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Lister  Starter Motors. 

Confused ?  You probably will be if you have read too many listings on line.

For the majority of Lister engines  in the 1960s and 1970s, the way the engine turns (engine rotation) is the first thing you need to know.
Most series were available as either clockwise or anti-clock rotation. The rotation is defined by which way the flywheel turns when running, as viewed from the flywheel end of the  engine.

In Lister land, rotation always refers to the engine itself. In on line starter motor land, it may refer to the engine, or it may refer to the starter motor.
All references to rotation on this page refer to engine rotation.
An awful lot of on line retailers really have no clue about the Lister engine family and errors in their listings are commonplace.

The information below is not exhaustive; the numbers are the latest we are currently aware of.  On a number of the engines there were completely alternative starting systems offered,
including air, hydraulic and clockwork. If you need help with one of these types, please contact us. All the listings below refer to starter motors mounted  alongside the engine block.
There are a few special builds  where the motor is mounted 180° around and is offered to the flywheel on its outer face. If you happen to be looking for a replacement for this pattern
installation be sure to mention it. Best to have the numbers off the existing  motor if possible.

Whether you buy from us or somewhere else, the information below should help you navigate the listings.
If you are uncertain about the rotation of your Lister, then for all flywheel fan cooled (air cooled) versions, the photos below will help.
While there may be detail differences between different series engines, the underlying shape of the flywheel housing will resemble one of the two shown below and will give you the rotation.


   Images courtesy of Realdiesels.co.uk                 
                                                                   Clockwise Rotation                          Anti-clockwise Rotation

Engine Series and Motors
LD, LR, SL, SR, ST.   Single cylinder versions only. Standard rotation - clockwise.

The starter motor for the singles is peculiar to them and not interchangeable with motors from the multi cylinder variants.  All 12 volt.

Clockwise engine: Motor, Lister  201-15120,     201-13270
Anti-clock engine: Motor, Lister  201-15121,    201-13271

Availability. Intermittently available as rebuilt units from online suppliers. Almost without exception, you will have to have a like for like exchange unit in order to purchase.

Can I convert my hand start single cylinder to electric start ?   Yes -- but the cost generally makes it completely uneconomic unless the engine still properly works for its living.
Apart from a motor, for a conversion the engine needs to be fitted with a cast flywheel housing (as opposed to a sheet steel housing); a flywheel with ring gear; appropriate mounting studs.

LD, LR, SL, SR  Two and three cylinder versions.  Standard rotation - clockwise.  All 12 volt.

None of the multi cylinder motors are suitable for the single cylinder engines.

Clockwise engine: LD, LR, SL, most SR. Motor, Lister 202-17010. Completely obsolete and unobtainable, as far as we are aware.  We offer a conversion kit to a later motor for this application.
                                Later SR.  If your SR2 or SR3 has six stud holes drilled in the flywheel housing and the existing motor uses the larger set of spacings, then it is Motor, Lister 204-13273, 366-08053.
                                Availability of the later motor is generally OK.
Anti-clock engine: LD, LR, SL, most SR. Motor, Lister 201-17011.   Generally available.
                                Later SR.  If your SR2 or SR3 has six stud holes drilled in the flywheel housing and the existing motor uses the larger set of spacings, then it is Motor, Lister 204-13270. Generally available.

Can I convert my hand start engine to electric start ?   Yes -- but apart from a motor, for a conversion the engine needs to be fitted with a cast flywheel housing (as opposed to a sheet steel housing); a flywheel with ring gear; appropriate mounting studs and distance piece. Obviously, the fewer of those pieces you have, the more expensive the job becomes.

SL4, SR4, SL4M, SR4M, SW (Water cooled).  All anti-clock rotation.  All 12 volt.

Lister, Motor  204-13270. Generally available.

Lister ST2, ST3.  Standard rotation - clockwise.  Predominantly 12 volt. but 24 volt was offered on marine versions.
Lister STW2, STW3. (Water cooled) All clockwise rotation.

Clockwise engines: Motor,  12V Lister 204-13273, 366-08053.    Generally available. Motor, 24V.  Lister 366-03659. Some availability; predominantly exchange, although not insulated return as the original.
Anti-clock engines.  Motor,  12V Lister 204-13270.  Generally available.  Motor, 24V.  Lister 366-04487                      Some availability; predominantly exchange, although not insulated return as the original.

HA, HB, HL, HR, HRS, HS, HW (Water cooled) , HRW. (Water cooled) 2, 3, 4 and 6 cylinder versions.   Standard rotation -- anti-clock.  Predominantly anti-clock, but clockwise rotation available on HA and HR 2 and 3 cylinder versions.
Note -- on the H series, starter motors are fitted  on engines with a steel plate fan shroud, as well as cast.  4 and 6 cylinder versions and water cooled do not have a shaped flywheel housing.

The vast majority of all H series engines are fitted with starter motors commonly referred to as  a  'CA45' pattern motor. You need to confirm whether your motor is 12 or 24 volt as both options were available on all engines.
Rebuilt motors are typically available online, but you will need a like for like unit to exchange if you wish to purchase from most rebuilders. CA45 motors are expensive and there are now a variety of other motors advertised as being a substitute for them, typically at a lower cost.  Be careful if considering an alternative. The correct motors have thirteen teeth and a power rating of 3.6KW upwards. We have seen a case where a substitute motor with
an incorrect tooth count (12 is typical) having gradually caused damage due to incorrect meshing seized the engine due to jamming in place with the ring gear.  No idea about all of them, but certainly some of the alternative
motors offered are well down on power, also.

Some HL series engines were fitted with a more commonplace type pre-engaged starter. This appears to be a significantly scarce item and you will likely be looking at having your existing unit rebuilt. If this is not possible,
conversion to the more commonly fitted CA45 pattern is not difficult providing the starter distance piece is changed.

Anti-clock engines, CA45 pattern,  12V. Lister, motor  351-31460.  12V Insulated Return, 351-36920
                                                            24V. Lister, motor  351-31970.  24V Insulated Return  351-36940

Lucas pre-engaged pattern motor, HL.  12V. 351-59550   

Clockwise rotation engines.           12V. Lister, motor  351-31470     24V .   351-31980

Lister Alpha Series Engines.  LPA, LPW, LPWG LPWS, LPWT  All versions are anti-clock rotation.

Motor suppliers and motor shapes have changed over time, but essentially it is a reasonably simple picture for the Alpha series. Overwhelmingly, Alpha series engines are 12 volt, but there is a 24 volt option.

All 2 cylinder versions have a  12V 1.4KW  motor, optional on three cylinder versions.  Lister, motor   757-17980,  757-21700
All 4 cylinder versions have a 12V 2.0KW motor, optional on three cylinder versions.   Lister, motor   757-17970,  757-26450

Early marine engines had insulated return motors, but so far as we are aware these are now unobtainable.

24 volt  Lister, motor  751-15580,  757-31290

Lister T Series.  TL, TS, TR, TX.  All versions anti-clock rotation.

Predominantly 12 volt, with 24 volt available as an option.

12V  Lister, motor 202-42470,  202-34960, 202-34963
24V, Pre-engaged pattern. Lister, motor 202-38600,  202-44940
24V CA45 (coaxial) pattern. Lister, motor 366-07703

Lister LT and LV Series.  Clockwise and ant-clock rotation available.

Predominantly single cylinder, but over time both have been offered as a twin cylinder. In either case, electric starting was only available on anti-clock rotation engines. 12 volt only. With the LT and LV, the flywheel housing does not offer much clue to rotation, so it's either a case of physically checking, or looking at the engine number plate if still present. Typically for an anti-clock engine the plate will show 'LT1A' for example, with the 'A' indicating anti-clock.

Early single cylinder versions.  2 stud fixing. Lister, motor  602-37110.  Unobtainable as far as we are aware. May be replaced with 602-37111 (3 stud fixing), if used with distance piece 602-36930
Early twin cylinder versions. 2 stud fixing. Lister, motor 602-37090, 602-37091, 602-37092. All unobtainable as far as we are aware. May be replaced with 602-37111 (3 stud fixing) if used with distance piece  602-36930.
All later versions, single and twin cylinder. Lister, motor 602-37111.  If your motor is a three stud fixing, this is the one you already have.

Can I retro-fit electric start ? If your engine is anti-clock rotation, then yes you can but the cost is likely to make it wholly uneconomic. Often fitted in conjunction with a charge windings set up, the best bet by a mile is to find a complete donor engine.

Lister (Petter) AA, AB, AC and AD Series. Available in clockwise or anti-clock rotation.  All 12 volt. Air cooled.

AA Series. No electric start offered.
AB Series. Electric starting by Dynastart system. (Combined dynamo / starter, connected by belt to engine pulley). No detail available regarding rotation. Dynastart units are available; search online. Best to quote any numbers
                  you can find on your existing unit.  Original Petter numbers --  Unit mounted gear end  AAL9A.  Unit mounted flywheel end  AAL9
AC1 (Single cyl.) Series 1 engines (injector horizontal in head).  Clockwise rotation only. ACL9,  375850
AC1 (Single cyl.) Series 2 engines (injector vertical in head)  Clockwise rotation.  Lister / Petter motor   375850.   Anti-clock. 375840
AC2  (Twin cyl.)  Anti-clock rotation.  Lister / Petter motor -  ACL9A,  275156
AD1  (Single cyl.)  Clockwise rotation.  Lister / Petter motor  375850.  Anti-clock. 375840
AD2 (Twin cyl.) Anti-clock rotation. Lister, motor 275156

Lister Petter AB1W,  AC1W (Petter Mini Six), AC2W (Petter Mini Twin).   Water cooled. All 12 volt.

AB1W.   Clockwise Rot. Lister/ Petter motor ACL9,  375850
AC1W.  (Mini Six)   Clockwise Rot. Lister/ Petter motor ACL9, 375850
AC2W  (Mini Twin)  Anti-clock.  Lister / Petter motor 275156

Lister JA, JAS, JW, JWSC6   (Not JP)

All versions, 24 volt, Lister motor  396-17400.

Differing versions of the parts information suggest a change of pattern of motor at some point, from SL5 to CA45. In either event, the odds of finding a new one off the shelf are relatively slim.
Alternative motors are shown online, but do read the HR section further up the page regarding alternatives. Realistically, the best option is a rebuilt exchange, but be sure to check the number
on your existing motor to ensure compatibility with the intended replacement.