Blackhawk S4 for resto

[Benryanuk]

So I picked this up today.. it’s a beast and I’ve no real need for it but it will make an interesting project - a lot of work!



It seems to work well and holds a load without problem.

Anyone have a spare lens ;-)


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The lens is always tough. Nice jack!

 

[Benryanuk]

Started to break down the pieces by taking out the hydraulic unit - this thing is filthy. The jack worked well so I’m not planning to take the unit apart, just change the oil and clean it


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Benryanuk]

Some photos.




Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[930dreamer]

We need a good lens from someone, so it can be scanned and a reproduction made. I need two also.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes! 3d print one

 

[Benryanuk]

Yeah might give that a go..


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Benryanuk]

I jet washed it earlier today and it came up good.






Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice

 

[Unruh]

Those jacks are cool. Great work!

 

[thehorse13]

I did one of those a few years back. They work great and look even better. I've attached a few things that will be useful to you plus a finished product pic of mine.

 

[jabberwoki]

I think Todd was talking about making the lenses at one point.
Busy as he is though I don`t know.
I need one too and a switch.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I kinda like it how it is. Nice patina!

 

[wrenchguy]

I kinda like it how it is. Nice patina!

yep, if here it'd be a user.

 

[Benryanuk]

Yeah the patina is kinda cool


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[HoldenHR1966]

Where the handle meets the base sometimes the unijoint is broken and needs TIG welding. Getting the broken UNI joint out of the small handle hole is very tricky... Can take hours!

The old blackhawks sometimes have different thickness steel in different sides of the jack.

Getting a KIT online for $200 Australian means getting only about half of the seals that
you actually need. Then it gets interesting finding ones locally to fabricate.

The old blackhawk jacks have a lifting arm that doesn't have internal cross bracing when it gets bent it is worth lazercutting new lifting arm and welding together.

But worse Yet is that Blackhawk during the WAR years pumped out jacks that were welded out of alignment, so they would not work optimally... Have a close look. I designed and lazer cut a new one and welded together with 8 mill plate so its much stronger.... AND most importantly it now has cross bracing, and it lifts straight and not on an angle... Its unbelievable how badly they were made...

Oh and When I said I completely stripped mine apart and remade new parts... I mean completely stripped it apart... Full reconstruction, made now for 2.5 tonnes... not the original 1.5 tonnes.

 

[DD T/A]

Where the handle meets the base sometimes the unijoint is broken and needs TIG welding. Getting the broken UNI joint out of the small handle hole is very tricky... Can take hours!

The old blackhawks sometimes have different thickness steel in different sides of the jack.

Getting a KIT online for $200 Australian means getting only about half of the seals that
you actually need. Then it gets interesting finding ones locally to fabricate.

The old blackhawk jacks have a lifting arm that doesn't have internal cross bracing when it gets bent it is worth lazercutting new lifting arm and welding together.

But worse Yet is that Blackhawk during the WAR years pumped out jacks that were welded out of alignment, so they would not work optimally... Have a close look. I designed and lazer cut a new one and welded together with 8 mill plate so its much stronger.... AND most importantly it now has cross bracing, and it lifts straight and not on an angle... Its unbelievable how badly they were made...

Oh and When I said I completely stripped mine apart and remade new parts... I mean completely stripped it apart... Full reconstruction, made now for 2.5 tonnes... not the original 1.5 tonnes.

Do you have any pictures or the new one? specifically the new modifications you made, as a guide for others in the future?

Do you have the drawings for the new parts you made?

I am surprised to hear they were kinda crappy units at certain times.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Where the handle meets the base sometimes the unijoint is broken and needs TIG welding. Getting the broken UNI joint out of the small handle hole is very tricky... Can take hours!

The old blackhawks sometimes have different thickness steel in different sides of the jack.

Getting a KIT online for $200 Australian means getting only about half of the seals that
you actually need. Then it gets interesting finding ones locally to fabricate.

The old blackhawk jacks have a lifting arm that doesn't have internal cross bracing when it gets bent it is worth lazercutting new lifting arm and welding together.

But worse Yet is that Blackhawk during the WAR years pumped out jacks that were welded out of alignment, so they would not work optimally... Have a close look. I designed and lazer cut a new one and welded together with 8 mill plate so its much stronger.... AND most importantly it now has cross bracing, and it lifts straight and not on an angle... Its unbelievable how badly they were made...

Oh and When I said I completely stripped mine apart and remade new parts... I mean completely stripped it apart... Full reconstruction, made now for 2.5 tonnes... not the original 1.5 tonnes.

Outstanding

 

[Benryanuk]

So I’ve been slowly taking the jack apart for cleaning, repairs where needed and finally paint. The hydraulics seem fine so I’m leaving the unit alone - apart from replacing the gasket and oil. Unfortunately the cover plate is bent and I’m struggling to straighten it.. any ideas or tips to help with that?






Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[HoldenHR1966]

1. Straightening out the Cover plate should be fairly straightforward. Use a couple of blocks of wood either side to prevent Hammer impact marks.
2. The top of the light mechanism is also bent in the photo. I might be tempted to heat it a little and gently using pliers move the ring holder for the lens back into shape.
3. The front wheel axle has blind pins through it from the frame going halfway through the axle. It is worthwhile to remove these.
4. Check the lifting arm that it has not bent.
5. Consider welding small square pieces of steel plate into the underside of the lifting arm. This has a cross bracing effect to strengthen the jack considerably.
6. If you are going to remove the lifting arm, gently using grinder remove the outer peening from the shafts leaving as much depth as you can as you will have to MIG Weld a 'tag' on later to secure the shafts onto the outer frame.
7. I did include photos of my work and technical drawings in an earlier post called incorrectly "blackjack" instead of blackhawk jack.

 

[twertsy]

I think Todd was talking about making the lenses at one point.
Busy as he is though I don`t know.
I need one too and a switch.

Apologies Steve et al, I just saw this. While it's true, I do in fact have a lens, I cannot get it off the jack and am afraid to break it by putting too much pressure on it. I'm sure it's brittle as hell.

I'd welcome any ideas??

 

[davekp]

Just picked up a S4 in pretty sad shape. Very rusted up. Anyway, I'm going to try to get it working. Right now the issue I' m having is I can't get the handle out of the Yoke. Have been soaking with Kroil and applying heat- no luck so far. I will need a jack handle shaft, part # 72, Pump Plunger, part #16 and a jack handle control rod, Part # 59.

Any and all help much appreciated!
Thanks!!!!!
Dave

 

[gilbo]

Just picked up a S4 in pretty sad shape. Very rusted up. Anyway, I'm going to try to get it working. Right now the issue I' m having is I can't get the handle out of the Yoke. Have been soaking with Kroil and applying heat- no luck so far. I will need a jack handle shaft, part # 72, Pump Plunger, part #16 and a jack handle control rod, Part # 59.

Any and all help much appreciated!
Thanks!!!!!
Dave

I ran the jack handle yoke through electrolysis first.
Then I clamped the jack handle yoke (56) to a vise, then used the pipe wrench to get loose.

I've been back burner rebuilding my S4, everything is torn down and painted except jack handle, after that I'll start rebuilding the pump, seal kit is here. Hopefully in the next few weeks (probably turn into few more months)

 

[notlob]

Apologies Steve et al, I just saw this. While it's true, I do in fact have a lens, I cannot get it off the jack and am afraid to break it by putting too much pressure on it. I'm sure it's brittle as hell.

I'd welcome any ideas??

I have an S4 lens (with about 5 coats of paint), in the resto queue with my S4. If anyone would like measurements, pics, etc. in order to try to have some made, send me a PM.

 

[davekp]

I ran the jack handle yoke through electrolysis first.
Then I clamped the jack handle yoke (56) to a vise, then used the pipe wrench to get loose.

I've been back burner rebuilding my S4, everything is torn down and painted except jack handle, after that I'll start rebuilding the pump, seal kit is here. Hopefully in the next few weeks (probably turn into few more months)

Will try electrolysis on the yoke.

 

[Benryanuk]

I dry fitted mine back together.. still lots to do but it’s too cold at the moment and I won’t be able to paint and finish until the weathers warmer. I didn’t want it hanging around in pieces

Really back breaking cleaning this up.. the grease, mud, oil and grim was thick and not much shifted it.

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[gilbo]

I dry fitted mine back together.. still lots to do but it’s too cold at the moment and I won’t be able to paint and finish until the weathers warmer. I didn’t want it hanging around in pieces

Really back breaking cleaning this up.. the grease, mud, oil and grim was thick and not much shifted it.




Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Benryanuk did you rebuild the entire power unit????

 

[Benryanuk]

Benryanuk did you rebuild the entire power unit????

I didn’t rebuild the power unit, just cleaned out the old oil and gunk and filled it with fresh oil and made a new cork gasket. It doesn’t leak down so I’m confident the seals are good for now.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[gilbo]

Lucky you, mine was leaking down, yea that oil was nasty. Why did you replace it with a cork gasket. This gasket is way way better.

Yes that is what I found when I removed the cover

 

[Benryanuk]

Lucky you, mine was leaking down, yea that oil was nasty. Why did you replace it with a cork gasket. This gasket is way way better.

Yes that is what I found when I removed the cover

Hah yeah that pretty much looks the same as I had to deal with.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app