Before the start of production of diesels, the company had already established itself with a line of reliable
and economical petrol engines, all of which were eventually designed and produced in-house at Dursley.
The first diesel engine was the 9/1 (9hp 1 cylinder) known as the Joint Product (JP) engine, from an agreement
between R.A.Lister and Ruston & Hornsby, whereby the two companies agreed not to compete against each
other in specific engine markets.
The new engine was a single-cylinder vertical diesel, with indirect injection, cold-starting by means of a hand-operated
variable compression device and chrome-plated bores for extended operating life. Injection was by a unit injection
pump and Bosch injector. A single solid flywheel was fitted at the 'front' end, and power was taken from the opposite
end of the crankshaft.
Technical Details:
Bore & Stroke: 4.5" X 5.5"
9hp at 1000 rpm | Weight (tank cooled less tank & water) 1174 lbs | Weight (rad cooled, less water) 1355 lbs
Other Variants: Engine produced in 1,2,3,4 and 6 cylinder models. Later JS and JK variants had detail improvements
to engine lubrication, valve gear and the compression change-over mechanism was dropped on the JK
Collectibility/Availability:
Singles and twins are collectible as examples of Lister's first diesel. Later 3, 4 and 6 cylinder models are of less
interest, as they are very heavy and bulky engines. Few of the singles feature regularly in engine sales, while the
twins and threes are used still in the canal boat industry as vintage propulsion units.
• Back • JP Pictures • Main •
