Air cooled worth messing with?

[yurigagarian]

I have found a two cyl (20hp?) lister the seller has told me is air cooled.
I am looking for a house gen motor.
What can I expect from one of these vs a liquid cooled? Parts, rpm, noise, all seem to
be not quite as desirable as the liquid. I assume it turns slow, but is louder correct?
Are parts not as available one these?
The seller wants $1500 US in "excellent running" condition (but It is an old motor I am sure).
I am in Oklahoma USA by the way.
Should I even mess with this?
He also has an Onan 4 cyl diesel for the same price with "low hours" I am considering.
Trying to decide which is better.
I tried to post a pic below.

[compig]

Although all Lister engines are well engineered , the aircooled type are much noiser , run at higher revs and heat cannot practically be extracted from the cooling system. If it were me I'd go CS every time.

[contaucreek]

I see a few hit and miss engines in the background 

[arborlis]

Looks very similar to my engine. It looks like it has the compression release on the valve covers. My engine sat for a decade, and after a thorough cleaning of the fuel system, and an oil change, it will start on one cylinder on the first compression stroke. I was told my particular model was built to run 40k hours. It's 40-50 years old and runs perfect.

[compig]

I omitted to say that availability of parts (genuine) would be easier than a CS.

[dcamac1]

It is a good engine, I was lucky I found mine for $50.00.   If I was going to spend $1500. I'd go with the Blackstone. I am already saving money to pay cash for one. I've read quite a lot on this forum, and think it will be as reliable as an Indian CS.
Regards DC

[oliver90owner]

If I was going to spend $1500. I'd go with the Blackstone

Please expand a little.  Which model engine might that be?

Regards, RAB

My NHSI cost a hundred quid but has no injection equipment, among other parts - like a big end!

[lowspeedlife]

I think he's refering to a REDstone, not a  blackstone, if he can find a decent blackstone for $1500.00 i hope he can find one for me too!

   SR.

[yurigagarian]

Is there a chance the seller could be mistaken and this is a water cooled CS?
Can you guys tell from the pic ?
And after looking at the pic I too am intrigued about those other engines !!!
He did say that it ran at a very low rpm by the way
and used little fuel. That his dad (another oil man) told him it was the type of motors
they put in lighthouses. I will try to drive out to his remote location and look at it.
I wonder if I might be better off (if this isn't the desirable engine type) to
go with another power source for that price ?

[compig]

Definitely an aircooled motor , not a CS. Depends on his definition of low speed , that will be around a 1500 RPM unit. Price is high for the type , they can be picked up cheaply in the UK.

[apogee_man]

Yuri,

Definitely air cooled.

Very long lived and parts are available.

What are you planning to do with it?

These were used in lighthouses and power stations (among other things) in areas where they HAD to be dependable for 10's of thousands of hours between rebuilds and didn't use much fuel.

It is likely rated between 1000 - 1500 rpm and will last forever.

Yes, it's a bit louder than a CS style, but if that doesn't matter to you, then so what?  This engine is far newer and has basics like a full pressure oiling system that the CS doesn't have.

I would haggle on the price if I could, but on the other hand, it's not a bad price for a 20HP twin.  That is a nice engine!

Since you're located in OK, stuff being cheaper in the UK does you absolutely no good as the shipping is outrageous!

I have an SR2 (similar to what you posted) and it's a very good engine!

These have the advantage of being able to be hand started if batteries are dead, which the Onan (or most others) does not have.

Have fun,

Steve

[yurigagarian]

Great info guys !
I actually had to haggle the guy down to that price as it is attached  to a hydraulic pump (which I talked him into
selling the motor separately  , thus lowering the price).
I want to use it to run a "doomsday" generator : )
Something I can run off of whatever fuel I can gather up in the PO (Post Obama/Bush) United States , if it gets
that bad : (
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best !
He has a couple of motors, this and a large 40k or so gen set with an Onan 4cyl for the same price.
The Onan has a gen but it is 3 phase and the "exciter" is broke. 
I figure either motor I will have to buy a single phase 240 ac gen to attach to it, probable a winco or chinese.
I wonder if this motor (the Lister ) has a governor that would make it useable for a gen?
The Onan the guy has is already set up as a (albeit three phase) gen, so maybe it has a better governor?
If not, can these old Listers keep up with a gen in speed changes?
has anyone ever used one as such ( this higher speed one that is)?
I don't know how old the engine is, but he says it is in good shape, the handcrank option definitely sounds promising though.
I didn't ask the guy, but to you think this has a hand crank?
Also any idea what model this might be or how old it might be?
Parts, are they available at Napa or other such parts houses?
If so , what spares should I stock up on?
Thanks a million !

[Combustor]

Hi Yurigargarian,
                     The motor in your pic is an SR or ST series, 30 to 40 years old, good old motors, run round 1500 to 2200 rpm, noisy, direct injection, so maybe not so
suitable for WVO or WMO fuels. Would have thought for $US1500 you might find something of that age complete with alternator ready to run. If you can quote its
serial No. that will tell its model, age and possibly options fitted. Crank start was standard and elec start was an option. Models supplied as alternator sets came with a
heavier flywheel and better governor. Keep shopping around, the right unit is out there somewhere!  Regards,  Combustor.

[yurigagarian]

Combustor, Thank you thank you thank you !
I am endlessly impressed with the caliber of folks I encounter on the "evil internet".
You have pretty much answered all my questions straightaway.
Thanks !!!
I think I will give this a second thought , do exactly as you say, and keep shopping.
Only a fool asks advice from the more knowledgeable, and then disregards it !

[Peter C.]

Don't disregard the air cooled Lister though. I have one and love it, its a 3 banger with 15KW genset. I bought it for $550.00 on a trailer. They are loud though but who cares.
Parts are avialable on the net from the UK. Haven't found a source here in the US yet but I'm sure I will as the need arrises.