Deep, deep within the insides of a Lister SR2, we find the crankshaft and bearings. This engine has turned up as it has an unpleasant rumble in it’s guts – a tricky thing to diagnose. Having pulled it apart, this is what i found:

Big end 1:

Not too bad, this one. A little scoring in the centre where the oil feed is, not unexpected in an engine without a modern filter

Big End 2:

This one is similar, except that the white metal has worn through in one place (where my fingertip is). I will check this rod for straightness and see if there is anything on the back of the shell

Crankshaft:

All bearings nice and shiny, no nasty scores or pick-ups. I’m not too sure about the diameter of the front bearing so I’m going to seek professionally advice on this

Thrust bearings:

Not easy to tell with these, I’ll replace them anyway

Rear main bearing:

Similar to one of the big ends really. A bit tired but generally OK

Front main bearing:

Not easy to see this, the white metal is worn through on the edge on the far side.

And finally (Cyril), the centre main bearing:

Right, that’s it – the main bearings are shot! This shell has lost just about all of the white metal, this is where the rumble is!

Off to the local engine reconditioner to get the crankshaft assessed

Richard