Air compressor rebuild

[MrKona]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Saylor Beall air compressor, but unfortunately, it's very small... model B-212, single piston, 1/2 HP motor. I need something a little bigger while staying within the limitations of my 115v wired garage. I was searching Craigslist and found a familiar looking pump for $25. I say familiar because I've seen versions of this older pump from Sears, Campbell Hauseld, Champion, Grainger, and probably a few others. I bought it from someone who had a couple of pumps in a storage unit. I soon deduced that it needed a rebuild. Since this is such a popular pump, I'm posting some pics of the rebuild in the hope that it might help someone else here.

When I tore it apart the insides looked like it had been at the bottom of a lake for a few years.

 

[MrKona]

You'll notice that the valves were rusted and one was broken. My intention was to simply clean up the cylinder head assembly and install new valves. Of course, while removing the last screw that holds the last valve, I broke the head off the screw. I tried drill it out but it was no use. Only choice was to buy a new head assembly from Campbell Hausfeld. The cylinder head assembly included new valves and gaskets. I also bought new rings and bearings. For reference, here is the parts list. Note that the B1316 needle bearing and retaining rings (for the wrist pins) did not fit this unit. Per the part diagram they would, but once I tried fitting them, realized they were the wrong parts.

 

[MrKona]

I replaced the bronze bearings with needle bearings. For the record, the crankshaft needle bearings are identical 3/4" ID, 1"OD, 3/4" width. To replace the wrong bearing from CH, I bought a Koyo Torrington B-1212. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006KT1DKQ/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The flywheel side bearing is easy to remove, as you can simply press it out. The opposite side bearing is a dead end, so I used a pilot bearing removal tool and slide hammer I borrowed from AutoZone. Pulled it out like butter. The bearing tool is part number 27059.

 

[MrKona]

Time to blast and paint parts! The blasting process was very slow, as I was using my little S-B compressor. Blast a little, walk away and let the pump catch up, come back and blast a little, repeat... I then applied high temp primer and paint. VHT high temp engine metallic paint, Titanium Silver Blue SP403.

 

[MrKona]

Reassembly... I decided not to separate the pistons from connecting rods... no reason to. New piston rings, hardware, and the new cylinder head. The new cylinder head kit comes with gaskets and hardware. Only problem is that the long bolts were metric, whereas this old pump requires 5/16th, 6" bolts. I picked up new bolts at the local hardware store. You'll notice in one of the pictures that I have two cylinder pieces. That's right. Unfortunately, the cylinders on the part from the original compressor was too badly pitted from years in the lake. I picked up another used off Ebay in much better shape (this little compressor was getting more expensive then I anticipated).

 

[MrKona]

To my dismay, when I first installed the crankshaft and spun the crank, I noticed that the shaft were the flywheel attaches had a wobble, easily seen by naked eye. With the dial indicator, I measured the wobble at .03". With the flywheel installed, the wobble was really evident.

This is where my Harbor Freight 12 ton press saved the day. (this little press is kind of flimsy but has paid for itself many times over in my garage). I clamped the crankshaft/flywheel assembly to the frame of the press and then applied careful force to the crankshaft lobe. I remeasured the wobble and it was down to .0002". Good enough for me!

 

[Justin1776]

Very nice work!

 

[MrKona]

And finally installed! I bought a 3450 rpm Baldor 1.5hp motor which draws 12.5 amps at full load, and a 1.75" pulley. If my math is correct, this turns the pump at 604 rpm, within spec.

I bent 3/8" OD copper tubing from the pump to the switch/tank.

It was a fun project. This pump certainly fills the tank much faster than the Saylor Beall pump. I notice that it get's much hotter than the Saylor Beall. Whereas the SB head got warm, this pump gets hot, and the copper air pipe will burn if touched.

I'm on the search for a SB model D-412 pump or even a model 703 pump, both of which are rated for 1.5hp. If anyone has one laying around, please let me know. Hope this thread was entertaining.

 

[stuk4x4]

Nice job.
Walt

 

[Modifieddriver]

Great thread. This gives me some inspiration to rebuild the similar pump on my Grainger Speedaire compressor that's been in service since the early 70's. It's starting to blow oil into the lines.

The piston ring set you purchased, was that price for one or both pistons? Kinda' pricey if it's just one.

If it wasn't for the fact that I bought this compressor new, I wouldn't do the rebuild. It's always been in a marginal area fulfilling my air requirement needs.

 

[DekeT]

Great thread. This gives me some inspiration to rebuild the similar pump on my Grainger Speedaire compressor that's been in service since the early 70's. It's starting to blow oil into the lines.

The piston ring set you purchased, was that price for one or both pistons? Kinda' pricey if it's just one.

If it wasn't for the fact that I bought this compressor new, I wouldn't do the rebuild. It's always been in a marginal area fulfilling my air requirement needs.

I rebuilt a SB 705 pump recently. The OEM ring set cost me $70+ for both pistons.

 

[MrKona]

The piston ring set you purchased, was that price for one or both pistons? Kinda' pricey if it's just one.

Hi - Glad you enjoyed the thread. The kit included rings for both pistons.

 

[CNGsaves]

Great work on the compressor rebuild. It really turned out nice!!

I think I may have similar old pump. It's a "hand-me-down" that neighbor gave to me. However, I'm sure one of the reed valves are broke as it won't build pressure anymore.

How did you determine model of compressor and where did you purchase the rebuild parts?? Any other resources that I should pursue??

 

[MrKona]

Great work on the compressor rebuild. It really turned out nice!!

I think I may have similar old pump. It's a "hand-me-down" that neighbor gave to me. However, I'm sure one of the reed valves are broke as it won't build pressure anymore.

How did you determine model of compressor and where did you purchase the rebuild parts?? Any other resources that I should pursue??

Thank you!

I determined the part number by perusing the internet and finding pumps that looked like mine. There are a couple places I found to buy replacement parts:

Campbell Hausfeld: Just go to this page and type in the part numbers I included in my earlier post:

http://www.chpower.com/advancedsearch/

Or Grainger at this link:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/seo/ecatalog/N-ae4Z1z0nbbg?BV_UseBVCookie=No

Or Master Tool Repair at this link:

http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/speedaire-2z499a-2z499b-2z630b-p-39994.html

I'm also attaching a document with the specs for these compressors. My compressor has 2 3/4" cylinders, comparable to 2Z499. I think someone else on this board had posted these specs awhile back - thank you to whomever that was.

 

[ddookie]

My Campbell hausfeld pump is very similar to yours however mine uses 1/2"" copper tubing from the pump to the tank , you may consider using 1/2" tubing , BTW great job on the rebuild.

 

[G_P]

I would try to use 1/2" copper as well. Mine uses 1/2" and it still gets kinda hot.

Great job on the rebuild though!

Sent from my C5120 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Trey T]

Any photo of your rebuild?

I rebuilt a SB 705 pump recently. The OEM ring set cost me $70+ for both pistons.

 

[thorzite]

your a lifesaver, that last doc you posted gave me all I need to do my rebuild.

 

[Ad13]

Nicely done!

 

[1950mercury]

I hope you used some red loctite on the vavle screws...that style pump is famous for the scrrws backing out and putting nice holes in the top of the pistons. What did you use to hone the cyl. Walls for the new rings?

 

[kenfain]

Good read, nice pics. Very helpful. Thank you. But what are you gonna do with the too small sb. pump?

 

[j.c.whitney]

Very nice work Mr Kona!

 

[kams1973]

I hope you used some red loctite on the vavle screws...that style pump is famous for the scrrws backing out and putting nice holes in the top of the pistons. What did you use to hone the cyl. Walls for the new rings?

He updated the pump w/ a newer style head and valve plate. I don't think he'll be having any issued with the common screw related failure.

 

[kraneman]

On those older style pumps, that don't have the valve plate, I have used rivets in place of those destructive little screws. and they hold up nicely never had one become loose.

 

[Lingus]

Mr. Kona I sent you a pm.

 

[Lingus]

. Kona,

I registered here because I did a google search for rebuilding my compressor pump and found your rebuild info.

So I'm running into the same problem with the new head kit..... metric bolts. But here's my question. The kit comes with this big thick silver gasket and I don't know if I'm to use it or not. Directly under the head there is a rubber o-ring isolating the high side. I used no gasket here. Under the valve plate I used the green gasket.

Here's a photo of the the entire head kit. The gasket in question is in the lower left of the photo.

https://www.factoryaircompressorpar...-FOR-CAMPBELL-OLDER-VT-PUMPS-271281478034.jpg


Can you help? Thanks in advance.