Not sure if this qualifies as a "slow-speed" issue, so I apologize if this is in the wrong section.

As you've all seen, I'm in a new phase of my Diesel addiction, and am apparently acquiring new (to me) metal.  I picked up a 12.5kVa generator with a two-cylinder Chinese 295d engine.

Before you ask, yes I did indeed find the number one Google search return when looking up Changchai 295d with 332 hours, and I fully realize that I might have picked up a lemon.  But since I knew it was a potential lemon I had got it for a very reasonable price.  If the motor craps out in the near future I'm still money ahead on the Stamford Newage gen head, is how I see it.

The radiator has some rust in it, as it was manufactured in 2002 and went to live in a prepper's garage for a decade and a half with no maintenance whatsoever.

At a bare minimum I'll be needing a new radiator cap, oil filter, and fuel filter, and that's just for starters.  Does anyone have a source for these items?

How about oil type?  Would Rotella be a good choice?  I'm still learning when a multi-grade oil is appropriate and when straight weight would be.  I've never found the definitive thread on that topic.

Also I'm looking for some documentation on the thing.  I found a PDF with the dimensions and capacities, but I was wondering if anyone had a repair manual hidden in their computers somewhere?

Thanks, all!

Bingo Stef!

I just need to make the right acquaintances with the proper resources at this point.  As you say, when you get right down to it parts is parts and it won't burn diesel unless it's put back together properly.

Half the fun of this new obsession is getting to bat around ideas with folks such as yourself, and the other half of the fun is knowing you old hands at this game are getting a kick out of watching the new guy fumble his way through.

Doing some quick searching in Ireland and England is eye-opening.  It'd seem like the prudent thing to do if you really want an original condition SOM is to wait for your perfect machine to pop up on one of their sites, then buy and make a nice vacation out of it to arrange shipping in person.

There's just so many different directions to go.  I've had several folks contact me already offering some of their own original Lister excess project motors (thanks guys!), but to be honest I think I maybe should do my first learning how to fix on one of the clones so that if I mess something up (which is nearly inevitable) it won't be on something irreplaceable.  Then if that goes well start the search process anew for my "forever motor".

What do you think, gentlemen (and ladies if there are any)?  What's the best route for someone wanting to learn how to fix these things up?  Dive in head first, or just dip the toes in the pond until I learn how to swim?

Well Bob, if you point me in the right direction to pick up the scent, I'm tenacious like a bloodhound when searching for hidden treasures. And I'm not afraid of the import game as there's always a loophole to be found if you have the patience for the processing time.

Let me know, and I'll get right on it! I'd buy up an entire container full if I could only find them. But I gotta tell you it smells too good to be true...

Greetings, all!

I'm a recently infected Lister newb wanting to find my first engine.  I was in contact with Sid here in Atlanta regarding his posts that he was ready to sell his Listeroid and Petteroid.  As it turns out, after meeting the man I understand that he has recently obtained a fresh lease on life, and only a monster would ask him to give up his man toys when he clearly doesn't want to or need to at this particular moment in his life.

I should add that I'm in contact with 38ac, and if no engines are available I'll be buying one from him and having him work his magic on it.  Not afraid to pay a man with his skill set demonstrated so aptly on this forum.  But naturally, being a gearhead myself I would love to take a swing at fixing one up myself and so I'm also at odds with myself on this conflict of interest.

So, I'm looking for either a running engine or a non-running collection of parts.  I'm perhaps more mechanically skilled than our national average, but by no means am I a rocket scientist.  Avid home gamer with a nice collection of machine shop toys including lathes and mills, and even an old Steptoe-Western 24" shaper.  An engine I could get back into shape using those tools would be right up my alley.

Proximity to Atlanta, GA has to be considered, although for a true original Lister (or even one Butch has worked his magic on) my range for a road trip pretty much includes all of North America.  Yeah, the bug bit me pretty hard all right.

Also, I have sold this idea of an indestructible engine with excellent fuel economy on the basis of promising an emergency backup generator for the house, so if it would have a generator head setup included well hey, that'd be awesome.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to spending time on this forum.  It seems like you have a great group of users who focus on helping each other rather than trying to scare off the new guys.  Well done to you.

As a closing thought, I'm also utterly fascinated by the Chinese horizontal diesels in a morbid way.  They're just so industrial raw and beefy, at some point I'd like to possess one of those as well and make a genset out of it.  If anyone needs to find a new home for theirs, please let me know.  I am already in touch with Tom up in New England about a brand-new 1115, but $1500 might be a touch high for me to swing by my wife.  I'm sure you all understand that predicament.