Walker Roll-A-Car jack restoration

KMinAF · Feb 22, 2012

I picked up an old Walker jack a few weeks ago and have since started to restore/rebuild it. I have attached several pics and will continue to do so until the job is complete.

Here is the project:

Does anyone know what the two screws are for next to the name plate? One seems to be a "blind" hole and the other goes directly into the reservoir.

KMinAF · Feb 22, 2012

Disassembly

KMinAF · Feb 22, 2012

Learned something new (I think)

Check out the two bolts that hold what looks like a collar for the ram, there is a collar for the large ram and a second for the small one. I didn't understand why they were drilled for wire and why they were only finger tight until I realized that the seal they press against is felt (maybe leather?) and when the bolts are tightened the taper of the collar expands the seal tighter against the cylinder.
Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken.

KMinAF · Feb 22, 2012

Here are pictures of the seals and the endcaps/seals for the rams:

KMinAF · Feb 22, 2012

Everything has been disassembled and sand blasted:

KMinAF · Feb 22, 2012

The guy at the paint store said this is the stuff that is used on industrial equipment. I chose a blue that closely matches the blue paint that I found under the red.

KMinAF · Feb 22, 2012

Here are all of the seals and parts for the ram assembly. Anyone know where I can get replacement felt seals? The "adjusting" collars that I mentioned in an earlier post are in the upper left of the picture.

davesnothere · Feb 22, 2012

That's a badass jack dude!

Hiball · Feb 22, 2012

Im sure i have the Leather Piston seals and Packing in stock.

Steven

ndnchf · Feb 23, 2012

That is a cool jack - how old is it?

Rust · Feb 23, 2012

Awsome Jack,That will be amazing all painted up and operational.

CRTDI · Feb 23, 2012

Nice progress on your project. Your piston and ram look to be in good shape. I'm sure this will be real sweet jack when it's all done.

oldjacks · Feb 23, 2012

ndnchf said:
That is a cool jack - how old is it?

That is Walker's first hydraulic floor jack which they started making in 1928.

twincam00 · Feb 23, 2012

neat jack, cant wait to see more progress

KMinAF · Mar 21, 2012

The weather finally warmed up enough for me to paint all of the pieces. I chose a blue that was similar to the original color. I am unsure however if there were any accent colors i.e. handle or wheels an offset color. If you have info on the original color scheme please let me know.

cubfarm 1 · Mar 21, 2012

Great job!

CRTDI · Mar 22, 2012

KMinAF said:
The weather finally warmed up enough for me to paint all of the pieces. I chose a blue that was similar to the original color. I am unsure however if there were any accent colors i.e. handle or wheels an offset color. If you have info on the original color scheme please let me know.

I know the jacks in this catalog are not the same as yours, but I believe the similar styled 745 and 780 models should be close examples of what your jack should look like.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114433&highlight=walker+stars

Also, thanks to oldjacks, this thread has a pic of your model jack in a period catalog.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85744&highlight=walker

Rocket1 · Mar 22, 2012

That's an awesome jack. Can't wait to see it completed

KMinAF · Mar 22, 2012

Thanks for the posting, it looks like it was a solid blue throughout. I would love to get a reproduction of that catalog, it would make a nice accessory to the jack.

CRTDI said:
I know the jacks in this catalog are not the same as yours, but I believe the similar styled 745 and 780 models should be close examples of what your jack should look like.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114433&highlight=walker+stars

Also, thanks to oldjacks, this thread has a pic of your model jack in a period catalog.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85744&highlight=walker

Ancient Iron · Mar 23, 2012

I have the same jack , but mine is a series "C" I was also wondering how old it is My friend has one that is similar but is mechanical . How old is that one????

KMinAF · Mar 23, 2012

Here is another pic, this one is of the release valve.

KMinAF · Mar 23, 2012

Ancient Iron said:
I have the same jack , but mine is a model "C" I was also wondering how old it is My friend has one that is similar but is mechanical . How old is that one????

Check out "OldJacks" post a few pages up, it would seem to have been made around 1928

Ancient Iron · Mar 23, 2012

I will Thankyou

Grape Ape · Apr 7, 2012

Very nice! How are you coming along?

KMinAF · Apr 7, 2012

Just waiting on some seals which should be here soon, reassemble, one last finish coat of paint and I am done!

scott37300 · Apr 7, 2012

KMinAF said:
Just waiting on some seals which should be here soon, reassemble, one last finish coat of paint and I am done!

Are you spraying your paint? I'm working on a blackhawk jack and getting ready to blast and paint it. I started a thread about painting it and getting all kinds advice. Did you spray it or brush it on? If sprayed could you describe a little about the process, primer, etc? Did you use a hardener mixed in the paint? Will the paint hold up against things like brake fluid and what not? Where did you get your paint and what were the costs.

Nealcrenshaw · Apr 7, 2012

Looking good

KMinAF · Apr 10, 2012

scott37300 said:
Are you spraying your paint? I'm working on a blackhawk jack and getting ready to blast and paint it. I started a thread about painting it and getting all kinds advice. Did you spray it or brush it on? If sprayed could you describe a little about the process, primer, etc? Did you use a hardener mixed in the paint? Will the paint hold up against things like brake fluid and what not? Where did you get your paint and what were the costs.

I used an "entry level" HVLP spray gun that I only paid about $20.00 for and it worked just fine. I first applied a rattle can self etching primer that I had from an earlier auto body repair job. I thinned the paint down using Naptha and applied several light coats. I will apply a finish coat after it has been reassembled just to finish off all the nuts and bolts. The paint is an industrial quality that is used on heavy machinery and is as close to a powder coat durable finish that you can get. I bought the paint at Jones Paint and Glass a local contractor supply house and it cost about $15.00 a quart

KMinAF · Apr 23, 2012

After receiving the seals, I immediately placed them in ATF to soak. I began assembly a couple nights later by first installing the retaining ring, collar and seals on the ram and then inserting the ram into the housing.

With the ram protruding through the opposite side I installed the cups, washers and nuts being careful to leave a little bit of play so that the cup could center itself in the bore. I then gently tapped the assy back into the bore and finished tightening the nuts.

Then I installed the rope seals in the outer recesses of the collars.

And that is as far as I could go this evening.

KMinAF · Apr 25, 2012

The assembled resevoir and ram:

I had to back track a few times to get the assembly sequence right. Here I had prematurely attached the rear handle bracket and saddle assy:

To do it correctly the handle, release lever and bracket are installed as an assembly. Also note that the forward bolts in the pic are longer than the rest to accomodate the wheel brackets:

KMinAF · Apr 25, 2012

Another back track, there are two of these little brackets (see arrow) that need to go on before installing the side brackets for the saddle.

KMinAF · Apr 25, 2012

Done!

I left the hardware bare because I liked the contrast but I worry if it will stay looking nice. Should I put a final coat over everything? What is your opinion?

KMinAF · Apr 25, 2012

This thing is BIG!

It works!

Before:

After:

Hiball · Apr 25, 2012

Looks Good... :thumbup:

Im glad i could assist in the Seals.

Bull · Apr 25, 2012

Dude, that thing rules. It takes up a lot of space, but it's cool that you brought it back from the dead like that. Looks brand new.

KMinAF · Apr 25, 2012

So, the question is now what do I do? This is one of those projects where I really enjoyed the work. It took a long time but I learned a lot in the process and made some new acquaintances. The fun was definitely in the journey and the finished product was definitely worth the effort. I guess now I will see if I can get that Supra up and running.

sharkytm · Apr 25, 2012

I'd say leave the hardware bare, just oil it up. I think it provides a nice contrast to the blue paint.

KMinAF · Apr 25, 2012

Hiball said:
Looks Good... Im glad i could assist in the Seals.

Thanks, I couldn't have done it without those seals, they worked great!

twincam00 · Apr 25, 2012

Turned out great! good work :thumbup:

Elroy · Apr 25, 2012

Looks good

Extra nice

Walker Roll-A-Car jack restoration

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