Blackhawk SJ-18 Floor Jack - Another Resto Thread

[bulletpruf]

Fellas -

Scored a Blackhawk SJ-18 floor jack from fellow GJ member WaltzW. Jack functions fine, but has a broken handle and needs some serious cosmetic help.

I had it shipped to a buddy of mine in Fayetteville, NC. He'll restore for me. Would have restored myself, but I'm stationed in Korea now and headed to Italy in June.

Found what appears to be an NOS hardware/seal kit on eBay so I picked one up. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Bla...hash=item3cf364c986&item=261781506438&vxp=mtr

A few questions -

Anyone know of a source for a new/used handle?

There are a few sources for Blackhawk parts; does anyone have recommendations on who to use?

Thanks,

Scott














What I love about buying stuff from folks like WaltzW -- the packaging. Suitable for shipping something worth 10X as much.

 

[SweetD]

Sweet - those jacks are so sleek looking! You're not kidding with the packaging either - nice job WaltzW...

Wonder if that handle is repairable rather than replacement?



Dave

 

[Hiball]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that NOS seal kit is for a blackhawk bumper jack (J-18) not a SJ-18, the little pump piston is a dead giveaway. I would also caution anyone thinking about buying NOS kits, especially something 30+ years old, more than likely those seals are kaput. I would also caution you from investing the $100 bucks on a seal kit prior to securing all required hard parts needed for the jack to function correctly, I think the average is probably fairly close to 1 in 10 in regards to members who successfully refurbish S4-SJ-18 blackhawk jacks, they take some knowledge and specialty blackhawk specific tools to "correctly" installs seals without damaging components, and you guessed it.. You will be making them, can't be bought.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Thanks for the info on the rebuild kit Hiball, it saved me a few bucks. I was about to grab one for whenever I finally get to my SJ18.

 

[930dreamer]

We seriously need to start 3D printing some replacement Blackhawk parts. Nice jack by the way. I'm not sure if the SJ handle is the same as the S4 jack.

 

[Hiball]

Thanks for the info on the rebuild kit Hiball, it saved me a few bucks. I was about to grab one for whenever I finally get to my SJ18.

It's possible that you might get lucky on some of the leather piston seals, but I've got boxes of NOS Walker/weaver kits and even sealed and stored in drawers out of sunlight/elements some of the packing has started to show signs of breaking down. IMO the Reward isn't worth the Risk, more so with any poly/bunaN material.

 

[bulletpruf]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that NOS seal kit is for a blackhawk bumper jack (J-18) not a SJ-18, the little pump piston is a dead giveaway. I would also caution anyone thinking about buying NOS kits, especially something 30+ years old, more than likely those seals are kaput. I would also caution you from investing the $100 bucks on a seal kit prior to securing all required hard parts needed for the jack to function correctly, I think the average is probably fairly close to 1 in 10 in regards to members who successfully refurbish S4-SJ-18 blackhawk jacks, they take some knowledge and specialty blackhawk specific tools to "correctly" installs seals without damaging components, and you guessed it.. You will be making them, can't be bought.

Hiball -

Was hoping you would chime in.

I'll see if the seller will cancel my purchase price.

The jack apparently holds right now -- no leak down. Pretty sure it was tested with a load. Still would prefer to go through it and install new seals since it will be all the way apart.

What needs the specialty tools? Just the ram/cylinder? My buddy can handle the cleanup, bodywork and paint. Could I just have him send the cylinder to a specialist to rebuild?

Thanks

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

We seriously need to start 3D printing some replacement Blackhawk parts. Nice jack by the way. I'm not sure if the SJ handle is the same as the S4 jack.

Handle looks the same, thanks for posting the picture.

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

It's possible that you might get lucky on some of the leather piston seals, but I've got boxes of NOS Walker/weaver kits and even sealed and stored in drawers out of sunlight/elements some of the packing has started to show signs of breaking down. IMO the Reward isn't worth the Risk, more so with any poly/bunaN material.

When you refer to getting lucky with leather piston seals, are you saying that the ones in the cylinder might be re-useable?

Thanks

Scott

 

[Hiball]

Hiball -

Was hoping you would chime in.

I'll see if the seller will cancel my purchase price.

The jack apparently holds right now -- no leak down. Pretty sure it was tested with a load. Still would prefer to go through it and install new seals since it will be all the way apart.

What needs the specialty tools? Just the ram/cylinder? My buddy can handle the cleanup, bodywork and paint. Could I just have him send the cylinder to a specialist to rebuild?

Thanks

Scott

The compression nuts on this unit requires a socket with offset pins that will clear the Ram/Pistons so you can correctly torque them down. Unfortunately a lot of shops use punches, but because these adjusting nuts are deep in the bore the drive angle damages the compression nut by asserting outward pressure on the slots that can/do damage ram surface do to mushrooming the nut and creating excess wear on the ram surface.

When you refer to getting lucky with leather piston seals, are you saying that the ones in the cylinder might be re-useable?

Thanks

Scott

No, I was referencing NOS kits and there components. If your going to tear the jack down, I advise replacing the Vee's/Packing.

 

[MartyMcGiver]

Hey, I just also scored a Blackhawk SJ-18 floor jack in restorable condition. I am missing a Blackhawk frame cover if anyone knows where to find one.

 

[ben98gs]

Hey, I just also scored a Blackhawk SJ-18 floor jack in restorable condition. I am missing a Blackhawk frame cover if anyone knows where to find one.

Marty, I too just recently found one on Craigslist locally. Maybe we can help each other out during restorations. I need a cover as well, but figure we might have to do something like have one 3D printed in nylon/plastic.

I need rear casters... Does yours still have some you can remove and provide dimensions?

 

[bulletpruf]

Updating this thread...my buddy in NC that was going to restore it never touched it.

After I finished my tour in Korea in 2015, we spent 3 years in Italy and got back to the states last year.

I cleaned out my storage unit in North Carolina where this jack was stored a few months ago. Finally got around to opening up the crate today.

I will probably end up selling it if anyone is interested. I have 4 cars and about 3 dozen chainsaws that need attention before I'll get started on this and my storage space is limited.

Scott

 

[Mike.ASC]

What do you want for it?

Mike

 

[bulletpruf]

What do you want for it?

Mike

I've got a tad over $500 invested. Price is $400 + shipping. If you pick up in San Antonio, I'll knock $50 off the price.