Champion Porta-Champ refurb

[j.c.whitney]

About 15 years ago I purchased a Champion Porta-Champ model 7B7P compressor. The Avocado Green with whitewall tires gives it that classic 1960's groove. No idea of how old it really is but 45 years wouldn't surprise me. It has been a handy little compressor to have around and much to my recent dismay had developed what sounded like a rod knocking noise! Time to source some bearings and rebuild the pump.

 

[uniballer]

I have one someone painted yellow, not so sure the name is the same. Nifty little things.

 

[j.c.whitney]

So I looked online to find a source for some rebuild parts and didn't come up with much except saw this on ebay for $79.99 shipped...

 

[j.c.whitney]

Here is the link to the ad from ebay, scroll down and behold!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221227856081&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123
Don't know if the link works or not but trust me, I quickly closed the deal with Buy it Now!
Here is the Grainger link for the same item...
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CHAMPION-Air-Compressor-Pump-5FTU1
So now I await the Holiday weekend and plan to spend some quality time working on my compressor.
Stay tuned.

 

[j.c.whitney]

I now have all the individual part numbers for the Champion B1 Pump now known as the model 2z157B, 1z934B, or 2z203b, if anyone needs them. Life used to be a lot simpler back in the day...

 

[j.c.whitney]

New Pump installed. Nice and quiet operation again. That was $80 well spent getting the compressor working again. The last picture is some good Compressor oil imo.

 

[ilovevocs]

Great value, nice work!

 

[j.c.whitney]

Can anyone recommend some sort of inline water/oil/particle separator for use on small compressors like this? I don't do any painting but have a Milton Inflator gauge and don't want to plug or gum it up.

 

[All]

I recently read on this forum in another thread somewhere, I believe from fixnair (who I think fixes air compressors for a living) that the rod knocking noise sometimes merely indicates a loose belt.

With that in mind, could just the fact that you of course tightened the belt when you reinstalled the pump (any pump) have fixed it?

Or could you hear a different sound in the new pump after rotating both by hand?

I have the same issue with an old Speedaire that I rebuilt 25 years ago, but that developed a rod knocking noise about 10 years afterward. My solution at the time was to replace the compressor, but I kept the old Speedaire. Now I'm wondering if I just need to tighten the belt again. Whenever I get around to unburying that Speedaire, that's what I'm going to try first.

Either way, I wouldn't get rid of your old avocado green pump.

 

[j.c.whitney]

When I disassembled the compressor and replaced the pump several things became apparent. The flywheel/pulley was loose on the pump shaft, the pulley was loose on the electric motor, both pulleys were misaligned, and the plastic belt cover/protective shroud/mounting brackets showed signs of interference with the moving parts. The loose pulleys may have been migrating in and out, hitting the belt cover or brackets holding it. The woodruff keys and keyways aren't buggered up on the pump or motor. Drained the oil on the old pump and can see no metal chips or foreign objects; the oil is clear and clean. There is very little end float on the pump shaft. Just turning by hand it is as smooth as silk. Eighty dollars later I also have doubts the old pump was worn out or there was a rod knocking.

 

[All]

Thank you very much for reporting back, JCWhitney. I'm sorry that you outlayed that 80 bucks, but I am grateful to have this lesson confirmed through your experience.

If it helps you feel any better, for the same sound that I heard, I am out a good $1,600.00, the combined cost of all the compressors I've purchased since my original one developed the rod knock that I never bothered to look at. I'd be tempted to put the original Avocado green pump back on, and then store the new to you pump for future use, or sell it and recoup your costs.

This has been educational for us both, because I know that rod knocking sound that you are talking about. It sounds like the rod, crank, and pistons are wrecking havoc. I only recently learned that a mere misalignment of the belt, pulley, flywheel and alignment can make a misleading noise like that.

 

[j.c.whitney]

Going to refit the old pump again and see what happens. Not the first time my ears have deceived me. Will report back with findings.

 

[All]

NOW THAT WOULD BE SUPER AWESOME!!! That's taking it for the Garage Journal team right thar. We would all benefit from knowing the results.

In fact, before taking it apart, how about doing BullDuck's idea of measuring the sound with the new pump right now (he uses some type of free smart phone app that measures in db), and then wrench away, and do the same test with the old pump back on nice and tight?

If you do decide to do the sound measurement test, be sure and put the compressor in the exact same position for each test. Note if shop doors and windows are open or closed, and try to replicate the environment for each test as near as practical.

I'm looking forward to your results with the old pump back on!

 

[Atabuoy]

About 15 years ago I purchased a Champion Porta-Champ model 7B7P compressor. The Avocado Green with whitewall tires gives it that classic 1960's groove. No idea of how old it really is but 45 years wouldn't surprise me. It has been a handy little compressor to have around and much to my recent dismay had developed what sounded like a rod knocking noise! Time to source some bearings and rebuild the pump.

Did you ever source a manual?
Mine is circa early’90’s. Other than colour….looks the same?