New to the forum/Ruston HR

[AngrySailor]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and hope I have posted this in the proper area. I collect tractors and stationary engines and have just purchased a large Ruston HR. I was wondering if anyone could help me identify positively the size and year?

The previous owner figured it was an 8HR however it doesn’t seem the bore is large enough (I don’t have measurements at the moment of the actual engine) to me it seems more likely to be the 28hp 6HR however the only information on the tag says “HR size #5” and according to the Ruston chart I found online, there is no 5HR?

I’m making arrangements this week to have it moved to my place and also have to go visit PO to pick up the manuals and spares. Anyways here’s a couple pictures.

Thanks and cheers from the east coast of Canada.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

That’s a beast what would it have been used for?

 

[AngrySailor]

That’s a beast what would it have been used for?

It ran a sawmill and planer. The mill closed over 30 years ago but I’m not sure this engine was in service or if they switched to more mixer power. My friend bought it from the mill and had it running on the trailer it’s pictured on. I’m planning to pour a permanent foundation for it and build a small building over it.

 

[AngrySailor]

*modern power

 

[76masseyman]

Greetings from the town it was built in, Lincoln England.
Very nice to see it saved.

 

[AngrySailor]

Here’s one of the only Ruston model charts I’ve been able to find. It doesn’t seem to list a 5HR. I will verify the bore and stroke ASAP. The engine is being moved to my property mid to late next week which will make measuring and pictures much easier.

Ruston Engine Data

 

[AngrySailor]

Got a few better pictures today. I stopped in to scope out lifting/rigging options as I have a 17 ton boom truck coming tomorrow to land her at my shop.

 

[AngrySailor]

Well gents, the eagle has landed. Just measured the bore and stroke, 7 3/4” by 15 1/2” which according to the Ruston chart matches up to a 5WHR 22hp. When looking at the cylinder head, you can see the remnants of lettering which says “x2hp” which would seem to make sense. Does anyone have any information regarding what the different letter variations in the HR series refers to?
Also found the badge from the air start tank which if it matches the motor would seem to make her a 1938.

Can’t wait to go to go through the fuel system, governor and oiling system then fire her up. It’s been sitting a long time and things are a little bunged up. Planning to pour a concrete pad for it and build another out building for it. Not sureif she’s going to run a saw mill or an alternator or both...

 

[AngrySailor]

 

[AngrySailor]

Still waiting on the manuals for this engine from the previous owner so I don’t have all the details but seems to me the governor is stuck. Correct me if I’m wrong but should I not be able to manually move the weights out which would then lift the centre spindle which operates the rack? Definitely need to make sure this is correct before making a start attempt.

 

[AngrySailor]

Brought the Ruston into the shop today. Got the governor free, put oil everywhere slippy was needed, drained and flushed the fuel system, bled the pump and injector lines and made a start attempt. Got a few puffs of smoke but she wouldn’t fire off.

I still don’t have the manual so Just going by observation and deduction as to how things should be. That said, I am a licensed motor ship marine Engineer, so it’s not my first diesel. I can hear the injector breaking by hand priming but seems weak.

It seems there’s a wedge that limits maximum delivery and is adjusted by stop bolt on the cylinder side of the pump housing correct? I have read that there there is a gauge for setting this? It seems to be adjusted in a way that doesn’t allow much delivery, the governor has little effect on the range of motion of this wedge. I am wondering if the previous owner set this engine for “show idle” the governor speed adjuster is full minimum also. I was also told they didn’t use the air start but turned it with another engine. I also need to check for pump/delivery valve leakage still.

I plan to retrieve the manual tomorrow or over the weekend so that should give some insight but If anyone has any ideas I’mall ears.

 

[AngrySailor]

Just went to the shop for an adult beverage and messing with the pump. It’s leaking out the spill port rather than lifting the injector needle. By reading other sites, sounds like there’s a check ball and seat needs lappping? Any pump with a delivery valve I’ve e worked on has been HUGE. Used more of a spool valve arrangement... interdasting...

 

[AngrySailor]

She’s alive fellas!

Does anyone have any technical information about dailing in the pump and setting the spill valve? She’s running on the governor but at minimum governor spring tension (slack) she’s running 300 rpm. Would be nice to slow it down some until actually putting it to work.

 

[DrWazzock]

I used to work for Rustons in Lincoln manufacturing gas turbines so I can't help out with the old oil engines but maybe these chaps would know something:-

Lincolnshire Oil Engine Club

Lincolnshire Oil Engine Club

lincsoilengineclub.weebly.com

 

[AngrySailor]

So I found some information I was missing, my manual has several pages torn out. It seems the governor only allows 15% reduction from rated speed also on subsequent runs the governor must have freed up a bit as the engine settled down to around 280 rpm which roughly fits Ruston’s spec. I was able to slow the engine by manually adjusting the spill valve which is easy to do while the engine is running.

I’m fighting with a seized taper pin now to disassemble the governor. I will likely put a lighter spring in to get the governor range down a bit. The oil ring repair is on the list for today, the oiler is repaired now also.

 

[vantage]

I’m sure Greta will be thrilled!

 

[AngrySailor]

HOW DARE YOU!

 

[AngrySailor]

Working on the oil ring. It can’t be TIG welded or aluminum brazed, tried both quickly and stopped before I made a mess. It’s a strange alloy... when heated to braze one of its alloy components begins “sweating” out in beads... I’m going to make this new patch and attach it to the ring with small machine screws.

 

[AngrySailor]

Mostly fixed. Will pretty it up after I fill the broken sides in.

 

[Vizslaman]

Great to see her up and running