14/11/2014
I had my eye on this engine before I bought the 3XHR, should have gone for it then but have finally
succumbed to temptation.
It’s loosely laid together and I have to rebuild it onto a four wheeled towing trolley.
It is a 38hp gas engine (only one made) No 166582 built for Activated Sludge LTD London 26/07/1933 and
deployed in a sewage works in Sittingbourne Kent.
Will start this after completion of the 7hp Ruston OK (on this website)
Update
01/02/2015
Now the OK is finished I hope to start this soon, although I really need to obtain a trailer first to build onto, this will make life
easier.
Engine is lying in my friend’s museum (in construction) and looking sorry for its self at the moment.
Just thought I’d put a couple of pictures of it lying there.
Click images
Update
31/07/2015
Having completed and sold the OK I'm gradually starting the 7HRG, as have been said I now have a 6 ton Pettit tipping trailer to make into a display trolley. A good friend has just aquired a nice open Ruston compressor and a Ruston air receiver tank, well chuffed it should be a nice set when complete. If anyone wants a Broomwade air receive Approx 5 foot long I now have one for offers arond 90 quid.
Update
11/09/2015
This isn’t going to be a quick restoration/build, however just thought I’d put a little something of small development with the
project.
A friend has got me a Ruston open crank compressor along with Ruston air receiver, I’ve made a start on the receiver in so
much as stripping valve assembly and restoring that.
Put three pictures on here below.
Click images
Update
29/10/15
Not much of an update but! I've got the main base of engine onto the trailer and brought it home to my back garden, this way
hopefully there'll be more chance of making a start at my leisure.
As soon as it’s convenient I’ll go and clean crank shaft at his place ready for him to remove from flywheel (whoever stripped this
took crank out with flywheel on).
Click images
Update
08/08/16
Well there has been a little movement so thought I’d do an update, flywheel is now off crank albeit not home yet.
Needing four tyres for the Hornsby trolley to trailer (marathon) project I’ve come to a stop, I’ve made a bit of a start on
this.
I’ve started stripping bits off but finding things are more seriously seized on than first thought, however after removing the
gas inlet calibrator all eight head nuts are now off, these took serious heat and a six foot long extension tube on wrench.
The inlet valve chest has yet to relinquish its grip even after quite some weeks being soaked with diesel, here are some
pictures of bits so far.
Also having gotten a bit overzealous with the acetylene torch I’ve spoilt a couple of head nuts so have made
replacement pair plus a couple of spares.
Update
01/10/16
Bit more to share as I’ve now got everything home now of this engine, and I’ve now got a gantry to use on it, this is going to
tax my abilities to the limit with the situation I have to build it in but not giving up yet.
Brought the crank home last weekend and the flywheel home today (01/10/16), had a bit of a dilemma while bringing crank
home, crank moved back about five inches in trailer kicking it’s centre of gravity rear of axle, resulting in front of trailer
shooting up and rear nearly rubbing road, good job I strapped it on else would have had it picked up from road and probably
got nicked for an unsafe load.
Unfortunately ground will soon be too soft for any heavy work this year, here are some picks of the crank, wheel and
gantry.
Click on images
Update
11/11/18
I’m very sad to say that I’ve had to capitulate to common sense!! (Very upset with myself as not only did I really want to build and own this and I’ve ruined my reputation for always doing what I say I’m going to do), It was really a obvious fact that for me to build this size engine in my small back yard with little lifting equipment and on grass was a silly project to attempt.
Plus my health has taken a bit of a nose dive as well, I’ve replaced this project with a very rare Ruston 3RG town gas engine which (although not that little) will be a lot easier to handle here.
Update
Big Restart!!!! :-)
18/05/19
after massive change of heart and Steve having done heavy lifting at his yard, I've bought this back
It is now on a fabricated steel base and I'm in process of preparing trailer for mounting on after which I'll bring it home and build up rig here.
Watch tis space!
Mega Update
20/06/2020
Well!
Went and bought it back at last moment as it was being sold on as the crank and flywheel had been fitted ready for sale.
Had it tack welded to the trailer chassis and had plans to build it and carry on with plan to make this a portable engine
Having had discussion with Steve (engineer/engine builder/dealer) We decided that this is too risky a thing to tow around on roads (particularly as roads it’d be going on are small) so once again fighting with own mind as to whether having it is sensible with my facilities.
Situation now is that prospect of moving to a position in garden to a different spot and create concrete bed with shed built over is going to be too expensive for me, however! With situation of bottom being dropped out of large engine market and worth a fraction of layout, it will be here for foreseeable.
I’ve decided to start a restoration where it is for now as whatever happens it’ll be better in a good state to be able to run, should I find a way to get it where I want it or if prices pick up later.
It is in a 6 x 3mtr party tent at moment, I’ve started getting things moving and cleaned up from front to back and see how I get on.
I'll be adding some progress with pictures soon
Update
05/07/2020
I’ve been wondering if I’ll ever got to affording to getting this set up in garden but I thought I’d start restoring it anyway, waiting for Hornsby piston at moment so moved to this for now.
I’ve started by taking parts off and refurbishing them one at a time, I’ve completed Wico EK mag and bracket and auto oiler and moved onto gas valve/carb.
Here are the mag and oiler pictures
Update
07/07/2020
Having refurbished oiler and mag & bracket I’ve turned my attention to gas/air inlet valve (carb), the main gas valve was mega stuck with no way of getting to It to push out.
I had to tap thread into top where air valve shaft comes up through and with large 1-inch plate, pull valve off seat.
Once this was out, I made a bush to get air valve shaft hole back to correct size.
Top of gas valve
Side of valve through manifold inlet
Lifting valve ass'y on to mill
Mounted
Tapping 16mm thread
gas valve out
Mag on bracket
Oiler parts out and cleaned ready
Pump innards building up
oiler completed
Having got gas & air valves sorted I’m now refurbishing the throttle/governor parts of this, it has some serious wear on the air throttle governor flap shaft so need to come up with a method of sleeving and bushing this.
Gas 7 air throttle parts out
Air throttle assembly
Air throttle shaft wear
Update
09/07/2020
Gas/air inlet control valve is now complete, I’ve sleeved the governor air flap shaft and installed back into main valve assembly, top plate and control levers are now back on and inlet air/gas control is now complete.
Governor air flap shaft sleeved
Governor parts re-installed
Air/gas inlet valve completed
Update
09/08/2020
Bit behind with update I’m afraid!
Gas/air valve has now been re-installed onto engine along with governor control rods
I’ve been doing a lot of general cleaning (this engine was used in a sewage plant so bit of dirt well adhered to it), having now discovered a issue with oil feed up con rod to little end, I’ve removed piston (which resisted quite strongly) and con rod to clean and found it was just as well as only one ring (bottom) was free.
Will now be cleaning and getting that all good to go back in.
Pulling out
Piston out
Stuck rings
Piston & rod coming out
Piston and rod out
Click on images
On way out
Update
Shame and sadness
28/04/2021
With great shame, sadness and disappointment (in myself) I've once again sold this on (for good this time!), mainly for financial reasons again as looking at it, I'll not be able to afford it. the cost of setting this up and building a building over it will be far too high for me.
The End
Hooked up and ready to go
