Lister Engines > Listeroid Engines
6/1-8/1 650 VS 850 RPM and Iron VS Alu. pistons
cujet:
My 20/2 was purchased as a 1000 RPM engine and has cast iron pistons. I don't run it at 1000 RPM though. Instead, I run it at 800 RPM. It's held up just fine throughout the years and multiple extended power outages after the hurricanes. My 6/1 also has a cast iron piston, I run it at 730 RPM.
My 20/2 also has the larger flywheels with spokes. No issues what so ever, but again, I'm running it at 800 RPM. I did calculate the G force and it is just over 200G's. Which for a flywheel is exceedingly low. By way of comparison, a typical V8 engine's cast iron flywheel withstands about 4000 "G's" of inertia at the perimeter at a 6000 RPM redline.
It is my understanding that either piston will do just fine at any RPM we typically run. Iron pistons are used on other diesel engines running much higher RPM, often 3000 or so.
I did pull my connecting rod bearing apart some years ago and noticed no unusual wear.
It would be interesting to weigh each type of piston and compare. The cast iron pistons really are not all that heavy in the hand. Especially when compared to the weight of the piston pin and connecting rod.
dkmc:
Thanks to every one for the insight. I think I'll stick to 650 RPM for now. But now I know the details.
Willw:
FWIW when I fixed my Lister VA I replaced the original aluminum piston with a cast iron one and it didn't seem too badly off-balance; it just skated rather gently across the floor.
I realize this is opposite to what you are proposing to do, and it is certainly not running at 850 RPM but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained. There is a lot of info on this forum about engine balancing.
I was unable to free the stuck rings on the original piston, which is why I replaced it.
I have not run the engine very often, but I do have a new aluminum piston for it, when I get a chance to change it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYbySo-28pI
As you can see in the video, my son is standing on the wooden skid to help slow it's movement across the floor.
I am still looking for an original fan shroud for it, in case anyone has a lead on one.
dkmc:
Thank You for this info, every post helps me learn a bit more about the C/S design.....and it's idiosyncrasies.
--- Quote from: Willw on November 06, 2020, 12:08:08 AM ---FWIW when I fixed my Lister VA I replaced the original aluminum piston with a cast iron one and it didn't seem too badly off-balance; it just skated rather gently across the floor.
I realize this is opposite to what you are proposing to do, and it is certainly not running at 850 RPM but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained. There is a lot of info on this forum about engine balancing.
I was unable to free the stuck rings on the original piston, which is why I replaced it.
I have not run the engine very often, but I do have a new aluminum piston for it, when I get a chance to change it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYbySo-28pI
As you can see in the video, my son is standing on the wooden skid to help slow it's movement across the floor.
I am still looking for an original fan shroud for it, in case anyone has a lead on one.
--- End quote ---
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