Another Blackhawk SJ-18 restoration...

[jxxxoxxxe]

So I've been looking for an old American made jack for awhile. I actually wanted (and still want) a 4 ton jack, but when I came across this, I had to have it.

I got it for $60...

I'll let the pics speak for themselves...

And finally, the bad part that is obviously gonna be the most trouble...

I've already done some searching and found a few good threads on this specific model. I thought I'd link to them from this thread to so we can see what it should look like finished...


Blackhawk JS-18 Floor Jack

Blackhawk SJ 18 -- Progress Report

Restored SJ-18 Blackhawk Floor Jack


So I'm sure I'll be sending a few guys some PM's in the coming days, Garry Carter, HiBall, CRTDI..



I plan on a full strip down, blast, then either powder coat, or paint. I want to use it. Its going to need a seal kit for sure. From a quick inspection when I unloaded it from my truck, the U joint looks to be complete which seems good. The unit cover has a few dents that I can hopefully get straight...I think just getting it cleaned up will go a long ways...


I guess I need to use the search to find the parts breakdowns, and some of the manuals and advertisements that have been posted....

When were these things manufactured anyway?

 

[SweetD]

Super-cool opportunity for you. I hope you can get it done!

Dave

 

[CRTDI]

When were these things manufactured anyway?

oldjacks believes they came out in about 1950. I've seen them at the latest in a 1955 catalog. I can't say for sure how long or if they were still produced after 1955.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86255

Hiball can help you source the parts to rebuild the hydraulic unit.

Have you located a replacement handle and knob assy?

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

oldjacks believes they came out in about 1950. I've seen them at the latest in a 1955 catalog. I can't say for sure how long or if they were still produced after 1955.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86255

Hiball can help you source the parts to rebuild the hydraulic unit.

Have you located a replacement handle and knob assy?

I was thinking the 50's....


I was out of town all weekend, so hopefully will get to make some progress this week.

Not sure about the handle yet...I need to call the place in Florida that someone recommended in another thread.

I'll probably send HiBall a message in the next few days about a seal kit too...


I need/want to start to disassemble it, but would like to locate the handle first..

 

[930dreamer]

WOW, nice score on the Blackhawk jack.

 

[1948]

super cooool

 

[-Brent-]

I wonder how hard it'll be to find a handle? I'll keep my eyes peeled as I'm always looking at vintage tools. Really neat jack.

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

I called a jack repair place, and the lady said she'd have to look for parts. She said part numbers would help.

I'm working with Bull right now to get all his Blackhawk literature so I can get it scanned for all of us...

 

[CRTDI]

I called a jack repair place, and the lady said she'd have to look for parts. She said part numbers would help.

I'm working with Bull right now to get all his Blackhawk literature so I can get it scanned for all of us...

Try these:

Jack handle cross bar...............P/N, SJ18.145

Release valve knob..................P/N, S15.147-1

Knob retaining plunger.............P/N, S1.146

Knob retaining plunger spring...P/N, 906G-1

 

[CRTDI]

SJ-18 available on CL...

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/tls/2892847277.html

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

Thanks CRTDI...i'll check back with the jack place tomorrow and tell them the part numbers...

Wish I was closer to that one in PA...I could part my current one out to help a few people out...

 

[dabuickman1]

I just emailed the Harrisburg C.L. jack. Its probably an hour from my work. I'll let you guys know. I have always wanted a cool floor jack to restore.

 

[dabuickman1]

So I picked up the jack today. Thanks for the heads-up. Its a really neat design. I like the handle and how it adjusts to three different settings. Now I need to buy a rebuild kit for the pump. I also need the pad, its the thingy that touches the body when lifted. I might have an extra one that fits.

 

[CRTDI]

So I picked up the jack today. Thanks for the heads-up. Its a really neat design. I like the handle and how it adjusts to three different settings. Now I need to buy a rebuild kit for the pump. I also need the pad, its the thingy that touches the body when lifted. I might have an extra one that fits.

Glad you were able to get it. Send Hiball a PM, he should be able to source a rebuild kit for you. Please post up some pics when you get a chance.

 

[HCRCnow]

Lint to seal kit
http://www.hcrcnow.com/view-product.php?kit_id=514

 

[HCRCnow]

If you need the parts drawing, get me your email address.

 

[Hiball]

Hiball can help you source the parts to rebuild the hydraulic unit.

I apreciate the Plug, I just dont sell enough of these kits to warrant putting them together. Anyone looking for these Vintage Blackhawk Jack Kits should get in contact with blackhawkparts.com They are just about the Cheapest around.. I believe there Price is around $85 bucks for the SJ18 Kit. As Always, I do have some Hard parts in stock and might be able to fill some voids..

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

So I picked up the jack today. Thanks for the heads-up. Its a really neat design. I like the handle and how it adjusts to three different settings. Now I need to buy a rebuild kit for the pump. I also need the pad, its the thingy that touches the body when lifted. I might have an extra one that fits.

Any pics?

I apreciate the Plug, I just dont sell enough of these kits to warrant putting them together. Anyone looking for these Vintage Blackhawk Jack Kits should get in contact with blackhawkparts.com They are just about the Cheapest around.. I believe there Price is around $85 bucks for the SJ18 Kit. As Always, I do have some Hard parts in stock and might be able to fill some voids..

What hard parts do you have for the SJ18?

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

I want to thank HCRCnow for sending me the parts list and parts diagram for the Blackhawk SJ18 (SJ-18).



They were in PDF format, so the diagram was broken down onto 2 pages. So I captured them, and remade them into 1 image in photoshop...This way they can be shared with everyone easily...



I left them as pretty large pictures, so click the thumbnail to see the full size...

 

[Hiball]

What hard parts do you have for the SJ18?

I would have to know what you need, Alot of these Old blackhawk jacks shared parts throughout Different Models. I dont have any SJ18's laying around but i do have a few Other Models along with Bins/Drawers full of Old Parts.

 

[Zeke]

That thing is dead on ****. I could really get into old tools should something like that appear on the horizon. Thing is, out here in L.A., that would be 600, not 60.

 

[dabuickman1]

Ill get a few pics soon. I've been busy working around the house after work.

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

I would have to know what you need, Alot of these Old blackhawk jacks shared parts throughout Different Models. I dont have any SJ18's laying around but i do have a few Other Models along with Bins/Drawers full of Old Parts.

Well here's a start of just things I can think of, and notice while sitting in the house...

44 - Name Plate - 1.26E
89 - Jack Handle Cross Bar - SJ18.145
93 - Retainer Plunger Spring - 906G-1
94 - Retainer Plunger - S1.146
95 - Release Valve Knob - s15 147-1
96 - Lock Cylinder - S15.324
97 - Lock Key - S15.325
111 - Prong Gear - SJ18.228A

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

Well here's a start of just things I can think of, and notice while sitting in the house...

44 - Name Plate - 1.26E
89 - Jack Handle Cross Bar - SJ18.145
93 - Retainer Plunger Spring - 906G-1
94 - Retainer Plunger - S1.146
95 - Release Valve Knob - s15 147-1
96 - Lock Cylinder - S15.324
97 - Lock Key - S15.325
111 - Prong Gear - SJ18.228A

Looks like I'll be pulling the following off my older S4 to fit to my SJ18 hopefully....

89 - Jack Handle Cross Bar - SJ18.145
93 - Retainer Plunger Spring - 906G-1
94 - Retainer Plunger - S1.146
95 - Release Valve Knob - s15 147-1
96 - Lock Cylinder - S15.324
97 - Lock Key - S15.325



I'll still be needing the 111 - Prong Gear - SJ18.228A, and 44 - Name Plate - 1.26E...




It seems like the gears almost all of these are broken/missing. Does anyone know of a source for the prong/crown gears? Something new would be nice, or something to retrofit....

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

I started tearing down the sj18 in the last few days...


2 things have me stuck...the pivot pin for the lift arm is apparently seized badly. I can not get it to move either direction to come out, but it spins with the arm as it goes up and down. The stud that i think is supposed to be installed to keep the pin from moving is missing, so unless there's something else I'm not seeing, I'm soaking with penetration oil and hoping for the best...

It's the same story with the jack handle and the lower jack handle yoke. They are seized together like you wouldn't believe. I've tried heat, and penetrating oil on it to no avail...



I also tore down the older S4 to use the upper handle portion off of....

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

Long time...no update or work done...got a little side tracked, there are currently 14 motorized vehicles in my shop that aren't cars or mowers...lol...


Anyway, I got the pump torn down, cleaned, and powder coated in the last day or 2...

I've got my parts kit, and everything seems to match up except one thing. If you notice on the lower left, there are 3 seals, with one below it, making 4 total..

These are the old ones, but according to the diagram and my new parts kit, there should only be 3, not 4 as it had in it. I'm on the fence about what to do. I think I'm just going to put the 3 new ones back in, and forget there was a 4th, unless someone has a good reason I should add the extra???

I've got most of the other parts blasted and cleaned..the only other hold up I can think of for now will be a broken prong on one of the gears for the release...

I hope to have this thing going within a month now as long as I don't get side tracked again...

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

Had a friend make me up a large laminated printout of the parts diagram. Its came in pretty handy so far...I figure when I'm done that I'm just going to hang it on the wall as decoration..

The pump is back together

I actually mounted it back in the base today and loosely hooked up the linkages and pumped it up and down a few times. No leaks, and it seems good for now. My only concern is the pump packing gland nut being beaten to hell...Whomever was in it before really did a number on it...



I can tell someone has been in the pump before from the beating they put on one that gland nut, but I was surprised to find the lead safety plug over the adjustment screw though...

The wheels and axle definitely need some work. I didnt take a measurement yet on the gap, but it's obviously huge. I am thinking about using some bronze bushing material to tighten everything up and help with wear..The rear wheel/axle combo is about the same way..

I was afraid this was going to be a major problem when I first got the jack...

After cleaning it up and getting a good look at it, I noticed that the prongs just appeared to be pressed in...Sure enough, I tapped the broken one out from the back...

Does anyone have any of these prong gears they want to sell? Even if its missing some prongs too...I wouldn't mind having a few backups...If I cant find any, I guess Ill try turning a few out on my lathe...



Hopefully I can make some progress on the wheels by this weekend. I need to get some 1/4" ball bearings for the rear wheels. There are quite a few missing on the rotating part..

I've got the handle and the yoke in an electrolysis bath right now trying to east some rust away and penetrate them enough that I can get them separated...

 

[curly8888]

Man you got lucky in my eyes I would love an old jack like that
Made in the day when things had style not just flat bar

 

[curly8888]

Man you got lucky in my eyes I would love an old jack like that
Made in the day when things had style not just flat bar

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

More progress today...PM'd Hiball to see if he any any of the prong gears. He said he didnt, but would check with a couple friends of his...I definitely appreciate that...

I called Tri City Hydraulic Jack in Florida to check also, but didnt get ahold of anyone...


I got the yoke off the handle today, and should be able to powder coat it tomorrow...


Got 1/4" bearings for the rear wheels, but couldnt find any bronze bushing or sleeves that would come close to fitting the axles. I am going to just buy some bronze stock and make them myself...



Best part of the evening was this...

I decided that just in case Hiball couldn't find any of the prongs for the gear, I would try to make one just to see if I could...I think it came out pretty good. not quite the exact shape of the original, but i figured maybe leaving the base a little larger would help to not shear off like the one pictured from last nights post....Tapped it in with a hammer, and it seems good to go...

Pain in the rear to make as the head diameter is .185, and the pressed in part is ~.127. also, not ball turner, i shaped it by hand....


hopefully i can get it rolling tomorrow as long as i can find some bronze...

 

[1948]

i would have hardened it before installing, heat it up red hot and toss it in some oil while red hot.

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

i would have hardened it before installing, heat it up red hot and toss it in some oil while red hot.

Good idea... I'll do that to both of them before the final install...

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

Got bushings made from solid stock for the front axle and wheels...

Then decided that the rear axle, wheel, caster bracket was so worn that I just decided to make a complete new axle to fit the caster. Bore the wheel slightly, press in bushing, and re-bore to match the new axle...

I may end up making a new front axle, just because I dont like how much wear there is between it and the frame...Should roll fine in the new bushings though...



I wonder...CRTDI, Garry Carter, and any other restorations I've seen havent mentioned the axle problems or major amounts of wear...Maybe mine was drug across the U.S. behind a car...


It should be lifting something tomorrow....we'll see...

 

[XGreaser]

Hi there Hiball,
I was wondering if you have any parts for this jack 80s import jack ( you can see it on my album under my profile) and can recommend some one who might be interested in rebuilding it ?

Thanks,
Ross

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

So I needed to figure something out with the twist knob to release the pressure. The lock was stuck, so it wouldn't kick the tab out to catch on the release rod...

I took my S4 knob apart and had a key made for it, as the lock was still in good shape. Since they're basically the same I found another lock cylinder that matched the S4 one. I got it all assembled today...



These are the knob parts with the lock. I need to get an idea ⅛" spring for the release tab..

I'm pretty happy.. Everything functions as it should, and it doesn't look bad.... Although it doesn't look as good as CRTDI's or Garry Carter's. I powder coated everything instead of using any body filler and smoothing it all out...


The T handle is actually off a first generation S4 since my original one was broken, as shown on the first page...

I still need to get a couple flat and oval head screws to match some originals that were missing....
It rolls like a dream though.... Lol

 

[1948]

great job man! i like it a lot. i had one like it a while ago but it was broken and didnt feel like taking on this job! i havent ever messed with one before so i was pretty intimidated. my friend who i gave it to might still have it tho, ill have to see.

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

great job man! i like it a lot. i had one like it a while ago but it was broken and didnt feel like taking on this job! i havent ever messed with one before so i was pretty intimidated. my friend who i gave it to might still have it tho, ill have to see.

Thanks...If I had someone trying to give me another, I'd still take it...

Dont be intimidated, you wont learn anything without trying....this was the first jack I've ever rebuilt...



Next up is going to by my Blackhawk S4. Everything on it functions correctly, but now I want it to look as nice as the SJ18. I think I'll just tear it down, give it a good cleaning, and powdercoat it the same color red...

I also have a Lincoln 93657 that needs the pump rebuilt. I have the kit to do it, but its on the back burner now that I have the S4..

 

[930dreamer]

Nice work on the Blackhawk jack.

 

[uniballer]

jxxxoxxxe What are you going to do with the left over parts from the handle?

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

jxxxoxxxe What are you going to do with the left over parts from the handle?

What parts are you talking about exactly?