Rebuild Old Walker Floor Jack??

BB767 · Dec 28, 2009

I have a wonderful, old, large 1950's era 4 ton Walker floor jack that is leaking fluid. I have had limited success trying to find a rebuild service kit or a business that will rebuild it for me. They all said to just replace the whole jack which I will not do. My feeling is cost is not a factor. It lasted many years and I expect it will do so again if rebuild properly. Has anyone had any experience or advice along a similar situation? Thank you.

Thomas

tatra · Dec 28, 2009

boy have you come to the right place..........few guys are into jacks here............post pics , info tag, colour .............

back2class · Dec 28, 2009

I had a wonderful oldWerner jack like that rebuilt at a hydraulic shop for $100. Leaked even after, so I just threw it away and got a $80 Craftsman unit. Waste of money fixing that old jack.

ears · Dec 28, 2009

back2class said:
I had a wonderful oldWerner jack like that rebuilt at a hydraulic shop for $100. Leaked even after, so I just threw it away and got a $80 Craftsman unit. Waste of money fixing that old jack.

Wish you would have thrown it my way.

vssjim · Dec 28, 2009

http://www.blackhawkparts.com/ these guys have parts and I would recommend doing it yourself unless you are sure the rebuilder really cares about doing a good job. I did my thirty year old Walker and it works perfectly good, just like new just. Take alittle time and its not too hard to do.

evintho · Dec 28, 2009

Hiball.....................where are you?

He'll see this thread and will be checking in soon. He's the resident jack guru!

Hiball · Dec 28, 2009

BB767 said:
I have a wonderful, old, large 1950's era 4 ton Walker floor jack that is leaking fluid. I have had limited success trying to find a rebuild service kit or a business that will rebuild it for me. They all said to just replace the whole jack which I will not do. My feeling is cost is not a factor. It lasted many years and I expect it will do so again if rebuild properly. Has anyone had any experience or advice along a similar situation? Thank you.

Thomas

I can supply kits for those old walkers, 884? 784? J134? What do you have?

back2class said:
I had a wonderful oldWerner jack like that rebuilt at a hydraulic shop for $100. Leaked even after, so I just threw it away and got a $80 Craftsman unit. Waste of money fixing that old jack.

What a waste. Dont blame the jack, Blame the Shop and there lack of experience.

BB767 · Dec 28, 2009

tatra said:
boy have you come to the right place..........few guys are into jacks here............post pics , info tag, colour .............

tatra,
I will post what pictures and information I can. 3 years ago I restored a single post, in ground Rotary automotive lift that was made in the early 1930's and it now works perfectly. Many people advised me to forget it and put a modern lift in.

It was in the same shop that the Walker floor jack is in.

I like the old "stuff" and don't mind putting effort in to restore it. That's what I did with this whole old shop.

Thomas

ears · Dec 28, 2009

We need pics of that shop too. That is nice.

Hiball · Dec 28, 2009

Thats a Awesome shop, I have a buddy and his dad used to own some old texaco stations and he made a tribute gas station including pumps and old Model T pumper trucks. It looks amazing, as does your shop. Im guessing if your jack is from the 50's its probably a Walker 884, They were fairly common and basically the same jack that Hein Werner sells today as there 93657 for $1400 bucks. Normally there is a silver tag riveted at the base of the handle on the top side aprox 3" x 4". If it is from the 50's it either has a metal release rod with a big W on top or the newer models had the plastic knob. There are superb quality and they had the proper Quick lift even before it was Cool.

Bull · Dec 28, 2009

Whoah whoah whoah...have any more pics of the shop before you redid it? It looks awesome!

BB767 · Dec 28, 2009

I just found out about this site and already I can tell you're my kind of guys! I do have many pictures of my old shop.

Where on this site would be the "proper" place to post them?

Hiball, I'll look at the jack and see if I can find the data plate. As I recall the release knob is a large (aprox 3") chrome knob on the tee handle. The long frame covers the rear wheels like fenders. As you can tell from the "before" picture tools in that shop were well used and not especially well cared for. Not necessarily abused just used hard to make a living.

Thomas

Bull · Dec 28, 2009

Omigosh, this might be my new favorite shop, before and after. If you have lots of pics of "before," "during," and "after," we'd like to see them...as many as you feel like uploading!!

The "Garage Gallery" forum would be the best spot. Can't wait! :drool:

Hiball · Dec 28, 2009

BB767 said:
Hiball, I'll look at the jack and see if I can find the data plate. As I recall the release knob is a large (aprox 3") chrome knob on the tee handle. The long frame covers the rear wheels like fenders. As you can tell from the "before" picture tools in that shop were well used and not especially well cared for. Not necessarily abused just used hard to make a living.

Thomas

Those jacks were designed to be used hard and with there Solid Steel frames i would bet the worst part is probably the casters. Hell even the Id tag is almost always there, being it was riveted in each corner. I havent seen the jack but i can almost gurantee its a 884. Btw I sent you a PM.

Elroy · Dec 28, 2009

BB767 said:
I have a wonderful, old, large 1950's era 4 ton Walker floor jack that is leaking fluid. I have had limited success trying to find a rebuild service kit or a business that will rebuild it for me...... Has anyone had any experience or advice along a similar situation? Thank you.

Thomas

Be advised that Hiball is the man.

He expertly guided Elroy through his rebuilds:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36252

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18055

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40489

You're in good hands with Hiball

Aberdale · Dec 28, 2009

I'm interested in this thread as well. I have a Lincoln model 965747. Sounds similar to the Walker 884. The repair kit was still available a couple years ago, so I rebuilt the hydraulic cylinder and pumping pistons. It works better and doesn't leak anymore, but it still leaks down slowly under load.

Tim Cowan · Dec 28, 2009

Ask Hiball if you can get rubber casters for that dude. It would be a sin to run steel wheels on such a nice floor. My wife wouldn't stand for it.l

trackwelder · Dec 28, 2009

If you are looking for parts or a guy to rebuild it for you
Hiball is your man. He did my hein werner for me and it
works great. Hopefully I can post some pics with my new
camera soon.

jcd1026 · Dec 28, 2009

Hey everyone. Sorry to rush in on this thread, but you guys were talking about some Walker jacks... I have an old Walker that I'd like rebuild, but I can't find anything online to even acknowledge its existance. It's a Walker Air Lift, Model J-196 Series B 3000# front end lift. Ever heard of it?

Hiball · Dec 28, 2009

jcd1026 said:
Hey everyone. Sorry to rush in on this thread, but you guys were talking about some Walker jacks... I have an old Walker that I'd like rebuild, but I can't find anything online to even acknowledge its existance. It's a Walker Air Lift, Model J-196 Series B 3000# front end lift. Ever heard of it?

Check your PM's

evintho · Dec 28, 2009

BB767 said:
I just found out about this site and already I can tell you're my kind of guys! I do have many pictures of my old shop.

Where on this site would be the "proper" place to post them?

Thomas

DUDE!!! Stellar shop!!!!!!

BB767 · Jan 3, 2010

Hiball thanks for the PM. I finally!!!!!!!!!!! got around to looking at the Walker from the first of this post. It's a Walker 784, series E as I recall now. I just knew I'd remember when I got home so I didn't write it down. I do know it's a 78..... something. Data plate is there and I'll get accurate information to you before I ship it to you. It's in an unheated storage area where I'm keeping all the savable "stuff" from from shop. If you go to the Garage Gallery, under Restored 1930's Auto Shop you'll see what I'm talking about. That's where I posted further info on the shop. Many thanks for all input to get me headed in the right direction. Looks like Hiball is the man I've been looking for............wait a minute, that didn't sound right. What I mean to say is, he's the one.........no, that's not right either- Oh never mind!

Thomas

Hiball · Jan 3, 2010

BB767 said:
Hiball thanks for the PM. I finally!!!!!!!!!!! got around to looking at the Walker from the first of this post. It's a Walker 784, series E as I recall now. I just knew I'd remember when I got home so I didn't write it down. I do know it's a 78..... something. Data plate is there and I'll get accurate information to you before I ship it to you. It's in an unheated storage area where I'm keeping all the savable "stuff" from from shop. If you go to the Garage Gallery, under Restored 1930's Auto Shop you'll see what I'm talking about. That's where I posted further info on the shop. Many thanks for all input to get me headed in the right direction. Looks like Hiball is the man I've been looking for............wait a minute, that didn't sound right. What I mean to say is, he's the one.........no, that's not right either- Oh never mind!

Thomas

Yes, Ive been actively following your "Gallery" thread with great interest. I still can get 784 kits and when ever you decide what your plan of attack is just shoot me a P.M. Im normally on this site 16-17 hours a day LOL, At least thats what my fiance says.

BB767 · Jan 3, 2010

Hiball said:
Yes, Ive been actively following your "Gallery" thread with great interest. I still can get 784 kits and when ever you decide what your plan of attack is just shoot me a P.M. Im normally on this site 16-17 hours a day LOL, At least thats what my fiance says.

Oh oh, if you you've seen that post you actually might question my sanity!! As I first told you I like old stuff and have no problem putting effort in to restore quality material and I wasn't kidding! Once I get closer to actually starting the Walker project I'll get in touch with you.

Thomas

BB767 · Jan 28, 2010

Here are a couple of follow up pictures of the floor jack in question.

I will post the rest of the pictures on the Garage Gallery Forum under the thread " Restored 1930's Auto Shop" along with all the other old equipment from that shop.

While I'm here, you can see the original blue paint color in one of the side pictures. I plan on having it powder coated, does anyone know if that color is still available and if so where?

Thank you again to everyone who pointed me to HiBall. Between the two of us we should have this jack back to it's former glory.

Thomas

ears · Jan 28, 2010

The best looking floor jack ever made is a Walker very similar (or the same) as that one. I can't tell from the pics. Art-deco perfection. I missed one at auction in perfect shape, with a fresh rebuild sticker on the hydraulic unit. It hit $200 and I backed down, still kicking myself.

This was 6 or 8 months ago but I looked it over very well it was in original paint and in great shape. I will try and describe it for you. The handle had the "finger grips" that went to plastic/rubber on later models sort of curled down on the ends, can only see top view in your other thread but I think it is the same. The front had the same circular indent as your's, when viewed from the side it was a very pronounced swoopy low profile look, rounded over in the front. The handle was red on the top half like the yellow in later models. The saddle, wheels and ribs were all red as well with WALKER in white.

Looking at your other thread, you have white paint, may be an earlier/later paint scheme? Anyways just rambling, Damn that was a beautiful jack. Looking forward to see pics of this one when it is done.

Hiball · Jan 28, 2010

BB767 said:
Here are a couple of follow up pictures of the floor jack in question.

I will post the rest of the pictures on the Garage Gallery Forum under the thread " Restored 1930's Auto Shop" along with all the other old equipment from that shop.

While I'm here, you can see the original blue paint color in one of the side pictures. I plan on having it powder coated, does anyone know if that color is still available and if so where?

Thank you again to everyone who pointed me to HiBall. Between the two of us we should have this jack back to it's former glory.

Thomas

Hello Thomas, I got a couple hours sleep so i might be a little more coherent if you would like to give me a call. LOL...By the pics it looks like its complete including the cover plate etc. What do you think your next move is?

ears · Jan 28, 2010

Since you got me googling floor jack pics, here is a pic of one like yours. Looks like white was original, you can see where the handle on this one was two tone at some point in time.

http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?100209/3444/1

Hiball · Jan 28, 2010

ears said:
Since you got me googling floor jack pics, here is a pic of one like yours. Looks like white was original, you can see where the handle on this one was two tone at some point in time.

http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?100209/3444/1

Nah.. Walkers/Lincolns where always Blue, with the exception being the handle handle which went from white to Yellow thru the lincoln years and of course any jack that was sold thru Snap on which the Blue was replaced with Red.

ears · Jan 28, 2010

Hiball said:
Nah.. Walkers/Lincolns where always Blue, with the exception being the handle handle which went from white to Yellow thru the lincoln years and of course any jack that was sold thru Snap on which the Blue was replaced with Red.

I was meaning the paint on the ribs being white. So Walker never used red on trim or handles? I have seen quite a few older ones with remnants of red in places. In fact that ten ton I pm'ed you about has red on the spare parts kit. Popular repaint color I guess? It does look good at any rate.

Hiball · Jan 28, 2010

ears said:
I was meaning the paint on the ribs being white. So Walker never used red on trim or handles? I have seen quite a few older ones with remnants of red in places. In fact that ten ton I pm'ed you about has red on the spare parts kit. Popular repaint color I guess? It does look good at any rate.

The only Red that ive ever seen from the factory was when the jack was manufactured for another retailer such as Snap on. Walker started out Blue and white and over the years when they sold out to Lincoln they went to blue and Yellow.

Hiball · Jan 28, 2010

Thomas here are some pics of the badging, This jack is from the same era as yours. It doesnt have the fluting on the frame like yours but has similar art deco caster covers etc...

BB767 · Jan 28, 2010

ears said:
Since you got me googling floor jack pics, here is a pic of one like yours. Looks like white was original, you can see where the handle on this one was two tone at some point in time.

http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?100209/3444/1

Boy you nailed that one. It's a dead ringer for mine. It has a " nose ' piece between the two front wheels that is not on mine. There are some other small subtle differences on the cover plate but that's basically it. I see blue on the handle all the way up under the red. Just not as dark as it is further down. Thank you so much for posting that! Big :thumbup:

Thomas

bb1970 · Jan 29, 2010

Here's my old Walker jack. I didn't know what color they were. So I painted it blue metallic. Looks just like the one Hiball has.

Hiball · Jan 29, 2010

bb1970 said:
Here's my old Walker jack. I didn't know what color they were. So I painted it blue metallic. Looks just like the one Hiball has.

I think the original color was a bit lighter shade of blue but yours looks Great... I just picked up 2 more of those jacks lately.

toy_boy · Jul 9, 2010

Hi, guys. Newbie here. In the middle of a restoration project my Made in China unit I got for free a few months back finally gave out. I ALMOST went to HF, coupon in hand, till I read all the reviews on their jacks. Then as luck would have it I came across 2 working oldies that were being offered for sale; Blackhawk S-23 (1.5 ton) w/ 4 matching jack stands and a Walker 782 Series-D (2 ton).

Can anyone tell me what circa these guys are from? (Thanks in advance.)

Here's a pic of the Walker. I'll post a pic of the Blackhawk shortly.

CRTDI · Jul 9, 2010

I saw both the ads on CL for this Walker and the Blackhawk. I would have bought both of these as well if they weren't so far away from me. The asking prices seem very reasonable for both of them. Can't wait to see some detailed pics of your Blackhawk, you might want to post them here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278&highlight=show+jacks

Congrats on your new acquisitions. :thumbup:

Hiball · Jul 9, 2010

toy_boy said:
Hi, guys. Newbie here. In the middle of a restoration project my Made in China unit I got for free a few months back finally gave out. I ALMOST went to HF, coupon in hand, till I read all the reviews on their jacks. Then as luck would have it I came across 2 working oldies that were being offered for sale; Blackhawk S-23 (1.5 ton) w/ 4 matching jack stands and a Walker 782 Series-D (2 ton).

Can anyone tell me what circa these guys are from? (Thanks in advance.)

Here's a pic of the Walker. I'll post a pic of the Blackhawk shortly.

Id guess the series D 782 is from the Early Mid 40's and im not real sure about the Blackhawk but i would guess somewhere from the Mid 40's to the 50's depending on the deco styling of yours of course.

toy_boy · Jul 9, 2010

CRTDI said:
I saw both the ads on CL for this Walker and the Blackhawk. I would have bought both of these as well if they weren't so far away from me. The asking prices seem very reasonable for both of them. Can't wait to see some detailed pics of your Blackhawk, you might want to post them here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278&highlight=show+jacks

Congrats on your new acquisitions.

Thanks. Yeah, I feel fortunate to have come across them at the same time. Was even able to talk down the Walker, so I got it for just $5 more than I paid for the Blackhawk. Both were just minutes from one another, and only a 30 minute drive from my home. I'll post more pics on the thread you gave later this evening.

Sincerely appreciate the info, Hiball. They both currently work well, but I think I'll stock up on a repair kit for each for future use.

Hiball · Jul 9, 2010

toy_boy said:
Sincerely appreciate the info, Hiball. They both currently work well, but I think I'll stock up on a repair kit for each for future use.

I would like to sell you kits now, but if there not required i would hold off till they are. That way you know you are getting the freshest kits as Orings, Packing will harden over time even on the shelf.

Rebuild Old Walker Floor Jack??

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