WD1 and WD2
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| Manufacturer : | Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company, Witton, Birmingham, England |
| Model : | WD |
| Fuel : | Petrol (gasoline) |
| Ignition type : | Spark, high tension Wico series A magneto Four stroke cycle |
| Output : | 1.5 HP @ 700 rpm (speed range 550 - 800 rpm) Also available in a 2.5 HP version |
| Cylinder size | 3" bore x 3½" stroke |
| Production period : | September 1943 (engine # 3003) to February 1945 (engine # 6550) |
| Notes : | Originally made under Government contract (War
Department, hence WD designation) and was a development of the Ruston-Hornsby
PT engine. Succeeded by the WD2 type. |
| Manufacturer : | Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company, Witton, Birmingham, England |
| Model : | WD2 (shown as WD II on the engines identification plate and often mis-interpreted as eleven) |
| Fuel : | Petrol (gasoline) |
| Ignition type : | Spark, high tension Wico series A magneto Four stroke cycle |
| Output : | 1.5 HP @ 580 rpm (Max. 2 HP @ 800 rpm) Also available as 2/2.5 HP @ 800/100 rpm and 2.5/3 HP @ 1000/a250 rpm |
| Cylinder size | 3" bore x 3½" stroke |
| Production period : | March 1945 (engine # 7000) to March 1949 (engine # 24004) |
| Notes : | The engine design was updated with modified hopper
(finned to improve cooling), main bearings (tapered seats), crankshaft (cast
instead of built up) and simplified camshaft and magneto drive spindle
mountings. Succeeded by the WD8 type (1949 to 1961) which was in turn succeeded by the WD9 (1961 -?). These later developments were also offered with alternative fuels (paraffin and gas). An air cooled version was also available. The WLB series of engines were similar, but had a greater output and modified hoppers. |
This example of the WD or WD1 was purchased from a fellow enthusiast in something approaching working order, though it needs some attention and a new fuel tank and other small parts to make it complete and properly functional. These engines have smooth hoppers, simpler main bearings compared to the WD2, and the magneto drive is more like its Ruston PT ancestor than its WD2 successor. Reputedly from a concrete mixer, this engine has OHMS (On His Magesty's Service) stamped on the flywheel crown indicating true WD (War Depertment) origins?
The Wolseley production records were destroyed in a factory fire, so precise dating is not possible, but assuming a steady rate of production number 3856 dates to the end of 1943 or very early in 1944.
 Flywheel side (flywheel removed) |
 Front |
 Starting handle side |
This example of the WD2 was purchased at the Russell auction at Hollycombe in April 1996 in derelict condition. The engine probably dates to the end of 1946/early 1947 based on the number sequence and production period, assuming a constant production rate.
I didn't work on it daily, so it took nearly a year to get to this stage.....
Today, after spending well in excess of the purchase price on replacement parts (mostly for the magneto, fuel tank and silencer), the engine generally runs well, though sometimes throws a "wobbly" and speeds up for no apparent reason and starts to dance about on concrete surfaces. One of the main restoration tasks was to replace the main crankshaft bearings. As built the engine had one bronze bearing and one in whitemetal. I have made a mould to cast a whitemetal blank which can be machined to the correct dimensions for WD1, WD2, Ruston PT and Ruston PB (1.5HP) engines. As far as I know I am currently the sole supplier of new bearings for these engines in the UK.
I will update this page with more details of the restoration when time permits.