Compressor Restoration-Final Assembly

[burgie]

Well...15 months or so ago I bought my used Curtis 80-gallon, 5HP with E-50 2-stage pump air compressor for a restoration project.

I now have the overhaul kit, spare parts, seals, gaskets and everything to put it back together...

Here are a few initial pics showing the bare block, the new stainless steel drain assembly I fabricated and the pump components awaiting final assembly!!!

I'll post more throughout the day as I proceed...

Burgie

 

[cowboy73]

Looking great so far!

 

[burgie]

Seals, gaskets, etc. for the pump...

The high pressure piston wrist pin bushing on the connecting rod was worn bad when I bought it (see my old threads)...so I needed a new wrist pin, piston & rod. I couldn't buy just the wrist pin roller bearing for the rod so I had to order the complete rod assembly...

Interestingly enough the overhaul kit also came with 2 new low pressure connecting rods. I am very mechanical and could easily have pressed in new bushings. I hate to see the other rods sit around and collect dust all for a $2 bushing...

Oh well...

 

[Chandos]

The hour meter is very slick. Can you post a closeup?

Cheers!

Chandos

 

[burgie]

The hour meter is made by ENM and I got it from Grainger. It is for 230V operation and is wired to the magnetic starter with chrome coil sheathing I got from work (they were going to throw a bunch away...so I gladly accepted it)...

It happen to fit perfectly in s standard 4" metal electrical work box with round plug cover...so I painted it hammered Copper and mounted it on chrome bushings...

 

[koditten]

You need to send this to Curtis compressors. Ask for some new decals. They would love the free advertisement.

Absolutly stunning work!

Could this be called compressor ****?

KO

 

[burgie]

Back end plate on and crankshaft installed. I have big hands so I'll install the front plate once the rods are installed...it'll give me extra room to hold the rod caps...

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Beautiful work!
Question...when I was shopping for a new compressor last year I was told by many people to stay away from old ones because of rust in the tanks and possible blow outs..particularly on older ones....made sense to me so I quickly ended my CL shopping and started shopping new. Ended up buying a cheaper unit (Puma Single Stage 60 Gal) so I would at least have a new tank to which I can upgrade with a nice pump down the road...Did you do anything special in the tank or have it inspected/tested?

 

[bsaint]

Just buy a old unit and mount it on a new tank.

 

[burgie]

This tank was made in 1983 and the tank on the Saylor Beall I just bought for restoration was made in 1958. Both had some internal surface rust but both also held pressure perfectly and both are very sound.

These were also probably much thicker metal than the metal they use in tanks these days. I would also think that location and maintenance has a lot to do with tank condition. If the system is left outside all the time (say, under a garage port or something) it may not fair as well as a system indoors. Plus...regular (as in daily) draining of the tank will prolong their life.

Either way...I prefer the older units...

 

[bsaint]

Well I was referring to anyone in love with a certain pump but unsure about the tank.

 

[RickP330]

Could this be called compressor ****?

KO

Absolutely! Too bad I opend this at work! A little alone time please LOL
RP

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Well I was referring to anyone in love with a certain pump but unsure about the tank.

Bingo...down the road, doing something like this would interest me (Old pump head on my new tank)...if I can find a rebuildable 2 stage head...the older rebuildable, built to last stuff is much nicer I agree.

 

[burgie]

Encountered a small delay. The small screws that hold the splash lubrication rods spring lookin' things on the bottom of the rod caps was slightly smaller on the new rods so I had to run to town to get new 4mm x 0.8 screws...

But...rods are on, torqued and the front cover in on and torqued as well.

Pistons next...

 

[CNGsaves]

Stunning rebuild on a quality compressor. EXCELLENT work !!

Please post pics of inner workings of air valves, etc.

 

[930dreamer]

Nice work on the compressor, be prepared to post a video when it's finished.

 

[burgie]

New high pressure piston installed and cylinder torqued...

 

[burgie]

Gotchya covered on that 930...you've been following this since i started bro!!!

 

[burgie]

All 3 cylinders are on and the crankcase has fresh oil...

Heads next...

 

[burgie]

Heads on & torqued...

 

[Ben Buck]

Bob, good looking refurb on that compressor. What was the thread on the stainless oil drain unit that you have? I have a 1986 Sandborn unit, the oil drain drain is 10mx1.50 thread, I was hoping to put either a 1/8 or 1/4 pipe thread on it to extend the drain, so it wouln't run all over the place. Did you drill and and tap a new hole to make it work?

 

[burgie]

Ben...the thread on the block for the drain port is a standard 3/4" NPT on my compressor. To me...a 1/8" NPT or even a 1/4" NPT "seems" too small for an oil drain...but I am by no means an expert...

 

[burgie]

Air intake and crankcase vent tube installed...

 

[WHT]

Really looks great!

 

[burgie]

Cylinder-to-cylinder air delivery lines installed...

 

[burgie]

Flywheel installed & torqued and aligned with Baldor sheave w/ belts installed...

 

[JASTECH]

Bob, That Sir looks good. I been keeping my left eyeball peeled on this here thread. I have a Quincy QR 120 gal. that will need sandblasted and so forth.
>
Thanks, JASTECH

 

[kams1973]

I remember the original thread. I've restored and rebuilt several air compressors as well. Your work makes my past projects look like childs play.

 

[burgie]

OK...so I made a short video clip of the compressor running using my iPhone but can't upload a *.mov file???

 

[cnc-me]

Looks very nice, good job.

 

[racingtadpole]

I have compressor envy. Thats some very neat work.

Bob, good looking refurb on that compressor. What was the thread on the stainless oil drain unit that you have? I have a 1986 Sandborn unit, the oil drain drain is 10mx1.50 thread, I was hoping to put either a 1/8 or 1/4 pipe thread on it to extend the drain, so it wouln't run all over the place. Did you drill and and tap a new hole to make it work?

A hydraulics place should be able to supply you with an M10 to 1/8 or 1/4 adaptor.

 

[Ben Buck]

Thanks Tadpole, for that info on the drain plug. I didn't think of that. I hope I'm not hijacking Bob's thread with this!

 

[burgie]

It's all compressor talk Ben. It's cool to deviate now and then!!!

 

[Trey T]

Yes you can upload your iphone .mov file to Youtube.

Youtube is the best place to host video, HD or not. It's fast!

OK...so I made a short video clip of the compressor running using my iPhone but can't upload a *.mov file???

 

[Chuck McB]

Really nice job. Makes me want to go home and clean and wax mine!

 

[strutaeng]

burgie, your work is stunning!

I have a similar Curtis pump (ES-100), except mine is slightly larger and single-stage.

I have a few questions:

What does the line from the breather to the center piston air filter do? My breather just has a rubber cap with some openings

How did remove the flywheel? I gave up on mine when I tried to remove and build a beltguard around it. I tried a 3 jaw puller and a bunch of other tools, but I never broke it loose.

Did you get that hour meter from Grainger? I have been wanting to install one on mine.

Keep up the great work!

 

[zakmartin]

Beautiful job! I wish more people would take the time to refurbish quality tools instead of scrapping them and replacing with junk.

 

[burgie]

Thanks for all the kind comments!!!

Strutaeng:

1) That breather line was there when I bought the compressor. A compressor doesn't have combustion (like gasoline engines, etc.) so there are no exhaust gases to worry about. Nevertheless, the placement (it enters the back of the filter housing pre-filter) asuggests that there is a slighy suction on the line so it must just collect crankcase gases...and act like a PCV on a car. Seems logical to me...

2) Flywheel came off rather easily on mine. I mean, I used a 3-jaw puller but only required a wrench with hand power...not an impact wrench cranking wide open with max torque. I am a huge believer in PB Blaster...love that stuff...so gove the shaft a few sprays over a couple days and let it soak in and then try again...I bet it'll pop right off!!

3) This is the hour meter I purchased: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ENM-Hour-Meter-2PAR2?Pid=search

Hope this helps my friend...

 

[burgie]

OK...so I am NOT an Academy Award winning producer...but here is a quick video clip of my compressor starting and running. It is a bit louder because the air is discharging into the shop as opposed to going into the tank (I am getting a new tube bent tomorrow morning). But...ya get the idea...

I'll post another once the new copper tube is installed!!!

 

[fury9]

Very nice! Baby hums right along