services, Uxbridge, or set up a search on ebay & a secondhand one will come along sooner or later.

[Ca Jon]

 

For an HA/HB?

Try marine engine services, Uxbridge, or set up a search on ebay & a secondhand one will come along sooner or later.

ok thanks

[TimYoung]

For info the Bolinder's manual states - Using the retractable handle, rock the flywheel to and fro, until an impulse is obtained.

 

Mmm!

 

Tim

[Timleech]

For info the Bolinder's manual states - Using the retractable handle, rock the flywheel to and fro, until an impulse is obtained.

 

Mmm!

 

Tim

 

This sort of thing:-

 

 

Tim

[johnthebridge]

Have a look at e-bay number 390576893432

[alan_fincher]

Have a look at e-bay number 390576893432

 

Unless you particularly want the real thing, oily finger marks and all, I think it will be cheaper to get a modern copy from Marine Engine Services.

 

Try and speak to forum member Chris Bennett, (formerly "Baldock"), because I think he may give a forum discount, something I didn't know when I ordered mine from them.