Shane Dempsey Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Hia, Last year I bought my first narrowboat,which has served me very well. It has a 1937 Thornycroft RJ2 on board which I want to replace with a more modern engine. This is an enthusiasts engine and is now running well but frankly I don't have the time to truly work on it and appreciate it in all it's glory. There are apparently only 6 of them in the country and would love to hear from anyone who has a passion for Vintage engines. I am in London now and eager to get the word out. Thanks again. Shane 078 777 16702 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Welcome Shane. Good luck with finding a new home for the engine (I would not be surprised if a couple of our members have consulted their bank managers already) and do feel free to join in any of the other threads/topics which interest you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 MtB has just bought a rattly old Lister ............... but he might be tempted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 MtB has just bought a rattly old Lister ............... but he might be tempted Had a long convo with Shane this morning! MtB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace and Favour Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Two identical topics merged. (Thanks MtB) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Had a long convo with Shane this morning! MtB Fit Reg with twin engines You know it makes sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Fit Reg with twin engines You know it makes sense No, I need another bote for it, obviously! MtB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Now that's a man with style Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEngo Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 No, I need another bote for it, obviously! MtB Why not use it as the starter for the Glennifer? N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 No need now. Three squirts of oil down the Number 1 cylinder glowplug hole and it starts like a dream! Must do a proper post about it. Anyone want to buy a low hours HRW2? MtB P.S. Only kidding... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 No need now. Three squirts of oil down the Number 1 cylinder glowplug hole and it starts like a dream! Must do a proper post about it. Anyone want to buy a low hours HRW2? MtB P.S. Only kidding... I'd hang on to it You never know when you might need a spare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Alnwick Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Replying to the OP - replacing a vintage engine with a modern mass produced product may not prove to be an advantage. Most vintage engines have been engineered to endure conditions far more arduous than powering a narrow boat at three miles an hour. They are generally more robust, slower running (which is good on inland waterways) and they can tolerate longer service intervals than most modern equivalents. Also it isn't just a case of changing the engine - if you switch to a modern engine (with built-in short life obsolescence) you may also need to change the gearbox, control gear and propeller - all of which will be very expensive. I would say stick with your vintage engine installation or change the boat . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Replying to the OP - replacing a vintage engine with a modern mass produced product may not prove to be an advantage. Most vintage engines have been engineered to endure conditions far more arduous than powering a narrow boat at three miles an hour. They are generally more robust, slower running (which is good on inland waterways) and they can tolerate longer service intervals than most modern equivalents. Also it isn't just a case of changing the engine - if you switch to a modern engine (with built-in short life obsolescence) you may also need to change the gearbox, control gear and propeller - all of which will be very expensive. I would say stick with your vintage engine installation or change the boat . . . You're not going to make yourself popular with MtB posting sensible stuff like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Replying to the OP - replacing a vintage engine with a modern mass produced product may not prove to be an advantage. Most vintage engines have been engineered to endure conditions far more arduous than powering a narrow boat at three miles an hour. They are generally more robust, slower running (which is good on inland waterways) and they can tolerate longer service intervals than most modern equivalents. Also it isn't just a case of changing the engine - if you switch to a modern engine (with built-in short life obsolescence) you may also need to change the gearbox, control gear and propeller - all of which will be very expensive. I would say stick with your vintage engine installation or change the boat . . . This was my advice to Shane too, but he likes the boat and doesn't have the inclination to look for another, buy it then sell this one. Even so, I don't think he yet fully appreciates the size and complexity (= expense) involved in this engine swap. MtB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 (edited) I've just spotted the name of Shane's boat. We nearly bought Will Try ten years ago. If it is the same boat, the engine sits on a massive, cast frame integral with the gearbox, in an engine room with a full width bulkhead and fuel tank It's going to be a massive job to put a different engine in Richard MORE: To be honest, it was the engine that was the attraction, combined with the price at the time Edited May 8, 2014 by RLWP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Isn't that how everyone looks for a boat? What's the engine - what wrapped around it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Alnwick Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Isn't that how everyone looks for a boat? What's the engine - what wrapped around it I don't think that the stuff wrapped around the engine comes into the equation . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Isn't that how everyone looks for a boat? What's the engine - what wrapped around it An American couple we used to know, who moored at Langley Mill, advertised their boat for sale in terms like that: " Gardner 4L2, surrounded by 50 foot trad narrowboat". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 I was seduced by the sirens of Dursley in to buying a JP3. It came wrapped up in a Hudson thing Apparently you keep them shiny. Not sure why , they seem to work very well with a nice patina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Alnwick Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 (edited) You made the right decision - I think the JP3 is probably the most suitable of all engines to power a narrow boat - may it go on and on forever . . . ETA and this from a Kelvin man! Edited May 8, 2014 by NB Alnwick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 (edited) Ah.......... We've had this conversation before Though shall not covet another mans engine ETA - Watch out for incomming from the twin pot boys Edited May 8, 2014 by Proper Job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Alnwick Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 ETA - Watch out for incomming from the twin pot boys They could be missing something . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 They could be missing something . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 An American couple we used to know, who moored at Langley Mill, advertised their boat for sale in terms like that: " Gardner 4L2, surrounded by 50 foot trad narrowboat". One of the boats that has been suggested to us as our possible "new" old boat has just that engine. Unfortunately that's the main reason I have not followed it up - being undoubtedly at least twice what it actually needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FadeToScarlet Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 One of the boats that has been suggested to us as our possible "new" old boat has just that engine. Unfortunately that's the main reason I have not followed it up - being undoubtedly at least twice what it actually needs. Easy way around that, just decide that you want your boat to win tug of war contests, and lo! It suddenly has just the engine it needs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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