smithwrecker Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 Good morning all, it’s been a while since I’ve made any posts and I hope everyone is well. my question is, has anybody got any experience or knowledge of the Lister CE in any narrowboats? ive been offered one, I believe it’s a genuine marine version(haven’t picked it up yet but I will post some pics when I do), it’s rated at 16hp but I can’t find any torque figures for it. power wise I’m sure it’ll be fine(looking to put it in a 60’ boat) but looking at the specs, it’s an over square engine and from experience, I’ve found them to be lacking torque. I’ve heared rumour of a 70’ boat that has one fitted and it frequently pulled a butty. any information will be gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamraiser2 Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 The Lister CE is a less common engine in narrow boats as it was generally overlooked in favour of its larger cousin the JP. We have a couple of them here in the queue for restoration. A lot of internal similarities with the JP although few transferable parts. Both wet and dry sump marine versions were available. Like the JP range they don't take kindly to be over revved, especially when bearings are becoming worn and will, like a JP, break the very angular crankshaft. Some have reciprocating water pumps which are prone to leak . They are a smaller engine than the JP but very capable and very reliable if well maintained. Pretty too. Sound good as well It should be fine in a well propped 60' boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X Alan W Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) In my working days there was a"Josher with a CETrying to remember it's name I've seen it loaded with 20ish tons of Felspar ,Weston Point to the Potteries never knew it to have lack of power problems & as far as I knew reliable, remember helping a guy up the Fradley locks with a shortened "Josher" he was taking it to Warwickshire Fly for work he was strugging a bit having sprained his ankle again no engine problems guess it all depends on mechanical conditions Edited April 13, 2018 by X Alan W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlt Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 The wooden motor Umbriel dragged the big Ricky Adelaide around powered by a CE2 without any problems. Looked and sounded beautiful and blew some great smoke rings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithwrecker Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 Thanks chaps, I feel a lot more optimistic now, I must say, it’s a lovely looking engine and it would be a real shame not to use it. Thanks again for the replies.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) There was a boat moored at ashwood marina when my boat was there five or six years ago with one that sounded absolutely gorgeous. This one had twin flywheels iirc so must have been the industrial version. Very, very slow tickover. An engine i’d love to own. Edited April 13, 2018 by Mike the Boilerman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 T&S Element's Ben still has its original Lister CE. http://hnbc.org.uk/boats/ben http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/395/ben Incidentally the engine is a CE , not a CE2, and was produced in industrial "CE" and marine "CEM" versions. It has 2 cylinders, but the corresponding single cylinder engine is a CD/CDM. See, for example http://realdiesels.co.uk/listerdata.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted April 14, 2018 Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 A friend had a CE in his 60ft NB, because it couldn't swing a particularly large prop 18" springs to mind he fitted it with a 1:1 gearbox. The boat (Lexa) went very well for many years until the CE crank broke. can't remember what engine he replaced it with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted April 14, 2018 Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 (edited) On 13/04/2018 at 12:50, David Mack said: T&S Element's Ben still has its original Lister CE. And the W.J. Yarwood and Sons Ltd. built TRENT No.5 is also still as built in 1946 with a Lister CE - good enough for a carrying narrow boat so definitely good enough for a pleasure narrow boat. On 13/04/2018 at 08:09, X Alan W said: In my working days there was a"Josher with a CETrying to remember it's name I've seen it loaded with 20ish tons of Felspar ,Weston Point to the Potteries never knew it to have lack of power problems & as far as I knew reliable, remember helping a guy up the Fradley locks with a shortened "Josher" he was taking it to Warwickshire Fly for work he was strugging a bit having sprained his ankle again no engine problems guess it all depends on mechanical conditions Keith Christie's exF.M.C. Ltd. motor LYNX was powered by a Lister CE from 1966 until about 1968 when it was replaced with a Lister JP2. edit = and would the shortened F.M.C. Ltd. be VICTORY ? Edited April 14, 2018 by pete harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted April 14, 2018 Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 2 hours ago, Loddon said: A friend had a CE in his 60ft NB, because it couldn't swing a particularly large prop 18" springs to mind he fitted it with a 1:1 gearbox. The boat (Lexa) went very well for many years until the CE crank broke. Not uncommon, I understand. It also seems the engine/gearbox/prop combination is a bit more fussy with the CE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X Alan W Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 10 hours ago, pete harrison said: And the W.J. Yarwood and Sons Ltd. built TRENT No.5 is also still as built in 1946 with a Lister CE - good enough for a carrying narrow boat so definitely good enough for a pleasure narrow boat. Keith Christie's exF.M.C. Ltd. motor LYNX was powered by a Lister CE from 1966 until about 1968 when it was replaced with a Lister JP2. edit = and would the shortened F.M.C. Ltd. be VICTORY ? I have a feelng it was 1 of the NW fleet "Lynx " doesn't ring a bell but it was a while back The Fradley boat could well have been " Victory"ISTR it had a partial extension cabin it was in a bit of a sad state & he said he was on his way to WFBC for work & then it was being put up for sale can't remember the year but it was after my full time boating days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie57 Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 Hasn't the "Mendip" got a CE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoominPapa Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 58 minutes ago, archie57 said: Hasn't the "Mendip" got a CE? No, Mendip has a Lister FR2. Cheers, MP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 15 hours ago, RLWP said: Not uncommon, I understand. It also seems the engine/gearbox/prop combination is a bit more fussy with the CE Yes that's why I mentioned it. Took a lot of thought to get to the 1:1 box its not a common way to go but is the only way with a shallow draft boat and slow reving engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X Alan W Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 2 hours ago, MoominPapa said: No, Mendip has a Lister FR2. That's correct at that time Charlie Snr had a Freedom 2 Does it still have the same power unit? Cheers, MP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 (edited) 11 hours ago, X Alan W said: I have a feelng it was 1 of the NW fleet "Lynx " doesn't ring a bell but it was a while back The Fradley boat could well have been " Victory"ISTR it had a partial extension cabin it was in a bit of a sad state & he said he was on his way to WFBC for work & then it was being put up for sale can't remember the year but it was after my full time boating days Interesting. I have quite extensive records of North Western Division carrying boats but I have none that suggests any were fitted with a Lister CE - a few Lister JP2's and FR2's, a handful of Lister HA2's, several Parsons Merganser's and several that retained a Bolinder edit = MENDIP is powered by the same Lister FR2 as fitted by 'British Waterways' when it was in trade. Edited April 15, 2018 by pete harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithwrecker Posted April 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 On 13/04/2018 at 08:09, steamraiser2 said: The Lister CE is a less common engine in narrow boats as it was generally overlooked in favour of its larger cousin the JP. We have a couple of them here in the queue for restoration. A lot of internal similarities with the JP although few transferable parts. Both wet and dry sump marine versions were available. Like the JP range they don't take kindly to be over revved, especially when bearings are becoming worn and will, like a JP, break the very angular crankshaft. Some have reciprocating water pumps which are prone to leak . They are a smaller engine than the JP but very capable and very reliable if well maintained. Pretty too. Sound good as well It should be fine in a well propped 60' boat. So, are they very prone to breaking cranks? I’d hate to go to all the trouble of fitting it, only to have to scrap it later because it’s broke the crank and I can’t find one??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 54 minutes ago, smithwrecker said: So, are they very prone to breaking cranks? I’d hate to go to all the trouble of fitting it, only to have to scrap it later because it’s broke the crank and I can’t find one??? On 13/04/2018 at 08:09, steamraiser2 said: Like the JP range they don't take kindly to be over revved, especially when bearings are becoming worn and will, like a JP, break the very angular crankshaft. So, neglected CEs break cranks. They do seem to be around, although it's likely most cranks are in the possession of CE owners worried about breaking cranks We sold an incomplete CE with a crank last year to a CE owner Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steamraiser2 Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 (edited) CE marine cranks are different to the industrial ones and not interchangeable. Maintain your engine properly and you are unlikely to have a problem. It should not put you off having one in a boat, they are great little engines, different and one of the best sounding twins around. CEs are around so it is always worth keeping your eye out for one as a spares source. Edited April 16, 2018 by steamraiser2 typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 Industrial: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lister-CE-Twin-Cylinder-Diesel-Engine-1933-14-HP-1000-RPM-Generator-Flywheels/352329999971 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeML Posted July 28, 2019 Report Share Posted July 28, 2019 I have a 1939 CE in my 57'8" narrowboat - India Number 1. It's a superb engine that turns heads with its mellow tone and resonance and is quite able to travel all of the UK's navigable rivers. In the twelve years of ownership it hasn't missed a beat although, like others, I have acquired a 'spares or repair' CE to keep in the garage just in case something gives up the ghost. If you're ok about relaxed cruising- it's obviously not as powerful as a JP2- I personally wouldn't hesitate to recommend one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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